Grant County Community Foundation gives first grants

Article and photos by Mary Alice Murphy

Grant County Community Foundation gave its first grants on March 19, 2018, awarding them to five community organizations.

Grant County Community Foundation founder Barrett Brewer almost danced with excitement that the foundation after only a few years in existence could already give out $20,000 in donations to five organizations.

Kristen Warnack of Virus Theater received the first check to help pay for the hearing and cooling system in the El Sol, the home of the group.

Polly Edmunds of Deming's Silver Linings received funding for the group's efforts to feed the homeless and ultimately provide shelter for them.

Lotus Center will provide yoga classes to two schools, José Barrios and La Plata Middle School. Jeff Goin was happy to received the funding.

Several members of the Mimbres Valley Heritage Center gathered to accept a check, which will provide funding to purchase equipment for fifth-graders to take part this summer in an archaeological field camp put on by University of Nevada in Las Vegas. Kathy Hill, Marilyn Markel and Chris DeBolt accepted the check.

Gila Valley Library board members Madge Slavec and Merritt Helferrich received funding to help provide an addition to the library building for children's activities.

Priscilla Lucero also accepted recognition for her role as the executive director of the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, which serves as the fiscal agent for the foundation.