REFLECTIONS

The Blossoming Community Foundation is alive and well, according to executive director Bonnie Coughlin.

Coughlin was a featured speaker at a regular meeting of the Cargill Citizens Advisory Panel (CAP) held Wednesday, Feb. 8, at the Blooming Prairie City Center.

She gave a double-barreled presentation on the Blossoming Community Foundation and what it means to BP. Blooming Prairie Schools Superintendent Chris Staloch also provided an update on the school district construction program progressing in Blooming Prairie with Kraus Anderson Construction leading the project.

The Blossoming Community Foundation was founded in 2017 after key discussions with community leaders. The board is made up of 13 civic-minded individuals and community leaders who volunteer their time.

An appointed grant committee reviews applications from local nonprofit organizations and makes recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

The foundation exists to receive gifts and grants of money and property of every kind and administer grants for projects that are innovative, diverse, and collaborative while improving the community.

The foundation takes a strong leadership role by providing financial support for emerging community needs. Ideas today become an investment in our community and its citizens tomorrow, Coughlin said.

Coughlin said the foundation will help shape the future of Blooming Prairie by funding projects that will make a difference in the lives and hopes of community residents.

People can become involved by making a bequest, gifting real estate, or by gifting life insurance.

Coughlin said these donations will leave a living legacy. Examples include gifting grain, charitable IRAs, stocks and bonds, and annual gifts.

BP School construction

Superintendent Staloch informed the Cargill group that “things are moving right along with the school project construction.”

“You will see some steel going up soon,” Staloch said. “We will keep praying for good weather to aid construction progress.”

“We are on budget,” he said proudly.

The fifth and sixth grade classes of the Blooming Prairie Elementary School are being moved to the high school property. “That’s a big transition,” Staloch said.

Next meeting of the Cargill group will be on Wednesday, April 12. Al Batt will be a featured speaker.