Soldier Community Fund

Goal: $10,000.00

Specific Need

This is our third year of rolling out the Soldier Community Fund here in the community. You've helped us get started and on a couple more projects last year and kept us moving on previous projects from the year before. We're excited to be building on that success and continuing to grow. We've got several projects underway, in the works and still being brainstormed.

Here are a few projects we took after or kept up this last year:

'BRING THE LIGHT'
- New LED Community Christmas Light Additions - We helped design, purchase and install smart LED wash spotlights in 7 new areas with LED spots that helped spread joy for the season in our community. Community Spheres: LIVE & PLAY
'GEARED'
- We continued to work to be an equiper for other groups and needs in our community. Sharing equipment and tools that we maintain with local events, organizations and neighboring communities. (Sound System PA, Carnival Game, Trailer). Community Spheres: WORK & PLAY
'BACK OFFICE'
- One of our original core purposes, working with andn on behalf of area groups in needed tasks and prospective solutions. From helping make sure the Soldier Alumni had a great event in some small ways to connecting a former resident's land donation wish with the city, creating posters for events to the final iteration and installation of the Community Building sign. Community Spheres: LIVE, PLAY & GROW

What are some things we hope to take out after this year with funding from Thoughtful Giving Day? (We've got 4 things we're thinking aside from keeping previous plates spinninig....)

Make some great progress on the Soldier Gym Building Envelope (Soffit, Gutters & Siding) and start getting windows in.
Expand the Community Christmas Light Areas we started last year. #makeclarkgriswoldproud
Try to start a quarterly community meal and meet to bring community members and stakeholders together for ideation and moving forward on projects around the community.
Mainstreet Mural and Lighting work to give a touch of distinctiveness to our hub for those living here and passing through!

Do you have an idea or cause in the community? Let's talk, give us a hollar!

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In case you were keeping track... What were a few goals from last year that were shared at thoughtful giving day:

Laminate countertops in the Community Building are in need of replacing - Hoping to assist in funding and in-kind labor.
Mainstreet Christmas lighting and signage as we help folks continue experiencing the magic of a hometown Christmas and the pride we can still have in our community. Hoping to assist in funding and in-kind labor.
Begin an effort to design and install one or more murals throughout our community to help tell both our story and our county, state & nation's.
Ideas are begining to be generated and brainstormed for a roadside rest stop and shaded area on mainstreet (partial season shade cloth and structure) for those travelling through on our scenic route and we work to show that great Soldier hospitality.
To more fully roll out our seed grant program where other local community organizations in our area (i.e. Clubs, Civic Groups, 4-H, The Ball Club, City of Soldier, Churches and others) submit applications for partner support through this fund as they undertake projects that make Soldier a great place to live, work, play and grow. In helping provide some matching funds, technical and sweat equity support we hope to broaden the impact we can all have here.