ADRIAN — Sixteen Lenawee County organizations were the beneficiaries recently of $45,000 in grants, made possible through the Lenawee Community Foundation and the V.C. and Velma Knight Memorial Fund.
Examples of some of this year’s funded projects through the Knight Health and Human Services grants include CCTV systems (closed circuit television) enhancing accessibility for low-vision users, Family Support Program, addressing trauma in children, critical home repair and providing fresh food and hot meals for those in need across the county.
Grant recipients were announced Wednesday, Oct. 23 by the Lenawee Community Foundation and include:
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Adrian Breakfast Lions Club
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Associated Charities of Lenawee County (ACLC)
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Boys & Girls Club of Lenawee
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Catherine Cobb Safe House
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Catholic Charities of Jackson, Lenawee & Hillsdale Counties
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Child Care Network Washtenaw Regional 4C
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Daily Bread of Lenawee Inc
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God’s Breadbasket Inc
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Habitat for Humanity of Lenawee County
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Housing Help of Lenawee
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Lenawee County Department on Aging
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Share the Warmth of Lenawee
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Society of St. Vincent De Paul, St. Joseph Church
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St. Mary’s Food Pantry
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Tecumseh Fresh Food Initiative Pantry
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United Hudson Churches
“The (Lenawee Community) foundation works closely with donors and partners to connect generosity with need,” Bronna Kahle, Lenawee Community Foundation President and CEO, said in a news release. “The Knight Fund is an example of the lasting impact one couple’s commitment to their community can have now and forever. LCF is pleased to support the great work of the grant recipients and encouraged to see the positive impact these organizations have on Lenawee County.”
Even after Velma’s passing in 1980 and V.C.’s in 2005, their generous spirits live on in Lenawee, LCF said.
“The deep commitment they had to support those in need endures through the legacy they created in partnership with the Lenawee Community Foundation,” the release said.
More than $625,000 in grants have been awarded to date thanks to the Knights’ generosity.
Grant requests are reviewed by a selection committee on behalf of the community foundation and those ultimately chosen for funding are approved unanimously by the community foundation’s board of directors.
Before Marilyn Underhill, daughter of V.C. and Velma Knight, died in 2016, she made sure her parents’ wishes were carried out to benefit Lenawee County.
“My parents came from humble backgrounds, however, they did well financially and were able to help hundreds of people in their lifetimes,” Underhill previously said.
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Their “dedication to help their fellow human beings,” according to Underhill, is alive today because of the legacy they left.
For more information on how to apply for a grant, start your own charitable fund or make a gift to one of the existing funds at the Lenawee Community Foundation, visit lenaweecf.com.
By collecting donations and investing them for lasting impact, LCF funds grants, scholarships and local initiatives to address community needs, support nonprofits and enhance the wellbeing of Lenawee County.
— Contact reporter Brad Heineman at [email protected] or follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @LenaweeHeineman.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Organizations benefit from V.C. and Velma Knight Memorial grant funds
