Cooper Foundation Grants Awarded for 2020

The Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation, along with Midwest Bank, has announced the grants given this past year to very deserving organizations in local communities. The Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation began as a way for the Cooper family to give back to the communities in which Midwest Banks are located. The family felt it was important to show appreciation for and foster new relationships within those communities and has been doing so for many years. The Foundation’s purpose is to support health, education and recreation in the communities that Midwest Bank serves.
Over the years, the Jim B. and Lillian F. Cooper Foundation has been honored to give over $976,000 to local organizations. The Cooper Foundation appreciates the opportunity to make these contributions and looks forward to continuing the long standing tradition.
The following grants were awarded in 2020:
In Creighton: $465 to the Creighton Public Library for Kids Korner.
In Deshler: $500 to Deshler Lutheran School for a Gaga Pit; $1,500 to Peace Lutheran Preschool for playground equipment; $750 to Deshler Recreation Board for Diamond Pro Conditioner and $1,500 to City of Deshler Senior Center for a patio set.
In Lincoln: $2,500 to the Lincoln Youth Baseball Organization/Jr. Salt Dogs League for equipment.
In Norfolk: $1,500 to the Norfolk Arts Center for their 5th Grade Passport to Art program and $2,000 to Lutheran High Northeast for their Ag/FFA Program.
In Pierce: $1,000 to the High School Counseling Office for office equipment; $1,000 to Pierce Senior Center for a refrigeration door; $1,500 to Brandon Gerdes Memorial Foundation for their backpack program and $2,985 Pierce High School Band for Baritones.
In Plainview: $1,500 to Plainview High School towards a greenhouse for the FFA Chapter and $1,200 Plainview Manor for a slushy machine.
In Pilger: $750 to the Village of Pilger for playground equipment.
In Wisner: $3,000 to Elkhorn Logan Valley Health Department for Smile In Style.
In York: $1,000 to Friends of Kilgore Memorial Library for their early child development program; $1,000 to Little Blessings Preschool for their outdoor classroom; $500 to York Parks and Recreation for their story walk and $1,200 to CASA towards training.