Blue Springs and Eastern Jackson County is blessed to have many generous philanthropists. Truman Heartland Community Foundation is just one of the organizations that works to connect philanthropists with non-profit organizations.  Following are the guidelines that an area non-profit would follow to apply for grants with the Truman Heartland Community Foundation.

For more information, please contact: Director of Programs and Donor Services Truman Heartland Community Foundation 300 North Osage Independence, MO 64050

Phone: (816) 836-8189 Fax: (816) 836-8898 Email: mcclure@thcf.org

Truman Heartland Community Foundation Community Grants Program Guidelines

Overview

It is the mission of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation to improve area communities by promoting private giving for public good. Since its beginning in 1982, Truman Heartland Community Foundation (THCF) has taken a needs-based approach to philanthropy. Conducting annual needs assessments in the communities it serves, THCF has become an expert in listening and responding to community needs by providing creative charitable solutions and resources.

From its community-wide assessments THCF has prioritized funding to address the many community needs; funding priorities are detailed in these grant guidelines. Today, THCF manages more than $35 million in assets, comprised of over 550 charitable funds established by individuals, charities, businesses and municipalities. THCF’s family of charitable fundholders make annual grants totaling more than $3 Million to benefit the local, national and global community! It is the generosity and commitment of THCF charitable fund advisors that enables the foundation to respond to community needs. THCF has established affiliate foundations in Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Lee’s Summit and Raytown and supports three foundation initiatives: THCF Charitable Reinvestment Foundation, Jackson County Free Health Clinic and THCF Youth Advisory Council. Nonprofit Business Solutions, a supporting organization, joined THCF in December of 2005.

While THCF charitable fund advisors award grants year-round at their discretion, THCF awards grants from its unrestricted funds during one annual session. At the donors’ requests, these grants are limited to the following guidelines.

More...

Avoiding Census Fraud

Article 1, Section 2 of our Constitution directs that an enumeration of the people take place every 10 years. The census is used to determine representation and to divide up federal dollars.

Experts tell us that Missouri is on the edge of losing a representative after the 2010 census is completed at the end of this year. Not only would there be one less member of Congress representing Missouri in Washington, but also Missouri’s share of federal dollars would decrease. Missouri needs everyone to be counted in order to get our fair share.

However, there are those who try to take advantage of the confusion surrounding the once a decade count. It’s important to know that all census takers will have an official government badge. You may ask the census worker for a picture ID to confirm their identity. In addition, never under any circumstances will a census worker ask to enter your home, contact you by email, ask for a donation, your social security number or bank account number.

As the 2010 census takes place, you will receive a letter from the Census Bureau Director, notifying you that your household will receive a form in the mail, or a phone call from the Census Bureau, or a visit from a Census Bureau representative.

While it is important that Missouri gets a full and accurate count; it is also important that you do not fall for a scam or fraud. You can find more information about the census online at www.census.gov

Sincerely,

Sam Graves

Listen to your favorite music, get BSSD news every hour, up-to-date weather forecasts, and hear LIVE BSSD High School DJs in the late afternoons and early evenings!

BSSD RADIO will also broadcast LIVE sporting events, take music requests, have giveaways and much more!

Music Programming:

Midnight to 3pm – Lite Rock
3pm to 6pm – Top 40!
6pm to 8pm – Tween Time Rock!
8pm – 80s at 8!
9pm to Midnight – Lite Rock

Sundays – Classical Favorites

NOW!

Find us always at www.bssdradio.net

BDDS RADIO is commercial free and all music is screened.  This is just the beginning!  Our programming will grow throughout 2010 as our students become the driving force for this station.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Stevens, 816.836.8189

A Familiar Face:

Truman Heartland Community Foundation Appoints New CEO

HEARTLAND NEWS (January 4, 2010) – While change is in the air at the Community

Foundation, a familiar face has been invited to serve as President & CEO. A former executive with the Heart of America United Way, Phillip J. Hanson, has been appointed to the position. THCF Board Chairman, Vicki Digby, shares “The Board is excited to have Phil Hanson as the new CEO. Having served the Kansas City nonprofit community for more than 25 years, Phil brings a wealth of experience in development and community leadership that will serve him and the Foundation well.”

