KEOTA

The team at PAWS & More animal shelter in Washington shed tears of joy Wednesday night when it was announced the organization was awarded a $2,405,760 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation (WCRF). This amount completes fundraising for the shelter's new building in Washington and allows construction plans to proceed, with groundbreaking expected in spring 2025.

“This gift will have a tremendous impact on our communities, animals and people. We are honored and so proud to have received this level of support from you,” PAWS & More executive director Amber Talbot said after WCRF president Stephanie Sexton made the announcement at Wooden Wheel Vineyards in Keota on May 15.

Although the PAWS & More team knew they would be receiving a grant Wednesday night, they did not know the amount of the award. Talbot acknowledged that $2.4 million was “a bigger ask than most,” and was surprised to hear they received the full amount requested. The WCRF’s generosity made for an emotional evening.

Talbot gave credit to PAWS & More board chair Cara Sorrells, who has “been involved since the beginning in the 1970s when the organization was founded, and she stayed with us through all of the long road it’s had . . . She is like our fearless leader and has a wealth of knowledge and community connection.”

PAWS & More has cared for homeless pets and helped them find new homes since 1978. They serve all of Washington County and often assist animals and pet owners outside of the county.

To the WCRF, Sorrels said, “This generous gift has made our dreams come true. It means more than words can express. Our shelter has come so far and can now reach new heights because of you. We are excited to build the shelter that our staff, the animals, and the communities need. Thank you.”

Also taking home a top grant award was Washington County Emergency Management, which received $449,578 for new outdoor warning sirens to be placed throughout Washington County. All existing sirens will be replaced in Riverside, Kalona, Wellman, and Washington, and sirens will be placed at four additional locations throughout the county.

Rounding out the top three grant recipients was the Washington County Hospital Foundation, which was awarded $414,285 for investment in the medical clinic in Kalona.

John Woodward, WCHC development officer, said the grant funds will go toward the purchase cost of the clinic building, as well as technology upgrades and other improvements.

“The project itself is over a million dollars,” he said. “This [grant] is huge.”

Woodward added that WCHC has had a good amount of community support, but the amount of the grant was a surprise.

“I was not expecting to be fully funded, so this is a spectacular thing, and we’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of the casino and the board,” he said.

Woodward added that WCHC is excited to have signed Meagan Squires, ARNP, as a provider at the Kalona Clinic, and that another MD has recently signed to join the clinic as well.

“They’ll be working on potentially a third,” he said, although nothing has been finalized.

Other notable grant recipients include the Washington County Sheriff's Office, $17,451 for Special Response Team Equipment; Kalona Public Library Foundation, $16,245 for indoor and outdoor library projects; Lone Tree Community School, $14,000 for weight room refurbishment; Lone Tree Historical Society, $13,335 for facility upgrades; Washington County Ambulance, $9,811 for video laryngoscopy acquisition; and Wellman Volunteer Ambulance, $1,225 for ambulance equipment. A total of $3,614,233 in grant funds were awarded by the WCRF in Spring 2024.

Additional grant recipients include Immanuel Lutheran Church, City of Keota, WACO Community Schools, Lake Darling Youth Center, N-Compass, Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere Foundation, Wayland Area Childcare Organization, Youth Sports Foundation, Saint James Elementary School and Parish, Mount Pleasant Fire and Rescue, Girls on the Run Eastern Iowa, Community and Family Resources, Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, and the Washington County Fair Association.

The WCRF plans to hold their Annual Awards Event at the Riverside Casino at end of the year to celebrate both Spring and Fall 2024 grant recipients.