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The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is thrilled to announce the 2022 Community Support Grant Awards. Each fall, Lyons-area nonprofit organizations apply for grants that will support the work they plan to do in the year to come. As a community foundation, LCF’s work consists of raising money to support a diverse range of projects and populations in the greater Lyons area. By offering a centralized source for fundraising, nonprofits can focus on their projects. The grant review committee, a nominated group of area citizens, meets to analyze grant applications and award those whose intent aligns with LCF’s mission to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving and encourage positive change in the greater Lyons area. Since LCF’s inception in 2008, over half a million dollars has been raised to support local initiatives that either build Community Connectivity, provide Human Services, invest in our Youth or support Local Ecology initiatives. This year, the LCF Advisory Board approved more than $50,000 in grants to 17 separate projects representing these four different focus areas. 52% of all grants awarded will help to connect the community while 39% of all grants awarded will help to provide human services in Lyons. The following is a brief description of the projects awarded this year. The Lyons Community Foundation has invested in Human Services since 2008. Even before the creation of the Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund (LEAF) in 2014, LCF supported the food pantry and the Basic Needs and Emergency Fund when they were ministries of the Lyons Community Church. For the fourth year in a row, LEAF is the biggest recipient of grant funding with a total of $18,500 awarded for all five of their programs: Lyons Community Food Pantry, Basic Needs and Resource Matching, Meals on Wheels, Mental Wellness & Addiction Recovery and Lyons Volunteers. The Town of Lyons was also awarded $1,100 for Senior Programming. As a community foundation, LCF has sought to connect the community in more ways than one. Since 2013, LCF has funded many popular programs that the town of Lyons organizes yearly such as the Parade of Lights and the Sandstone Concert Series. Next year, the Town of Lyons will be bringing back the Winter Wonderland Series, which takes place in January/February in Lavern Johnson Park. LCF has awarded over $10,000 for this community programming. In total, the Town of Lyons will receive $17,262 in grant funding from LCF. The Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission (LAHC) has been a Community Grant recipient since 2009. In all, LCF has awarded close to $48,000 to support public art in the streets of Lyons. The Creative Outlets program began in 2019 when the LAHC launched Lyons’ first utility box-painting program To date, the LAHC has completed four utility boxes through this program. You might have noticed the new one in Bohn Park this past summer. For each box, commissioned artists receive a $1,000 stipend for their work and supplies. What a great way to bring beauty to unexpected places, by adding color and interesting designs to utility boxes throughout town. The heARTS Outdoor Art program began in 2017. Leased pieces are on a two-year display period schedule and include a $750 honorarium for artists. Residents and tourists can tour 31 works of art, set up around Lyons, by downloading the Clio App at https://theclio.com/tour/1091. The Lyons Community Foundation is excited to support a newly formed non-profit organization in Lyons, called Lyons Creates. By awarding funding for staffing, LCF is supporting the development of a Creative District in Lyons. As for local ecology efforts, LCF has awarded $1,500 to Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens Books for the publication of an educational and informational brochure. Finally, LCF continues to invest in our youth, not only through the scholarship program but also through its community support grant program. A $500 grant has been awarded to the Lyons High School After Prom program (for the sixth year in a row) in order to support a safe, sober, supervised activity for high school students. The St.Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation has also been awarded a grant of $2,350 for local teachers who would like to apply to their Teacher Innovation Grant Program. Grant applications received totaled $57,838. While LCF would like to provide funding for many more projects and scholarships, increased investment by local individuals is necessary. We are asking all residents to consider LCF in their year-end giving by making an online donation to the foundation at www.lyonscf.org. If you prefer to send a check, please watch for our annual appeal holiday card that should arrive in your mailbox anytime.   LCF's 2022 Grant Recipients (from left to right):
Front row: Lory Barton, Executive Director of LEAF, Crystal DeCoster and Betsy Burton (Lyons Creates), Monique Sawyer-Lang and Baiba Lennard (Lyons Redstone Museum) Back row: Michelle Phelan (St.Vrain Valley Schools Education Foundation), Audra Felt (Lions Booster Club), Regan Bullers (SEED Seminar Project), Jessie and Garima Fairfax (Rocky Mountain Botanic Gardens), Mayor Hollie Rogin (Town of Lyons), Melinda Wunder (LAHC), Janaki Jane (Wide Spaces Community Initiative), Lisa Ramsey (Town of Lyons)
