FCS grants benefits Nodaway schools

SUBMITTED PHOTO
Kyle Schieber of FCS Financial, left, is shown presenting a grant to members of the West Nodaway R-I FFA chapter. Accepting the funds were Nataleigh Ecker, Nicki Honan (chapter advisor), Parker Ogle and Maddy Walker. A similar grant was awarded to the FFA chapter at Northeast Nodaway R-V School in Ravenwood.

BURLINGTON JUNCTION, Mo. — Shaping Rural Missouri grant funds from FCS Financial have recently benefited a pair of Nodaway County schools.

The Northeast Nodaway R-V and West Nodaway R-I school districts were both recipients of $500 grants from the company. Similar donations were awarded to more than 40 4-H or FFA groups statewide.

All of the grants were in support of community improvement projects to be completed by local FFA chapters and 4-H clubs by the end of the year. Nodaway was one of four counties to have more than one organization selected for funding.

The Northeast Nodaway FFA project embraces an outdoor classroom and meeting space on the Ravenwood campus that should be partially completed by the time school starts this fall.

At West Nodaway in Burlington Junction, FFA advisor Nicki Honan chose to build two benches and landscape the entrance to the elementary school.

“I knew the grant was available, so I asked the principal for ideas for around the school,” said Honan, now in her fourth year as a member of the West Nodaway faculty.

Nearly 20 students worked last spring on the project, which was completed before the school year ended.

“It is always nice when you have a company or organization able to provide a grant or funds,” Honan said. “It is great to do extra things around the school. It is nice to get money to do something and makae it nice.”

Since establishing the grant program six years ago, FCS has donated more than $100,000 to 4-H clubs and FFA chapters.

“Community development in rural Missouri is very important to FCS Financial,” said Scott Gardner, vice president of sales and marketing. “Our member-owners and staff live in rural communities across Missouri. These grants not only strengthen our rural communities but allow our youth to work as a team to accomplish a worthy goal.”

CODY THORN/DAILY FORUM
A grant provided by FCS Financial has allowed the West Nodaway R-I FFA chapter to install a pair of benches and add mulch near the front entrance to the elementary school in Burlington Junction.