Foundation urges community to do its part

Thursday, August 12, 2021
Brandon Wells

“What do you do for work, Brandon?” asked the stranger added to complete our foursome at the golf course. On the surface, this is an easy question to answer, even when you are trying to line up an eight-foot putt for what may be your only shot at par for the day.

But, in my line of work, you become accustomed to follow-up questions, polite smiles or blank stares when you enthusiastically respond with “I work for a community foundation!” However, this time, I was in luck because my new pal Dan has a nephew who received a scholarship from his local community foundation.

But, ever curious, Dan wanted to know more and asked what else community foundations do “other than scholarships.” Fully prepared with my elevator pitch, I explained that community foundations offer grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and other charitable initiatives. We help our community partners grow endowments to ensure their mission continues in perpetuity, and that we even help dedicated citizens with planned giving options that will help our county thrive for generations to come.

Before I continued further, eager to hit his driver, Dan interjected with, “So, you help your community?” Precisely, Dan. We help the community in so many ways.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, precisely how the Community Foundation helps Putnam County changed dramatically and set a new precedent for our role in disaster recovery.

Since April 2020, the Putnam County Community Foundation has granted over $100,000 from the Putnam County Relief Fund to support area nonprofits, agencies and schools. To date, the Relief Fund has subsidized revenue lost by nonprofits due to canceled fundraisers, ensuring that employees could keep their jobs. Schools were granted funds for personal protective equipment and cleaning supplies long before federal and state governments could respond. Agencies received funds to provide rent assistance, which ultimately prevented homelessness for several families in our county.

The Relief Fund remains open for requests. Frankly, we’d love to retire it on account of the pandemic coming to an end, but we’re not quite there yet.

With positive cases again on the rise, it is up to us to do everything we can to keep ourselves, our family, neighbors and co-workers healthy. Area businesses and schools need us to be diligent with prevention tactics so that they can remain open. Our local family-owned restaurants have and continue to hold on as long as possible, to be your place to break bread and catch up with loved ones and friends. Your Community Foundation wants to open our doors to the community in new and exciting ways in the safest manner possible.

We’ve endured so much Putnam County. Let’s win this fight together.

As for Dan, he’s a nurse, so he continues to do his part and then some. Let’s all continue to do ours. After all, we’re in the same proverbial golf foursome overcoming the challenges and hazards brought on by the same course.

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