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In August of this year, an anonymous donor presented the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) with an incredible opportunity: a matching grant campaign! The donor offered to match any and all donations to LCF, up to $10,000, before the end of October. Halfway to our goal, Planet Bluegrass jumped in to match an additional $10,000 dollars, if we reached our initial goal. Paired with the support from our anonymous donor, this raised our fundraising potential for this campaign to $30,000 dollars! As of October 11th, LCF has reached and exceeded our initial goal of raising $10,000, therefore unlocking both $10,000 matching grants. The LCF Advisory Board is incredibly grateful for the 30+ donors who donated amounts ranging from $5.00 to $2,500 to make this happen. As one of the donors, Gail Frankfort, said when she presented her check to LCF, "I love my town. I've never had a 'love affair' with a town until I moved to Lyons. It's like no other town I have lived in. It offers such a great variety of cultural, artistic, social, educational, and recreational activities, most free of charge to me and all Lyons area residents. I want this Lyons experience to continue! I'm doing my part to ensure that happens by supporting the Lyons Community Foundation. And, now is the perfect time to do so as my contribution will be matched by some generous Lyons residents." Another donor, David Hamrick, stated, "LCF is one of the many things that makes Lyons a great place to live. A donation to LCF keeps the money here in town to help support local residents, the arts, and provide student scholarships. My family thoroughly enjoys the summer Sandstone concerts and they are a great way to spend a summer evening. Due to the matching gift of generous Lyons' donors, donating now has triple the impact, making this a perfect time to donate to LCF." Thanks to the many generous residents who responded when asked to contribute to this campaign, LCF can allocate money to future community projects. In the end, it's the greater Lyons community and its residents who will benefit. We cannot think of a better reason to live where we do. THANK YOU to all who participated in our matching grant campaign! 
What a spectacular way to celebrate the end of summer! Two of Lyons non-profit organizations, the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) and the Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) came together for a second year in a row to organize a community event like no other. The Hootenanny is considered “quintessential Lyons” with live music, cornhole, dance, a duck race, a silent auction, food trucks and a kidspace not to mention a well stocked bar. Many local families and visitors attended this community event at River Bend. The crowd grew as we got closer to the main act: Daniel Rodriguez and friends. You may know Charlie Rose and Ian Brighton as your neighbors. The setting for the live music was incredible as people sat on the stone patio, by the river, to listen to these talented musicians. We were very lucky that Daniel Rodriguez took time out from touring with the Lumineers this summer to come play at this charity event. All people had to do was pivot around to see Mayama’s Dance Team perform their latest choreography. The Junior Dance Team showed us their contemporary dance number while the Senior Dance Team performed their hip hop number. Afterward, everyone was invited to learn how to dance the electric slide. Such fun!! After live music and dance, it was time to head down to the river for the duck race. Thanks to the Lyons Leos, all 500 ducks had sold out by 3:30pm. Next year, the steering committee will be sure to order more ducks. At approximately 5:30pm, the Lyons Firefighters dumped the ducks off of the bridge on Highway 36. It only took five minutes for the first duck to make its way past the finish line. Congratulations to Josh Edmondson, Susan Knight and Sara Hayes for placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd respectively. Throughout the afternoon, a cornhole tournament played out. After the final winners were determined, many kids and families stepped up to try their hand at throwing the beanbag of corn. Congratulations to Brian Gantzer and partner for taking 1st place! The kid space got moved to a new location this year, which parents appreciated as they could keep an eye on their children while listening to music and watching the cornhole tournament. Thank you to Rainbow Lightening for setting up such a whimsical space for children to play. The main revenue generator was by far the silent auction. Many local businesses and individuals donated a total of 72 items totaling almost $20,000. Most items sold at 83% of market value, which is quite astounding. Happy winners went home with some really cool takeaway items, gift cards to local restaurants and/or gift certificates for some exciting experiences. The 2022 Hootenanny steering committee would like to thank all sponsors as their financial contributions made this event accessible to all. Lyons second annual Hootenanny was a hootin’ success raising almost $33,000 that will be split evenly between LCF and LEAF. This event was made possible with the help of many volunteers including the Lyons Volunteers, the Lyons Leos, the Lyons firefighters, past and current board members and so many others. We thank you for coming out and sharing our love for this community. Thanks to Betsy Burton and Mike Whipp, the Hootenanny is on the calendar for the next five years. To quote Robyn Sloan, “Don’t you just love this town?  Daniel Rodriguez and friends entertaining the crowd at River Bend with some songs from his album “Sojourn of a Burning Sun”.  Lyons Leos scooping up the first ducks to arrive at the finish line. Congratulations to Josh Edmondson, Susan Knight and Sara Hayes for placing 1st, 2nd, 3rd respectively.  Mayama Dance Team members teach spectators the electric slide.
