By KIRBY NEUMANN-REA
News Editor
November 28, 2007

A grant for shelter for a sheltered workshop is the largest single grant given by the Hood River Lions Club Foundation.

The foundation on Monday announced the $120,000 in funding it is handing out this year to 21 community programs.

Columbia Gorge Center will receive a $40,275 grant for a re-roofing project at its facility in Pine Grove. The grant is believed to be the largest single one since the program started in 2001.

The foundation grants come from an anonymous donor’s gift of $2.1 million to Lions seven years ago. The donor stipulated that the club’s foundation distribute the earnings to Hood River County organizations. The gift distribution is required to continue for the next 12 years.

Over the past seven years the foundation has been able to provide $1.1 million to about 75 nonprofit groups in Hood River County.

Forty-six nonprofit organizations applied for funds.

“Grant applications are reviewed very thoroughly by a screening committee of eight Hood River Lions,” said John Codino, foundation chairperson. “Unfortunately, we are not able to fund all the requests, but applicants are encouraged to apply again in 2008.”

The awards dessert will be held at Hawks Ridge Assisted Living, 1795 Eighth St. in Hood River, starting at 7 p.m. Sunday evening.

The organizations receiving funds at a Dec. 2 dessert reception are:

• Columbia Gorge Earth Center, capital grant to purchase shipping container with pallet racks — $6,600.

• Faith in Action Providence Community Caregivers, funding for six training events, annual conference and volunteer reimbursement — $3,100.

• Columbia River Soap Box Derby and Hood River Lions Club Soap Box Derby Committee, continuing sponsorship of One Rally Race in Hood River, and storage unit cost for the Hood River Lions Club and Soap Box Derby Association — ($$??)

• First Book Hood River County: Literacy skills and language development — $2,000.

• Heart of Hospice Foundation: Provide lift chairs to hospice patients — $4,000.

• Hood River County School District, to purchase printing press for student art — $4,005.

• Hood River Sheltered Workshop, Inc. dba Columbia Gorge Center, New roof on Gap building — $40,275.

• Hood River Valley High School, weight room renovation — $3,985.

• Horizon Christian School: Three-sport scoreboard for new school gymnasium — $4,406.

• HR County Start Making A Reader Today (SMART): One-on-one reading and book project — $3,500.

• HRVHS Baseball: Complete restrooms in Bob Thorman batting facility — $2,500.

• Young Life-Columbia Gorge: Purchase outdoor recreational equipment to enhance effectiveness with adolescents — $2,500.

• Columbia River Soap Box Derby and Hood River Lions Club Soap Box Derby Committee — $2,500.

• Hood River Christmas Basket Project, toys for children at Christmas — $4,000.

• Hood River County Commission on Children & Families, Hood River County Lions Youth Scholarship Grant. — $5,000.

• Hood River Leos Club, Support for Hood River Leos Club — $2,000.

• Scout Pack 378, Reimbursement: funds used to purchase 20 uniforms — $1,247.

• Hood River Lions Club Boy Scout Troop 282, scholarships, video projector — $3,750.

• Hood River Lions Club Scholarship Program, Scholarships for high school graduates — $15,000.

• HR Eye Openers Lions Club, donation to Fourth of July fireworks show — $3,000.