Drought stricken farmers and rural communities receive double funding

O’NEILL, Neb. (Feb. 27, 2013) – O’Neill Area Special Olympics and Bright Horizons will now be able to better serve the community thanks to the support of local farmer, Tim Wells, and America’s Farmers Grow Communities.

Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, which is the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice.  To further support counties declared natural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to the drought this year; winning farmers in these counties are able to direct double donations, a total of $5,000.

Holt County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving Wells the opportunity to choose two organizations to receive $2,500 donations. He selected O’Neill Area Special Olympics and Bright Horizons. O’Neill Area Special Olympics will use the donation dollars to purchase uniforms and training equipment and to cover training and travel expenses.

Bright Horizons will use the donation to fund a training and development day so staff can learn new skills to better serve clients.

“I selected the Special Olympics to receive this donation because I have a family member who participates in it,” Wells said. “I chose Bright Horizons because it offers support for people in the community who need it.”

This year, the Monsanto Fund will invest nearly $6 million in rural America through Grow Communities, which includes double donations for counties impacted by the historic drought.

In Nebraska, $390,000 is being given across 78 counties.

America’s Farmers Grow Communities is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to partner with farmers in helping them positively impact their communities. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to strengthen rural America.

For a complete list of Grow Communities winners and more program information, please visit growcommunities.com.

About the Monsanto Fund

The Monsanto Fund, the philanthropic arm of the Monsanto Company, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening the farm communities where farmers and Monsanto Company employees live and work. Visit the Monsanto Fund at www.monsantofund.org.

Monsanto Donation - Bright Horizons

 

(Bright Horizons’ Staff from left to right: Sonya, Sammy, Lacy, Jamie, Christy, Linda, Audrea, Amanda; Tim Wells; and Steve Lind, Monsanto Representative)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monsanto Donation - Special Olympics

 

(Tim Wells; Crystal Walters, Special Olympics Representative; Karlene Herley, Athlete; and Steve Lind, Monsanto Representative)