The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) and Lyons Emergency & Assistance Fund (LEAF) are teaming together for a second year to bring you a fun-filled family-friendly event. The end of summer Hootenanny at River Bend is set for Sunday, August 28th from 2pm to 7pm. There will be something for everyone: live music, kids zone, dance performance, silent auction, cornhole tournament and the ever popular rubber ducky race. I cannot think of a better way to support two of my favorite non-profit organizations in town. Since LEAF has had difficulty sourcing food for Lyons Community Food Pantry, it would be greatly appreciated if you could bring one or more of the following food items to donate: sliced bread, condiments (ketchup, pickles, jam, jelly, honey, mustard, mayo, etc), cereal, snacks (crackers, chips, fruit snacks, etc), tomato products (tomato sauce, paste, pasta sauce, etc), canned meals like ravioli, stew, soup (but not chicken noodle!). LEAF’s van will be parked outside the entrance. Feel free to drop by donations as you enter the event space. The Hootenanny will feature live music from Daniel Rodriguez and friends. You may know this singer-songwriter as he is based in Lyons. He was a founding member of the band Elephant Revival. Rumor has it that Dan is currently on tour with the Lumineers. Boulder Weekly refers to Rodriguez’s voice as “A timeless voice, deep and hearty, weathered but comforting.” We are very grateful that he has accepted to entertain us from 3-4:30pm. Perfect for a Lyons Hootenanny! In addition to musical entertainment, we will feature two dance performances by Lyons’ very own Mayama Dance Company. We always look forward to seeing what the fantastic local dance company has in store. Besides, they will show us some moves to try out. So, be sure to wear your dancing shoes or cowboy boots. They will be performing from 4:45pm to 5:15pm. For the kiddos, we’ll have a wonderful children’s area designed and presented by Rainbow Lightning Productions, whose mission is to keep the inner child inspired. This nonprofit based out of Crestone, Colorado creates playscapes and activities where kids can have an exploratory and fun experience. Colorado Fairy Hair will pay us a visit from 2-5pm for all of you who are looking to add a little sparkle to your hair. The rubber duck race will take place at 5:30pm when we will be dropping the ducks in the river from the bridge on Highway 36. Watching the ducks float down the river is so much fun! You can still sign up for your duck numbers at the Sandstone concerts on Wednesday, August 17th and 24th. You can also register the day of the Hootenanny from 2-5pm at the LEAF tent. The cost per ducky is $5. A raft of ducks cost $20 for five. The cash prize for 1st place is $100, 2nd place is $50, and 3rd place is $25. There will also be a cornhole tournament for cornhole lovers of all ages. We are offering a $100 cash prize for the winners of the Cornhole tournament. That’s right, there’ll be a cornhole tournament with help from Longmont’s former Cornhole Champion! Teams of two can sign up at the LEAF booth at the Hootenanny. The tournament will start at 3pm. Plan to get there early to participate. The cost is $20 per team of two. Since this is a fundraiser, we are planning a silent auction, too. We will be featuring chances to win mountain getaways, a local staycation or a stay in a lovely Mexican casa near the ocean. We will offer all kinds of services from oil changes to massages to estate planning. We will also have local art, concert tickets, dinners, airplane rides and more! Come to the Hootenanny to shop and check out an awesome way to take away something for yourself while supporting LEAF and LCF. But wait, there’s more! What if you get hungry or thirsty? There will be three food trucks at the Hootenanny, with a variety of food for sale. McDevitt Tacos will have a variety of tacos on offer, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan choices. For you seafood fans, check out The Rollin’ Lobster, with lobster, crab cakes, and whoopie pie. For dessert, you can also indulge in ice cream treats from Sweet Cow. Yes, the MooMobile will be at the Hootenanny, dishing out your favorite flavors like Ozo coffee and chocolate chip cookie dough in cups, cones, or ice cream sammies. Ah, but you’ve worked up a mighty thirst with all this activity, so we will have a choice of beverages for purchase, including wine, Oskar Blues beer and hard seltzer or Spirit Hound vodka lemonade to quench your thirst on the last of these summer days by the river. We want to thank all the sponsors of the event who are helping to pay for the overhead costs. We appreciate your generosity. If you bring a motorized vehicle, we are asking for $5 for parking. Please leave your furry friends at home. Come out and have some fun and help those in need at the same time. It’s definitely a win-win at the Hootenanny! 
