SIOUX CITY, Iowa — Missouri River Historical Development (MRHD) awarded $1.25 million in grants to nine Siouxland organizations today during its annual Impact Match Grant Awards Ceremony held in Encore Hall at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. The event brought together community leaders, volunteers, and representatives from local nonprofits, educational institutions, and governments to celebrate transformative projects that will enhance the region's quality of life.
    The Impact Match Grant is a competitive funding program providing grants ranging in amount from $25,000 to $250,000 to support large-scale projects that create significant impact in addressing the needs of the community and the organization's mission. Grantees must match 25% of their award and complete their projects within one year.
    Projects must also align with one or more of MRHD's grant focus areas including Economic Development, Community Improvement, Tourism, Health or Human Services, Civic, Public, Charitable, Patriotic, Religious, Leisure, Cultural, Historical or Education projects. Nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and local governments located in Woodbury County, or those in surrounding counties were eligible to apply.
    "These projects exemplify the collaborative spirit that makes Siouxland strong," said Sarah Kleber, MRHD Board President. "Each organization is addressing real community needs in innovative and effective ways, from mental health and education, to public safety and recreation. MRHD is proud to support their work and invest in a future where all of Siouxland thrives."
    Among the grant award winners was the Danbury Danbury Rec Center Board. According to Joann Treiber and Tiffany Schmidt, co-writers of the grant, the project is hoping to install a new official length batting cage for live pitching as well as fix up the one on the stage and install a HitTrax system that is technology to track and help hitters for baseball and softball of all ages. The new software allows you to have competitions and tournaments, which in turn would provide some income for the Rec Center. The grant will also be used to add new baseball and softball pitching machines. They also plan to replace the basketball hoops which are the original hoops from when the gym was built. The new ones will allow the rec board to lower them for the youth as currently youth ages cannot come close to the hoops and play at a lower regulation height. This will again open the gym for new opportunities for games and tournaments. The board also plans to spruce up the game room and add a few new games such as shuffle board, board games, coloring/craft supplies and activities for the after school daycare program for kids. They will also updating the weight room flooring and some of the weight equipment. Finally, they plan to repaint the gym and stage and install security cameras.
    This grant is contingent on the rec center board matching 25% of the grant, or $18,750. They welcome any donations towards this project. Donations can be sent to the rec center board through community club treasurer Dave Colbert at 111 Main St., Danbury, IA 51019, or drop them off at Colbert's Market. Please indicate that they are for the project.
    MRHD is the nonprofit Qualified Sponsoring Organization (QSO) that holds the license for casino gaming in Woodbury County and receives funding from an agreement with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Sioux City. Under Iowa law, a percentage of the casino's gaming revenues is allocated to MRHD for community development.
    MRHD has invested more than $36 million into Woodbury County and the Siouxland community since its partnership with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Sioux City formed in 2014, and the organization has invested more than $58 million since its grant program began in 1994.

    Danbury Catholic students have launched their third annual winter plant sale through Janet's Jungle. Order your poinsettias in various colors and sizes, fresh wreaths and gorgeous holiday porch pots. New this year are Christmas cactus in various colors, birch poles and 25-foot fresh fir and cedar garland.
    If you wish to donate any plants or greenery to St. Mary's Church in Danbury for the Christmas ambience, volunteers will store them and take care of them until it's time to add them to the Christmas decor. Please note on your order that they are to go to the church and if they are in memory or in honor of someone in particular.
    Order from a DC student, online at janetsjungle.com, or call Janelle at the Danbury rectory, 883-2406. Orders are due on Monday, November 10th. The items will arrive the week after Thanksgiving.

    Legion members from Anthon invite all to join them for a Veterans Day feast. Pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, beans, dinner roll and dessert will be served from 4:00 until 7:00 at the Anthon Events Center. This feast is served for a free will donation.
    Patrons have three options: Dine in, Carry out, or delivery (in Anthon). Please see the ad for more information.

    The Christmas baking season is coming soon. How's your mixer doing? Does it need an upgrade or replacement? Perhaps you know someone who could use a new mixer.
    The Cord Memorial Friends of the Library is holding a raffle of a KitchenAid mixer, donated by a generous patron. The stand mixer is at the library to view. Tickets are $5 each and available at the library, Janet's Beauty Shop, or Colbert's Market.
    The drawing will be held on Tuesday, November 11th at 10:00 a.m. during the weekly coffee. You need not be present to win.

    On Saturday October 18, the MVAO FFA held their 5th Annual Feed the Farmer. FFA members gathered at the school Saturday morning to pack meals and then hand deliver them to farmers in the fields. The week before consisted of preparing the meat, and getting supplies ready. The meal consisted of a pork loin sandwich, potato salad, chips, and a dessert made by one of the FFA officers. There were 15 members who helped package and/or deliver 227 meals! This year had the biggest number of meals yet. Thank you to all the members who helped, and thank you to all the farmers who ordered meals!

MVAO FFA Reporter,
Emma Pithan

    To the left, FFA members fill the carryout containers in preparation for delivering the meals. Photo submitted.

    The parishioners at Battle Creek Presbyterian Church invite all to stop at the church on Saturday between 5:00 and 7:00 to pick up a turkey meal to take home and enjoy.
    Carry out meals consisting of turkey and all the fixins are available for $12 each if a ticket has been purchased from any of the Shelby County State Bank locations locally or from the Presbyterian church in Battle Creek.
    Please plan to support the church.