Community Foundation Awards $20,000 Grant to Optimist Club

(Rochester, Indiana) The Fulton County Community Foundation (FCCF) awarded a community grant of $20,000.00 to Rochester Optimist Club for the purchase of the land which houses the Club’s Pumpkin Project, referred to as the Lowe property.

The Optimist Club sought the purchase of the Lowe property in order for their Pumpkin Project to continue to be successful. The high-traffic area at which this land is located directly affects the success of the fundraiser. The Pumpkin Project, along with the Club’s many other fundraising events, enable the organization to support local youth.

The Optimist Club’s motto is “Friend of Youth.” They provide scholarships and support projects and organizations related to children and teens ages 0-20. Some special donations they have made include $25,000 to the Woodlawn Hospital expansion, $5,000 to fund a soccer field at the Blacketor Sports Complex, and $5,000 to the library Arboretum, among others.

A large portion of the Pumpkin Project revenue comes from sales at the retail stand located at the Lowe property. The purchase of this land will directly benefit the group’s project, and will therefore benefit the youth in Fulton County.

The Fulton County Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Northern Indiana Community Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c) (3) public trust. The mission of the Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in our communities by assisting donors in fulfilling their charitable wishes. We do this by building endowment funds for our communities with contributions, both large and small.

For more information, contact the Northern Indiana Community Foundation toll free at 877-432-6423, or Brian Johnson at the Fulton County Community Foundation at 574-224-3223.