DELPHOS — The Arnold C. Dienstberger Foundation put people in a festive mood by distributing $300,000 dollars to 29 nonprofit organizations.
It was the 24th year for the foundation to provide community grants. Grants throughout the years now total near $6.8 million.
Emcee Rick Miller talked about the history of the foundation, which was begun in 1966 following the sale of Dienstberger’s two nursing homes, Delphos Memorial and Sarah Jane Living Center, to Vanrue Properties Inc., owner of Vancrest Health Care Centers. The foundation invested the money and began disbursing the income in 1998.
As he has in the past, Miller said the real heroes of Tuesday’s event are the volunteers and organizations that “go out and spend all of their time and effort in taking care of the old people and the young people. We’re just here to help.” Miller said. “We go from the Senior Citizens Center that takes care of our older population to our youth sports and all things in between with the service organizations. I can go on and on.”
The uses for the money are as varied as the recipients. Delphos Fire and Rescue plan to use the funds to upgrade hoses. The Kiwanis Club is using the money for a shelter house project. The Delphos Public Library will use the grant to create a story walk in the park. Youth football, little league baseball and tri-county wrestling will use the money to update equipment. The Delphos Rotary Club will finance Music in the Park for the 18th year in June and July.
All who received funds shared what they planned to do with the money, and all thanked the foundation for its generous donations, which allows the organizations to do projects they may not be able to do otherwise.
Reach Dean Brown at 567-242-0409
