sowing seeds of community

Article appeared recently in the Redstone Review

Good deeds are like planting seeds.  Their effects grow beauty and change for years to come.  This is what happened when the Lyons Community Foundation was founded 10 years ago.  What began as collaboration of a group of Lyons citizens in an attempt to consolidate local philanthropy, has been nurtured and cultivated into a community catalyst, capable of addressing a wide variety of Lyons Area projects that have had long -lasting and profound effects.
 
Local groups, including the Lyons Ecology Board and the Lyons Garden Club, are excellent, visible examples of programs that have literally sown the seeds of change.  Over the last 10 years, almost $24,000 has gone to local ecology and landscape beautification projects.  These have included such efforts as the planting of the new Native Habitat Garden at Town Hall plaza, native plant restoration, Upper 5th Avenue landscaping and supplemental plantings on Main Street.  If you look around town at the beautiful -community supported gardens, one witnesses the efforts of these groups of citizens.
 
To illustrate the impact of the numbers, LCF grant-funded work by the Ecology Board supported the disbursement of 1million square feet or over 900 pounds! of native seed in the Lyons river corridor as well as the planting of 150 trees and shrubs, rebuilding local ecology post-flood.   The Ecology Board has also worked hard to battle invasive weeds and promote native planting, investing in community education and outreach. 
 
Now we need to plant seeds for the future. Without continued dollars and volunteer efforts there will be no seeds planted for tomorrow’s philanthropic efforts.  Over the last 10 years, the Lyons Community Foundation has grown and enjoyed strong support of the community.  There are now more groups, causes and needs in general.   Citizens’ dollars are stretched in many directions.  Because LCF supports so many types of programming and remains a centralized resource for community change, the need to keep it going is strong and we are reaching out for your continued support.
 
The power of numbers and the ability of combined efforts is what keep LCF going.  If one quarter of households the greater Lyons area each gave $25/month to LCF, that could generate almost $38,000 in a year.  This is roughly the annual budget for Community Support Granting which includes all projects awarded each November to projects that affect the greater Lyons area including Spring Gulch, Pinewood and other surrounding population centers as well as LCF’s commitment to support LEAF (Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund) on a continued basis.
 
The Lyons Community Foundation was founded in 2007, and began granting in 2008.  The mission to Improve the Quality of Life, Build a Culture of Giving, and Encourage Positive Change in the Greater Lyons Area remains the driving force.  In 10 years, dozens of volunteer board members, project leaders, local businesses, students and caring citizens have contributed to the spirit of community -based philanthropy.  As we look forward to our second decade of serving the people of Lyons, we ask for your support.  Become a monthly donor, inspired volunteer, grant seeker, or champion of work.  For more information, visit www.lyonscf.org
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