Rising Sun Regional Foundation awards $332,370

The Rising Sun Regional Foundation (RSRF) awarded a total of $332,370 in 17 new grants at its March 23, grant making meeting. These grants included:

· $46,000 to support up to forty-six $1,000 scholarships to graduating high-school seniors from both public and private high schools in RSRF's grant making region for their post-secondary education.

· $12,000 to the Rising Sun/Ohio County Parks & Recreation Board to conduct a feasibility study to guide it in developing an expanded community recreation park including an improved fairgrounds facility.

· $25,000 to the City of Rising Sun toward the construction of public restrooms and an information center on its historic Main Street.

· $9,130 to Historic Hoosier Hills RC&D toward the printing and publishing costs of its Jefferson Proving Ground Historical Preservation Project.

· $11,135 to New Horizons, on behalf of the Impressive Dogwood Horse Ranch in Milan, toward the costs of equipment fees, and materials needed to initiate and conduct an effective fundraising and advertising campaign for the ranch's Reward Riding Program.

· $25,000 to the American Legion Post 337 toward the purchase of equipment for its new Legion building to better serve the meeting and activity needs of the Sunman community.

· $3,885 to the St. Mary School in Aurora for the purchase of technology equipment.

· $2,480 to the Rising Sun Ohio County Emergency Services Board toward the purchase of physical fit ness equipment for the Emergency Services Wellness Program to be used by personnel of the Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department, Ohio County Life Squad, Ohio County 911, Rising Sun Police Department, and the Ohio County Sheriff's Department.

· Up to $30,000 to the Rising Sun Volunteer Fire Department toward the purchase of a Wildland Brush Truck.

· $35,000 to the Aurora Emergency Rescue Unit toward the purchase of a new ambulance.

· $5,190 to the South Dearborn Community School Corporation for the purchase of technology equipment.

· $16,050 to the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana for a strategic plan for the future use of its Veraestau Historic Site in Aurora.

· $50,000 to the Red Wolf Sanctuary as a challenge grant to enable it to conduct a major fundraising campaign toward the relocation of the sanctuary to Ohio County to serve as a unique tourism center.

· $35,000 to the Milan Volunteer Fire Department toward the purchase of a refurbished transport truck.

· $6,000 to the Ripley County Sheriff's Department toward the purchase of new bullet-proof vests.

· $2,500 to the Town of Napoleon as a matching grant toward the preparation of a comprehensive storm water drainage plan.

· $18,000 to the South Ripley Community School Corporation toward the installation of lights at the Ohio Rod Recreational Association softball field in Versailles for the use of its student athletes.

In announcing the awarding of these new grants for RSRF's 2005 First Quarterly Grants Cycle, Foundation President Marianne Wiggers stated, "As RSRF begins its ninth consecutive year of grant making, it continues to attempt to respond to a variety of needs and opportunities as can be seen by the above listing of grants. We are pleased that the foundation also continues to maintain the granting capability and broad flexibility to respond to these many important issues in southeastern Indiana."

The Rising Sun Regional Foundation was created in 1994 by the City of Rising Sun and Ohio County in conjunction with the development of the Grand Victoria Casino and Resort by the Hyatt Corporation. The Grand Victoria makes monthly contributions to the foundation based on a percentage of its adjusted gross revenue