Woodbury Community Foundation Awards $8K in Grants to Help Local Families

Woodbury, MN – The Woodbury Community Foundation (WCF) proudly awarded $8,000 in Community Grants to local non-profit organizations, which are helping kids in Woodbury, like John Degelmann’s young son.

“We’re the prime example of what a difference it can make in the life of a kid,” said John, whose son’s undetected eye issues were discovered at his preschool during a free KidSight screening by the Woodbury Lions Club. The Lions Club will use a 2019 WCF Community grant to help screen more kids in Woodbury.

“Thank you to both the Lions and the Woodbury Community Foundation,” said John.” It’s made a huge, a huge impact on my son’s life!” This was one of four Community Grants announced at Chef Fest, the Foundation’s annual major fundraiser.

Over 350 guests enjoyed great food by local chefs, while helping to make a difference in the community at Chef Fest, which was held at the historic John P. Furber Farm in Cottage Grove on Sunday, Nov. 3. Proceeds from this premier event in Woodbury supports the WCF Grants and Programs including Woodbury’s Citizen’s Academy, Woodbury’s Non-Profit Roundtable and Woodbury Thrives.

“Raising money to give it back to the community is at the heart of the
Woodbury Community Foundation,” said Roger Green, WCF Board Chair. “The most direct and visible means of giving back is through our Community Grants program.”

2019 Grant Award Winners include:

• SoWashCo CARES to help feed hungry kids
• Special Adventures to help adults with special needs
• Hope for the Journey Home to help families in transition
• Woodbury Lions Club Kidsight to help screen more kids

The WCF 2019 Grants Program funds up to $2,000 for each qualifying non-profit and supports improved community health and well-being, reducing hunger, increasing public safety and expanding youth development.

In addition to the grant to the Woodbury Lions Club KidSight program which can help improve learning and youth development, WCF also awarded a grant to SoWashCo CARES to help meet the needs of our underserved kids.

“When school is out, these kids can be at risk for going hungry. Through community partnerships with South Washington County Community Education, SoWashCo CARES is able to offer meals to families during these extended breaks,” said Cheryl Jogger, SoWashCo CARES. “Thank you so much for the support of our students. Our goal is to make sure our kids have what they need to succeed and with your help that will be possible.”

Another 2019 WCF Community Grant will assure a very special holiday for local adults with special needs. “We’re having a holiday event and we’re going to use all the money to purchase gifts for all the special needs adults at the event,” said Natalie Rankins, Special Adventures founder, whose son has special needs. ”We’re very, very thankful for this grant because a lot of
these people don’t get to go home, they don’t get Christmas gifts, and they don’t have a lot. So this is a really big deal to them.”

A 2019 WCF Community Grant to Hope for the Journey Home non-profit will help support local families in need by assuring safe and secure housing and daily hot nutritious meals. “When families are in a time of need and living here we provide for their basic housing needs and all their food needs,” said Patricia Brokman, Hope for the Journey Home. “The $2,000 grant from the Woodbury Community Foundation which will help with our food budget during this next year.”

These Community Grants were made possible thanks to a generous matching gift by the Ewing- Hrastich Family, local donors and supporters.

For more information visit the
Foundation: www.woodburyfoudation.org or call 651-505-7024.

About Woodbury Community Foundation: The Woodbury Community Foundation(www.woodburyfoundation.org) is a local philanthropic non-profit organization acting on behalf of thecommunity to meet the needs of our Woodbury residents.