locally inspired giving- 2016 lcf gala

​LCF Gala November 11 2016
“Small Town~Big Adventures”
Article appeared recently in the Redstone Review
 
The Lyons Community Foundation has been hosting its Annual Gala for eight years.   Each year it promises to be one of the best nights out for Lyons residents looking to make a difference in their community.  It’s an opportunity to dress up (there is no official dress code- “Lyons Formal” means anything from jeans to a ball gown), have a great meal and festive libations, enjoy some music and visit with your friends and neighbors. 
 
What draws people to support the Lyons Community Foundation?  Since its inception in 2007, LCF has meant a lot of things to a lot of different people.  The nature of a community- based philanthropic organization means that it can effectively address the wide variety of interests of residents in small town.  LCF not only provides an avenue for funding important work, but also allows for an organized framework for people to build a culture of giving.
 
Historically, LCF granting has supported enrichment in local schools, historic preservation, local ecology, animal welfare, landscape beautification, and economic development.  Essentially, any organization with a 501 (c)(3) backing and an idea that will benefit the people of Lyons can apply for a grant.  The scholarship program supports local high school students in their aspirations to achieve higher education. 
 
Perhaps someone is big proponent of Arts in Lyons.  LCF has traditionally supported artists and musicians in a variety of ways.  Work that depends on LCF funding has included the Lyons Arts and Humanities Commission that has coordinated public art installations like the sculptures along Main Street along with a multitude of other projects.  The Lyons Clarifier Project was constructed and completed after years of LCF support. The Sandstone Summer Concert Series, a free weekly presentation of quality, local music in Sandstone Park, would likely not occur without LCF.  Likewise, the Holiday Parade of Lights and Fireworks displays have been continued with LCF’s financial backing. Most of us who were in Lyons the first year post-flood remember what a sign of hope that annual tradition became for area residents. 
 
The Lyons Food Pantry and assistance for the Lyons Emergency Assistance Fund (LEAF) have been major recipients of LCF funding since its inception.  The annual granting cycle has not only supported the Food Pantry every year, but has also allowed for major improvements in its operations. Last year, a special LCF-sponsored grant allowed LEAF to purchase a van for the food pantry and other critical transportation needs for residents who need it most. 
 
When the floods hit in 2013, if LCF did not exist there would have been no mechanism for allocating aid directly to our local residents.  LCF was able to direct more than a million dollars to residents and businesses when they needed it most.  Without our own foundation, recovery efforts would have been dispersed and managed though national or at best regional flood assistance efforts. The Rebuild Lyons Flood fund continues to grant to projects that aid recovery and resiliency efforts in the greater Lyons area. 
 
The gala this year will be held at Lionscrest Manor on Friday, November 11th.  It features a “Small Town-Big Adventures” theme.  The silent and live auction portions of the program will provide opportunities to win a trip to Mexico, a Sky Diving jump, an exhilarating aerial plane ride, and a variety of mountain getaways.  These are one-of-a-kind packages that might give that extra incentive to do something on your bucket list.  Also up for auction will also be a unique painting by local Lyons artist Betsy Hubner that captures the spirit of Adventure in Lyons.  Other highlights of the evening include a three-course meal by A Spice of Life Catering, specialty drinks featuring Spirit Hound Distillery and Oskar Blues and live music by renowned (but local Lyons resident), fiddle player Jessie Burns and Friends.  Don’t miss this opportunity to share the evening with friends and neighbors while giving back to the Lyons Community.  For more information or to buy tickets, see: www.lyonscf.org/events.  

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