Community foundation issues grants for art, local projects

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GREENFIELD — Several community organizations and public art projects received grants recently from the Hancock County Community Foundation, funding new art murals and local projects.

Mini grants through the Hancock County Enrichment Fund were issued to the Hancock County Probation Department, Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard, Hancock4Kids, and American Military Heritage Fund. The foundation also made grants through the Hancock County Public Art Fund to fund murals in Shirley, Greenfield and New Palestine.

Art grants were made to:

-New Palestine Main Street for $4,000, for a mural that is almost complete on the west side of the Elite Beverages Building on U.S. 52. This mural celebrates the rich heritage of the town of New Palestine from its founding in 1871 to now. Transportation and agriculture are the main themes. Mike McEvers was the artist for this mural.

– Shirley Community Visionaries for $3,700 to fund a new mural and two new benches. The Shirley mural, on the south side of the fire station on Main Street, was painted by local artist Rachel Holmes and celebrates the rich heritage of the town’s volunteer fire department.

-The latest mural in Greenfield for $7,000, a portrait of James Whitcomb Riley painted by Pam Bliss. Visible on North Street east of State Street, the mural was partially funded by the Hancock County Public Art Fund and partially through the Health and Heritage Region Pass-Through Fund, part of the Stellar Communities Plan.

Mini grants for community projects were made to:

-The Hancock County Probation Department, which is hoping to break the cycle of criminal behavior and lack of parental leadership that begins within the home with a new parent training program. This $964 grant will bring the “Parenting Inside Out” program to Hancock County. This is an evidence-based parenting skills training program developed for criminal justice-involved parents.

-Greenfield Veterans Honor Guard, which will use its $1,000 grant to replenish their supply of American flags. As their volunteers drive around the county, they stop and give a replacement flag to any resident or business displaying a torn or faded flag. They also provide instructions for how to properly display the flag.

-Hancock4Kids, which will use its $1,000 grant toward purchasing clothes and grocery gift cards for families in need. The Clothe-a-Child, Feed-a-Family program has transitioned from Elanco Animal Health to Hancock4Kids.

-The American Military Heritage Foundation, which are stewards of a World War II era twin-engine Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon named “Island Doll,” housed at the Mt. Comfort Regional Airport. The plane requires both propellers to be inspected by the Federal Aviation Administration. A $1,000 grant will go toward paying for that inspection.

These grants were issued from a pool of funds that is set aside each year to meet nonprofit organizations’ needs that arise outside of the major grant cycles. These Mini Grants can be made for up to $1,000 until the pool of money is exhausted.

Created by HCCF, the Enrichment Fund addresses a broad range of needs. The Enrichment Fund helps support long-term solutions; responds quickly to emergencies; and meets changing social, cultural, educational, and environmental needs in our local community.

HCCF provides philanthropic leadership by encouraging giving, learning, community pride and civic engagement.