13 Area Nonprofits Put Gifts to Good Use in 2011

Thirteen area nonprofit organizations in and around Geneseo received $165,000 in grants from GIFT (Geneseo Is For Tomorrow Foundation) in 2011. The grants helped provide area residents with a wide range of services ranging from groceries and clothing for struggling families to washers used to sanitize wheelchairs. Grants were made from funds established by the late Bill and Susan Sherrard and Gretchen Ristau.

Bill and Susan Sherrard were prominent farmers in the Geneseo community. Grants from their donor-advised fund were awarded to the Concordia Evangelical Lutheran church, Geneseo Endowment for Education Excellence (GEEE), Henry County Agricultural Literacy Coalition, Junior Achievement of the Heartland, Inc., Bishop Hill Heritage Association, Friends of the Hennepin Canal, Geneseo Historical Museum, Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation, and Hillcrest Home.

These grants will be used by these organizations to purchase items such as educational tools and medical equipment including reclining wheelchairs and washers that have the ability to sanitize and clean wheelchairs and control infection.

Gretchen Ristau, a longtime employee of Geneseo Telephone Company and later Farmers National Bank, was passionate about helping others in the Geneseo area. Monies from the Ristau fund were granted to the Geneseo Food Pantry, Good Shepherd Foundation, Henry County Humane Society-Geneseo and the Henry County Youth Services Bureau.

These grants will provide groceries and clothing for struggling families, adolescent services in Geneseo, free counseling from the Henry County Youth Services Bureau, medical treatment for stray animals and more.

“Through GIFT, people who love the Geneseo community can support and advance the causes that are dear to them,” said GIFT president Mike Ricketts.

GIFT’s giving goes beyond grants. Currently, the Foundation offers five scholarships annually for students looking to pursue higher education, as well as a “Community Caring Award”, which was established to offer a small token of appreciation to those members of the community who show a remarkable commitment to public service and social responsibility.

“Our donors are people who love the Geneseo area,” said Ricketts. “It is an honor to carry out their wishes and continue their legacy.”

GIFT, established in 2002 and created by volunteer citizens of Geneseo, is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Great River Bend. As the only legally designated Community Foundation in Geneseo, GIFT provides donors a number of tax advantages, professional management, and a volunteer board that helps donors achieve their philanthropic goals.

GIFT board member and treasurer Brad Toone presents a check to the
Geneseo Historical Association treasurer, Alice Lopez.

Todd Davidson, GIFT vice president, (right) presents a check to the
Henry County Agricultural Literacy Coalition coordinator, Paula Janson (middle)
and Katie Boruff, Henry County Farm Bureau manager (left).

Darcy Hepner, manager of the Hammond-Henry Hospital Foundation accepts a check
from GIFT board member, Brett Lohman.

Junior Achievement of the Heartland Grant

Julie Dillie, development director for Junior Achievement of the Heartland
accepts a check from GIFT president, Mike Ricketts.

GIFT board member, Brett Lohman (left) presents a check to Todd Sieben (right),
a member of the Renaissance Hennepin Canal project’s steering committee.

Past President Bob Kuhns presents a check to Mary Bergren, director of Hillcrest Home.