Stanzel Family Foundation Awards Grants
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Senior Connections received a grant from the Stanzel Family Foundation. Pictured from left: Melanie Ramirez, Cindy Villarreal, Amanda Kridel, and Cheryl Pekar. -
The Stanzel Family Foundation donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Champion Valley. Pictured are left to right; Cheryl Pekar and Jennifer Owens.
The Stanzel Family Foundation has awarded grants to two local nonprofits, Senior Connections and Boys & Girls Clubs of Champion Valley. These funds aim to fortify the operations of both organizations as they address critical needs within the community.
Senior Connections has been allocated a grant of $30,000 and Boys & Girls Club of Champion Valley has received a grant of $60,000. These funds will be utilized to cover essential expenses, including staff salaries and the development of programs geared towards enhancing services for their respective members.
Both Senior Connections and Boys & Girls Clubs of Champion Valley address significant gaps in essential services. Senior Connections caters to the increasing population of senior citizens in the area, offering crucial support through programs designed for active seniors. Boys & Girls Clubs steps in to fill in the lack of after-school and summer programs, providing vital resources for youth development.
Over the past year, both organizations have witnessed a surge in the number of individuals they serve, underscoring the growing demand for their services. The Stanzel Family Foundation recognizes the importance of providing flexible funding to sustain general operations, acknowledging that such support is essential for these nonprofits to continue their impactful work.
In 1999, the Stanzel Family Foundation collaborated with the Texas A&M School of Rural Public Health to conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of the Weimar and Schulenburg communities. This initiative identified specific community needs, leading to the establishment of work groups comprised of community members dedicated to addressing these challenges. Among the original work groups were XYZ, focusing on health and active lifestyles for the aging population, and YACHT (Youth Action Community Health Team), dedicated to creating opportunities for youth activities.
Today, twenty-four years later, the persisting needs identified by the initial assessment continue to be addressed by dedicated social service organizations like Senior Connections and Boys & Girls Clubs of Champion Valley. These nonprofits remain steadfast in their commitment to working collaboratively with the community to meet evolving needs and create lasting positive impact.