Around 50 interested residents gathered at Mary’s Restaurant last Saturday evening for the annual Plainview Brunswick Community Fund annual meeting and update.
President Corrine Janovec joined emcee and FAC member Brook Curtiss in welcoming the guests, including Todd and Janya Meckelburg of Lincoln. Todd Meckelburg serves as the Director of Gift Planning for the Nebraska Community Foundation and gave the keynote address to the group.
Curtiss updated those present with the total funding raised in 2023, just more than $50,000 with funding split between the endowment fund, general fund and community building fund. All in all, the PBCF has raised more than $500,000 in the three short years since its creation in 2021.
Meckelburg quizzed the audience on the workings and statistics of the Nebraska Community Foundation, and discussed the “Five to Thrive” initiative that helps guide potential donors into ways to leave a legacy in their communities. At the end of the evening, the PBCF made its special presentation of three, $2,000 grants to some Plainview organizations that had applied during the year-end application period.
The Plainview Historical Society – Carnegie Preservation Center received $2,000 for its Carnegie building restroom renovation project; The Plainview Ballbackers received $2,000 toward its new bathroom project for the west side of the baseball field area between the Legion and Softball fields; The Plainview Klown Doll Museum received $2,000 to help with its museum expansion project to continue to find room to house the more than 8,000 dolls and clown items they have received.
The PBCF board hopes to give awards similar in nature to these each year, depending on the success of the fund. Anyone wishing to participate with the PBCF, whether that be for a direct donation toward the endowment, a donation to the community building fund, or by making an estate plan or donation challenge can contact any FAC board member.
This year’s Board includes President Corrine Janovec, Secretary Wayne Rasmussen and Treasurer Kevin Lingefelter and Board members: Dennis Johnson, Brook D. Curtiss, Chris Twibell, Matt Meuret, Janyce Warneke and Jim Krause. The Board has a minimum of seven required by its bylaws, but anyone that would like to join the group to get to the 12 maximum are welcome to talk to board members as well.