Pawnee County Cooperative Association (PCCA) supports its local community in many ways, including by actively participating in High Five Fridays to celebrate students and staff at Larned Elementary School and making donations to improve the school’s playground.
“We want the students to know the agricultural community cares about them and their future,” says Kim Barnes, chief financial officer of PCCA, a cooperative based in Larned, Kan. “It is well known that play is an integral part of a child’s development. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports, ‘Recess is essential to children’s health and development.’”
To help maximize financial support for the school’s playground project, Barnes applied for a Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ Seeds for Stewardship matching grant. Working together, PCCA and Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ helped the school enhance its playground surfaces and purchase new equipment so students can play outdoors even in the gusty weather common in western Kansas.
“There weren’t enough swings and when it was windy, the kids just couldn’t safely play on the playground,” says Shane Eck, general manager/CEO of PCCA. “We appreciate the matching grant from Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥. We also received a similar matching grant through CoBank.”
Three cooperatives collaborating on this community project supports demonstrates one of the seven principles of co-ops: cooperation among cooperatives.
Children have been enjoying the playground improvements. “The teachers say student behavior has improved, too,” says Eck.
“Pawnee County Cooperative Association really likes to give back to the community. We share that commitment, so Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ was happy to partner with them on this opportunity to help children in Larned,” says Jason Dinkel, a refined fuels district manager with Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥.
“I encourage all our co-op partners to consider the Ä¢¹½Ö±²¥ Seeds for Stewardship program as a way to double the impact of their community donations,” Dinkel adds.
Member cooperatives can apply for Seeds for Stewardship grants online at chsinc.com.
