Employees from CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions in Great Bend presented checks to the grant recipients of the Barton County Quality of Life Endowment. After submitting a letter of inquiry and presenting the needs for their funding requests, awards were given to:  St. Rose Foundation for their Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic; Clara Barton Hospital Foundation for their Therapy Services and Laundry Addition; Great Bend Public Library Teen Spot Furniture; and Golden Belt Community Foundation for enhancements to the downtown area.  
“Presenting the funds to the award recipients is the highlight of our funding project. We realize that there are many needs in our community and if we can provide resources to meet those needs, we have done our part to enhance the communities in which we live and work,” said Brenda Kaiser, member of the endowment committee. Other members of the committee include: Linda Sherman, Marge McGee, Dana Miller, Erika Brining, Sharon Dennis, Megan McKenna, Geralyn Wegener, Chris Calhoun and Teri Richardson.
Since the Barton County Quality of Life Endowment Fund was established in 2009, the endowment has awarded over $48,000 to charitable projects in Ellinwood, Great Bend, Hoisington and Claflin. With each grant awarded, CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions will further its corporate philanthropy and community involvement. CUNA Mutual Retirement Solutions hopes other firms within the community will take the initiative to establish a donor advised fund to help provide future funds for charitable giving.  
With assets over $14.7 million, the Golden Belt Community Foundation has been assisting donors with their charitable giving goals and working with area non-profit agencies since 1996 in an effort to build better and stronger communities in Barton Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties. Learn more about the Golden Belt Community Foundation at www.golddenbeltcf.org or by phone at 620-792-3000.