KP Groups Receive ‘Community Spirit’ Grants from GGHF

Staff Report

The Greater Gig Harbor Foundation awarded grants of $500 to four organizations on the Key Peninsula and one for $250 at its annual celebration May 5. Now in its 11th year, GGHF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that has provided over $4.8 million in funds, land and services to the greater Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula, according to Jud Morris, GGHF board member and vice president-elect.

The 2017 Community Spirit Grant projects and recipient organization are:

• Lakebay Community Church, for construction of a community garden farm stand in collaboration with Seeds of Change and Food Backpacks 4 Kids. The farm stand will serve as a collection and distribution site for produce from community gardens to area residents in need at no cost.
• Key Pen Parks, to support the third annual Fourth of July community hot dog social. The community event brings together hundreds of people, nonprofit organizations and businesses.
• Peninsula Hands On Art, to support the nearly 16,000 art projects provided free to over 4,000 students in the Peninsula School District during the 2017-18 school year. The program’s focus is to educate and engage children in art history, mixed media and the creative process.
• Longbranch Improvement Club, in partnership with Evergreen Elementary School PTA, to support the 2017 “Trunk or Treat” event and provide nutritious take-home snacks. (The LIC received $250, the amount applied for.)
• Two Waters Art Alliance, in collaboration with The Mustard Seed Project, to support the “So You’ve Always Wanted To Try…” art program for the Key Peninsula senior community. The program will engage area seniors interested in activities that develop new skills of perception and expression and provide healthy emotional outlets, and connect them with other seniors in their community through the shared experience of learning and making art together.

“Community Spirit Grants are intended as catalysts to help ignite positive community projects and bring people together,” Morris said. “This is one of the foundation’s smaller grant programs and just one of the many things GGHF does to support our community.”