|
Oct. 7, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT: Bonnie Prigge, Luci Flaim 573-265-2993
MRCF welcomes Dunlap as Gasconade County director
Board inspired by Seymour’s community foundation
ST. JAMES – The Meramec Regional Community Foundation (MRCF) approved Doug Dunlap to be its Gasconade County representative at its October board meeting at the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC).
Dunlap, of Owensville in Gasconade County, also serves on the nominating committee for the soon-to-be formed Greater Owensville Community Foundation.
Dunlap has served as president of First State Community Bank in Owensville since 2009. He was previously a branch president for First Bank, covering the Owensville, Gerald and Beaufort locations. From 1994 to 2003 he was employed by Farm Credit Services as a branch manager and worked with the Union and Farmington offices.
Dunlap is a military veteran, having served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also volunteers with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6133, Owensville Chamber of Commerce and Lions Club.
During the meeting board members also watched a short video, which told the story of the Greater Seymour Area Foundation (GSAF), founded in 1998. Community Foundation of the Ozarks produced the video.
GSAF serves the city of Seymour, which has a population of 1,921. Today, GSAF has $1.5 million in assets and more than 40 funds. These assets were donated primarily through small donations. Once GSAF reached $30,000 in assets, it was able to begin distributing grants, which was one of its major goals.
“This is an example to show what a community foundation can do and the impact it can have on a community,” said MRCF President Laura Antolak.
The video followed members of GSAF as they visited community organizations that had received grants.
GSAF distributed grants for audio/visual equipment for the local police department, an automatic defibrillator for the fire department, Ensure for the senior center, a laptop, baseball bats and bleacher seats for the YMCA, books on tape for children at the city’s library, and much more.
Board members discussed the impact GSAF had on its community and noted the importance of involving as many people as possible in MRCF’s efforts, having determination to improve the quality of life in communities and to give generously.
“They get as many people engaged as they can. I think that is a critical piece. It is encouraging to see that,” Antolak said. “It’s identifying needs in a community and region and meeting those needs.”
Board members discussed scheduling meetings throughout the Meramec Region to continue educating groups on the foundation and its activities.
The next meeting for MRCF will be at 9:30 a.m. Nov. 2 at MRPC at 4 Industrial Drive in St. James.
MRCF is an outgrowth of the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and is an affiliate of the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, Springfield. MRCF was established in May 2010 and serves Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties outside of existing CFO affiliate areas.
For more information on MRCF, contact Luci Flaim at (573) 265-2993 or by email at lflaim@meramecregion.org.
Doug Dunlap of Owensville has been approved to serve as the Gasconade County representative for the Meramec Regional Community Foundation.
|