The Lyons Community Foundation (LCF) is proud to support the young people of Lyons as they continue their journeys into higher education. Scholarships such as those endowed by generous families in our community act to give students some well deserved support to undertake the many challenges of going to college and beginning their careers. Scholarships are also excellent indicators of the hard work and dedication to future success that these young people have displayed. LCF began offering scholarships to Lyons area graduating seniors in 2009 with a single $500 scholarship. This year, the LCF awarded $7500 in scholarships to six Lyons area graduating seniors. To date, $72,000 in scholarship funds have been awarded to 70 college bound students. The LCF Scholarship Review Committee is composed of local residents committed to supporting our young people with their goals. To that end, they reviewed, in detail, all student applications and met to discuss and confirm the award recipients. Families who contribute to individual scholarships also provided their input on the selection of scholarship recipients. We look forward to continuing and hopefully expanding our support of local graduating students through future scholarships. If you are interested in creating a scholarship in memory of someone, please visit our website at https://www.lyonscf.org/how-to-create-a-scholarship or email LCF at info@lyonscf.org. Each of these outstanding young people have distinct voices and unique stories to tell. The Scholarship Review Committee members are certain that their journeys and achievements will touch many lives and bring much happiness. We were impressed by the high standards and achievements of all of the applicants for scholarships. The Lyons Community Foundation exists to improve the quality of life, build a culture of giving, and encourage positive change for the Greater Lyons Area. The attributes of the LCF mission statement can be found in all the recipients for this year’s scholarships. This speaks highly of the dedication and hard work of not only these students and their parents but all the teachers and staff along the way. Established in 2020, the Lyons Community Foundation Mission Scholarship recognizes students who embody the LCF's mission of improving the quality of life, building a culture of giving, and encouraging positive change for the greater Lyons area. The 2022 Lyons Community Foundation Mission Scholarship was awarded to Kasey Knapp (Lyons HS). Kasey will be attending Oregon State University where she will major in Psychology. Established in 2009, the Lyons Community Foundation Scholarship in Memory of Steve Ralston honors Lyons resident and business owner Steve Ralston and is awarded to a student who best expresses their passion for learning and sharing one’s interests, skills, and joyful life experiences with their community. Cassidy Jennings Batts (Lyons HS) is the 2022 recipient. She will be studying Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Established in 2014, the Gerald Boland Memorial Scholarship recognizes a student who demonstrates a passion for learning and for their community. Gerald Boland died during the September 2013 flood near his home in Lyons. He taught in Lyons for 31 years, 5 years at the high school and 26 years at the elementary school. He served as a mentor to many of Lyons youth as a basketball coach for 23 years and as a Boy Scout Leader. His dedication to the Lyons community was just as unwavering as his dedication to education. Arjen Wynja (Lyons HS), recipient of the 2022 Gerald Boland Memorial Scholarship, will be majoring in Music Education at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Established in 2016, the Uncle Louis “Bud” Winkler Memorial Scholarship was made possible by an endowment from a local Lyons resident to honor the memory of his Uncle Louis who helped put him through college. The 2022 recipient of the Uncle Louis “Bud” Winkler Scholarship is Gage Basey (Lyons HS). Gage has enrolled in the Honors program in the Leads School of Business with an emphasis in entrepreneurship at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Established in 2018, the Janet Orback Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of lifelong Lyons resident Janet Orback, who along with her husband Dave, tirelessly helped to provide support and friendship to her neighbors whose homes and lives were destroyed in the 2013 floods, as well as being stewards of the Lyons Cemetery for over 15 years. Recipients of the Janet Orback Memorial Scholarship are active participants in the community, and show a commitment to caring for the environment. The 2022 recipient is Gylian Hay. She will be majoring in International Affairs at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. Established in 2020, the Lyons Community Foundation 