Greene County Foundation grants keep youth, elderly in motion

Two recipients of the Greene County Community Support Grant from the Greene County Foundation will be using their funding to keep those they help in motion.

Bloomfield First Baptist Church’s Bright Beginnings Daycare was awarded $4,665 for improving its playground. Funding was primarily supported by the Greene County Education Fund, the Helen Hunter Community Support Fund, the Barkley Family Community Support Fund and the Farmers & Mechanics Community Support Fund, all housed at the Greene County Foundation.

Sharon Terrell of Bright Beginnings stated the money will be used to remove an estimated six inches of ground from the playground and replace the current sand with rubber mulch.

“It’s the safest option for our toddler playground,” she said.

The improvements have been in the works for several years, but money raised through fundraisers had to always be used on additional expenses, Terrell noted.

“We thought it was a gift from God to finally be able to get it done,” she said. “It was the answer to our prayers.”

Local Boy Scouts troops and men of the church will be helping with the project.

Bright Beginnings Daycare is open Monday to Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and will accept children from six weeks old up to sixth grade.

Generations was awarded $1,000 for its A Matter of Balance Program, which according to Director of Planning and Quality Assurance Cathy Jones will be used to purchase materials for the program. Funding for Generations’ grant was primarily supported by the Greene County Wellness Fund.

“The grant will go to helping us pay for travel expenses for guest professionals, snacks and materials we distribute,” Jones said.

According to Jones, A Matter of Balance is an evidence-based program developed by Stanford University which helps older adults who struggle with falling and the fear of falling.

“A lot of people think falling is in the nature of age. This isn’t true, and we teach people how to prevent falls or how to respond properly when they do fall,” she said.

Jones added the course can prove cost effective for those in attendance, stating those who with Medicare or Medicaid save on average more than $900 each year on medical costs.

“The program is done in a group setting of eight two-hour sessions, which usually meets once a week. We have two instructors and typically 10 to 15 per class,” Jones said. “We start with discussing the fear of falling, which can cause more falls. We want participants who will talk, as it helps open others up.”

Those taking part in the course will also be instructed in exercises which will help maintain mobility with no special equipment required.

“There are a lot of accommodations for people wanting to take the course,” Jones said.

A Matter of Balance is free to those wishing to take part.

The Greene County Foundation exists to be a vehicle for charitably minded individuals to leave a lasting legacy to the community. Through the establishment of endowments, donors can support financially the causes important to them. The Greene County Foundation holds over eight million in assets and has had a charitable impact in every school, library and community in Greene County. The Greene County Foundation annually awards over $300,000 in grants through fund payouts, competitive grants and student scholarships. Begun in 1997, the Greene County Foundation is one of 92 Community Foundations, one in each county in Indiana. The Foundations are private charitable organizations created to serve the public good. They receive their funding through contributions from generous donors.

For more information, visit greenecountyfoundation.org or call 812-659-3142.

Editor’s note: This is the third part in a four-part series following the recipients of the 2017 Community Support Grant.