The Starved Rock Country Community Foundation awarded $194,800 in grants Monday to eight nonprofits ranging from an historic summer camp to a new arts center.
The downtown Utica event featured former 76th District State Rep. Lance Yednock, his successor Murri Briel and several nonprofit leaders.
“Gratitude Abounds,” part of SRCCF’s 10th anniversary celebration, focused on grantsmade possible by an appropriation Yednock received at the close of the 2024 legislative session.
“Lance, as tonight’s theme attests, ‘gratitude abounds’ for your generosity and belief in the Starved Rock Country Community Foundation,” said SRCCF President Fran Brolley.
Grant recipients included:
- Camp Tuckabatchee, 1973 N. 35th Rd., Ottawa, $40,800 for roofing and wiring of its main lodge.
- Illinois Valley Food Pantry, 122 Wright St., LaSalle, $40,000 to assist with its purchase of a new home on Progress Boulevard in Peru.
- Arukah Institute of Healing, $35,000 to assist with the opening of a facility at 4211 N. Columbus St., Ottawa, former home of the LaSalle County Farm Bureau.
- Voluntary Action Center’s Meals on Wheels senior nutrition site at 1702 4th St., Peru, $34,000 for a freezer/fridge.
- Ottawa Center for the Arts, $15,000, to assist with an elevator upgrade at 910 Columbus St.
- Second Story Teen Center in Princeton, $10,000. The center recently moved to a new location at 125 S. Main St.
- LaSalle County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for children), $10,000 for volunteer training. And,
- Ottawa Children’s Exploreum, $10,000. The organization is seeking a downtown site.
Leaders from each nonprofit took the opportunity to share their missions and thank Yednock and SRCCF.
Camp Tuckabatchee board president Adrienne Pike said, “You have our sincerest gratitude. This grant has significantly improved safety for our facilities, campers and guests.”
SRCCF founder Pamela Beckett closed the program saying, “This evening, we celebrated grit, heart, and the power of small organizations doing mighty work. We didn’t just award grants – we invested in hope, in action, and in the belief that change begins at the community level.”