2-Year Study Scholarship was made possible by a donor-advised fund from a local Lyons couple. This scholarship recognizes any graduating senior who plans to attend a two-year program at college/university, trade school or other technical/vocational training. Recipients of this scholarship embody LCF’s mission of improving the quality of life, building a culture of giving, and encouraging positive change for the greater Lyons area. The 2022 recipient of LCF's 2-year study scholarship, Issac Tostanoski, plans on studying architecture at Paradise Community College in Phoenix, Arizona. The Lyons Community Foundation is proud of the accomplishments of these six students, as well as the accomplishments of all the students who applied for the scholarships. These scholarships are made possible through the generous donations of the Lyons community. If you would like to support the scholarship program and help a student achieve their dream of a college education, your contributions are greatly appreciated. To donate to any of these scholarships, please go to www.lyonscf.org/donate.html, click on DONATE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND and indicate if you would like your support applied in memory of Steve Ralston, Gerald Boland, Janet Orback, or the General Scholarship Fund. Donations may also be mailed to the Lyons Community Foundation, PO Box 546, Lyons, Colorado 80540.  This photo was taken at the Awards Ceremony at Lyons Middle/Senior High School on May 11th.
Left to right: LCF Scholarship Committee Chair Gwydion Winklemeyer, LCF Chair Jeanne Moore, LCF Marketing and Communications Associate Tanya Mercer-Daty, LCF Scholarship Recipients Gage Basey, Kasey Knapp, Arjen Wynja, Issac Tostanoski, Gylian Hay and Cassidy Jennings Batts Spring has sprung and the temperatures are increasing day by day. With school letting out for summer holidays in just a couple of weeks, it feels like summer is just around the corner! I cannot think of a better way to start summertime fun than with an outdoor artisan market and BBQ cook-off, followed by the Sandstone Concert Series. Thanks to a Community Support Grant from the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF), and a partnership with the Town Of Lyons, Lyons residents will be able to enjoy ten weekly concerts in Sandstone Park this summer and an Artisan Market/BBQ in June. For the first time, last year, an outdoor Artisan market was held in Bohn Park. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, June 4th from 10am-4pm. LCF will be proudly serving their very popular root beer floats, with ice cream donated by the Lyons Dairy Bar. In addition, one of their board members, Gwyd Winkelmeyer, has offered to round up a few local BBQ grillmasters to produce a plate of crispy turkey legs, juicy beef brisket and tender pulled pork. Sampler plates will showcase a variety of mouth-watering flavors such as habanero, smoked and mole for a suggested donation of $10. Luckily, Oskar Blues has donated some craft beer to wash down all of this yumminess. Be sure to come by the pavilion in Bohn Park to try a sampler plate between 11am-2pm or before supplies run out. Of course, we cannot hold an all-day outdoor event in Lyons without some live music. Thanks to another LCF Community Support Grant for the Artisan Market, the Town of Lyons was able to book Jake Leg from 12pm-2pm. So, you might want to mosey on over to Bohn Park around noon for some BBQ, beer, a root beer float, and live music before checking out all of the vendors’ wares. Word on the street is that there will be quite a selection of goods! The week following the Artisan Market will be the kickoff to the Sandstone Concert Series on Wednesday, June 8th and will feature the Joe Kuckla Band. Concerts featuring local musicians will take place every Wednesday from June 8th-August 10th, starting at 6:30pm in Sandstone Park. LCF will have a booth set up with pop corn, baked goods and beverages available for donations. These concerts are some of our favorite times to connect with friends and neighbors in a relaxed atmosphere. Bring your family for this FREE family-friendly concert series. We look forward to seeing you there. Finally, please save the date for another FREE family-friendly event; the 2nd annual Hootenanny, coordinated by LCF and LEAF at River Bend on Sunday, August 28th from 2pm-7pm. Some favorites will be back for a day of family fun: cornhole tournament, dancing with Mayama, duck race, family fun zone, live music and a silent auction. Mark your calendars so as not to miss out! If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Tanya Daty at tanya@lyonscf.org.  LCF Board members and volunteers will be happy to serve you a refreshing root beer float from 10am-4pm on Saturday, June 4th. You can find them at the LCF booth, near the pavilion where the cook off will take place from 11am-2pm.
