Volunteers in Action has received a grant from Midwest Energy for $500 for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program’s annual lap robe project, said Donna Baugh, Volunteers in Action Director. 
In 2012, RSVP volunteers made 140  lap robes with yarn donated by communities in Barton County.  Of those colorful and warm lap robes, 75 were donated the volunteers to the American Legion Argonne Post 180 which delivered them to veterans living in the Fort Dodge Soldiers Home along with 50 adult size skull caps  and other donated Christmas presents. 
The remaining lap robes were delivered to local nursing home residents in Barton County. 
“RSVP volunteers are already hard a work crocheting for next Christmas and are on schedule to produce 50 percent more lap robes than last year,” Baugh said. “The grant award from Midwest Energy will be put to good use purchasing yarn to continue this worthwhile project.”
The Midwest Energy Community Fund benefits charitable, educational and nonprofit agencies in the Midwest Energy service area. Five customer committees review charitable requests and submit recommendations to Midwest Energy management for approval.
Each committee allocates funds based on the number of meters in the assigned counties. The committees may direct funds to activities that focus on youth, arts, education, libraries, community events or other priorities that fall within the guidelines. Awards range from $50 to $1,000 and are granted semiannually.