The Pokagon Fund Tuesday announced February and March grant awards in the amount of $405,106 for nine projects.

Grant funding supports initiatives in the fields of health, human services, art, education, recreation and environment.

• $300,000 in matching funds was awarded to the Berrien County Parks to support Phase 1 of the development of Galien River County Park.

Phase I of the Galien River County park will include:  universally accessible walking trails that will connect to the elevated boardwalks that run through the Galien River Marsh, a fishing and viewing deck on the river with accessible landing for non-motorized boating and a spectacular elevated walkway with treetop views of the marsh and river.

Berrien County Parks sought funding from The Pokagon Fund in the form of matching funds for a grant it is writing to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund.

Commitment of additional funding sources enhances the opportunity for MNR funding.
The Pokagon Fund has committed $300,000 to the Berrien County Parks should the MNR Trust Fund grant be approved.

“I was delighted to inform the Berrien County Parks Department of The Pokagon Fund Board of Directors’ decision to provide a matching grant for Phase I development of the Galien River County Park,” said Mary Dunbar, executive director of The Pokagon Fund.
“The Pokagon Fund provided grant funding for the Master Plan in January 2008. It’s been exciting to review the plan and see the project moving forward.  The Galien River and Marsh are jewels, a beautiful refuge for nature that should be available for all to experience. This project will allow that to happen.”

Brian Bailey, director of the Berrien County Parks Department, shared, “The support The Pokagon Fund has demonstrated for the Galien River County Park has been overwhelming.”

Bailey indicated that the $300,000 matching grant will be combined with $125,000 from Berrien County to favorably advance the success of a grant award from the Michigan Nature Resources Trust Fund.

“Partnerships are key to a successful project and we hope that MNR Trust Fund will look favorably on becoming a third partner for this exciting project,” Bailey said.

• $26,250 was awarded to Harbor Country Public Arts Initiative (HCPAI) for acquisition and installation of eight sculptures in the Harbor Country region.

Sculptures will be erected at the New Buffalo Library, New Buffalo Township Hall, Three Oaks Sculpture Garden in front of Acorn Theatre, Chikaming Township Hall and Harbert Park.

HCPAI’s mission is to unite the eight communities comprising Harbor Country in partnership to plan, produce and exhibit works of art in public spaces, including publicly accessible buildings.

“The Board of Directors for The Pokagon Fund supports this opportunity wholeheartedly,” Dunbar shared. “Public art has the potential to educate, entertain and even enhance tourism to our area.”

HCPAI is working in collaboration with Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph, which will be loaning two sculptures from its permanent collection.

Other sculptures will showcase the work of local artisans.

To learn more about this project and to preview sculptures coming to the area, go to www.hcpai.com.

• $23,986 was awarded to the Village of Michiana to purchase a generator for its Village Hall.

The generator will provide emergency power for residents of Michiana, providing cooling or heating for residents during frequent power outages.

• $12,000 was awarded to Coach Candy Van Buskirk to support the Coach Candy Summer Basketball Camp.

In its eight year, the Coach Candy Basketball Camp is offered to children kindergarten through eighth grade.

The camp teaches the fundamentals of the game, but also character, attitude and teamwork.

The camp is taught by a former basketball coach and current college athletes.
Through this grant award, scholarships will be provided to children in The Pokagon Fund service area.

If interested in the program, contact Candy Van Buskirk at the New Buffalo Area Schools.

• $11,623 was awarded to New Buffalo Township to support the expansion of its recycling station.

Funds will be used to purchase a new recycling bin for the township and to provide for additional recycling pickups during the summer months.

• $11,447 was awarded to New Buffalo Township to purchase beach markers.

Beach markers will enable emergency personnel to quickly find a person or a problem on the beaches in New Buffalo Township.

$11,400 was awarded to Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra to underwrite the annual Independence Day Concert.

For the third year in a row, The Pokagon Fund’s gift will allow for free admission to all who attend this outdoor concert.

This year’s patriotic concert will be July 3 at Lion’s Pavilion Park in New Buffalo.
• $6,600 was awarded to the LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts to support year two of the scouting program in New Buffalo.

LaSalle Council began providing after-school scouting in New Buffalo last year.
This grant continues the support of the growth of this program.

• $1,800 was awarded to the Miss New Buffalo Committee to provide improvements to the Miss New Buffalo float.

Funding will provide repairs to the siding, new tires and brake lights for the Miss New Buffalo float.

“The Pokagon Fund would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kyra Heit for being crowned Miss Blossomtime and Ruben Hanohano, Mr. Blossomtime first runner-up. You’ve made our community very proud,” Dunbar said.