Whether you are new to Lyons or a descendant of the original pioneer families, you probably know someone, a friend or neighbor who reminds you why Lyons is such a wonderful place to live. Personally, I have never lived in a community where so many of its residents seem to give back in one way or another. Lyons is full of local heroes. Monica McGuckin is one of mine. If you were living in Lyons in 2011-2013, you may remember Monica McGuckin owned the Lyons Mercantile on Main Street. At the time, she was also chairperson of the Lyons Community Foundation (LCF). Monica and her husband, Ron are always helping their community from behind the scenes whether it is a tenant or a church in need of new windows. When Monica learned that there were over 1,000 beanie babies available, she crammed two loads of them into her SUV to transport them from the collector’s home in Denver to her garage on Apple Valley Road. From that moment, she knew that this collection of beanie babies had value and that she could donate them to her favorite local charity, the Lyons Community Foundation. After calling current Chair, Jeanne Moore to discuss her plan to take “suggested donations” at multiple locations and events around Lyons, it became evident that they could include the entire community and build awareness for the good work LCF does. With a “suggested donation” of $10 for these bundles of cuteness, LCF could potentially bring in $10,000 in 2022. Chrystal DeCoster, past LCF board member and owner of Western Stars Gallery & Studio was the first person to sign up to consign the beanie babies on behalf of LCF. Since she already kept a secret stash of beanie babies at her shop, she knew that there was a growing demand for these cuties from people of all ages. By supporting LCF with a $10 donation, buying a beanie baby is an easy way to teach children to give back to their community at an early age, all the while, supplying their friends with a birthday gift or simply adding to their growing collection. Monica and Chrystal agreed that bringing shoppers into local stores looking for beanie babies would be a “positive marketing” plan. It also demonstrates how local businesses support their community through LCF. Several local businesses readily agreed to Monica’s plan: Uniquely Lyons, Red Canyon Art, HJB Designs, Sage and Grace Botanicals and Western Stars all have beanie babies available in their stores. Currently, Red Canyon Art, Uniquely Lyons and Western Stars Gallery & Studio have Easter-themed beanie babies to fill your child’s Easter basket. LCF will also have some on hand at the concession stand in Lavern Johnson Park on Saturday, April 16th from 10am-12pm during the Calvary Foothills Church Easter Egg Hunt. Come join us for some family-friendly fun in the park! Do not fret if you miss the Easter-themed beanie babies, there will be more for Graduation Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Halloween, Christmas, etc. LCF will be sure to have some on hand at community events such as the Artisan Market on June 4th and at the Sandstone Concert Series every Wednesday evening this summer. If you are a collector and you are looking for one in particular, please reach out to LCF at info@lyonscf.org.  When current LCF Chair, Jeanne Moore (on left) tried to thank past LCF Chair, Monica McGuckin (on right) for her fundraising efforts, Monica replied, “It’s not about me. It’s about inspiring other people to give back to the community. It’s a team effort.” Indeed, it is. Thank you Monica for inspiring all of us to give back.
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AuthorLyons Community Foundation Archives
October 2022
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