Phillip shares, “It’s a privilege to serve in this role. I look forward to working with our donors, community partners and volunteer leadership to create thriving communities throughout the Heartland. I see the Truman Heartland Community Foundation as a powerful tool for charitable giving. I’m excited to begin working together with donors and leaders to make positive change in our communities.”

Truman Heartland Community Foundation is a public charity committed to “improving area communities by promoting private giving for the public good”. After 27 years of service, THCF continues to serve the region with assets reaching $25 million and annual grants surpassing $3 million. THCF provides a wide range of services to donors and grant seekers alike. For more information on charitable giving, visit us online at www.thcf.org or call the office at 816.836.8189.

###

As we approach the end of 2009, we each have the opportunity to reflect on the past year, and to look forward to 2010 and to the next decade.

What will the future bring to our community? What exciting prospects does the new year hold? The last few years have seen great improvements in our city, as the refurbishing of blighted properties has continued and new shopping and dining establishments have begun to open their doors.

Last weekend, I had the pleasure of sharing my day with some very special people, ringing bells for the Salvation Army. I also spent a few hours collecting donations for local charities and supporting our local Chicago Street Lights. The generosity of the people in our community is a true blessing.

As I visit with people throughout Blue Springs, I find that we are thankful to live in a city that has weathered the current economic storm reasonably well. We have friends and neighbors who care about our city and care about each other as well.

Our elected leaders strive to find ways to work together, to listen to each other and the needs of our citizens. Developers are seeing improvement in the city’s processes as they seek to invest here. There are still opportunities for improvement, but the city appears to be heading in the right direction on most issues.

Most importantly, we are positioned to excel as the national economy improves. I am hopeful that we will see our city truly blossom in the coming years.
I want to thank my readers for your support and encouragement over the past few years. I will be taking a break from writing for a few weeks to spend time with family. In my next article, on Jan. 13, I will begin a series of articles that will give a glimpse of the exciting things to come for our city in 2010 and beyond.

I am grateful to live in such an excellent community, and for the privilege of sharing it with so many caring people. Have a very merry Christmas and together let’s have a happy 2010!

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI

MEDIA ADVISORY

903 W. Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 — P: 816.228.0137 — F: 816.228.7592 — W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: December 3, 2009

CONTACT: Steve Willman, Operations Manager

Phone: 816.228.0237, Cell: 816.935.2685

Email: swillman@bluespringsgov.com

20^th Annual Chipping of the Green Christmas Tree Recyling Program

Beginning December 26^th, the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department will offer its annual “Chipping of the Green” Christmas Tree Recycling Program for the community. The program runs through Sunday, January 17^th, and is free to individual residents that would like to dispose of their used Christmas trees in a safe and environmentally friendly manner. Commercial vendors may also participate for a nominal fee.

Residents may take their used tree, with all ornaments, tinsel and plastic wrapping removed, to Pink Hill Park, 2715 Park Road, located just west of 7 Highway, anytime daily from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. Trees will be accepted for drop-off at the west parking lot, near the Park Maintenance Garage. Following the completion of the program, the trees will be chipped by departmental staff into fertilizer mulch for use with trees and plant beds throughout the park system.

Do make sure to remove all Christmas tree trimmings. Most trimmings – tinsel, lights, ornaments, and others are reusable. Trimmings left on the tree can contaminate mulch, pollute water, harm wildlife and cause litter problems.

Since 1990 the program has disposed of 25,482 trees.

For further information, contact the Blue Springs Parks & Recreation Department at (816) 228-0137.

Preregister with Parks & Recreation, by phone with Visa, Discover, or Master Card, on line at www.bluespringsgov.com, by mail or in person, at City Hall, 903 W. Main Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information call the Parks & Recreation office at 228-0137.

###

CITY OF BLUE SPRINGS, MISSOURI

MEDIA ADVISORY

903 W. Main Street Blue Springs, MO 64015 — P: 816.228.0137 — F: 816.228.7592 — W: www.bluespringsgov.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: December 3, 2009

CONTACT: Pam Buck, Superintendent of Recreation

Phone: 816.228.0238, Cell: 816.645.0287

Email: pbuck@bluespringsgov.com

Holiday Home Decorating Contest

“Tis the Season” to decorate your home exterior for the Blue Springs Holiday Home contest. Do you or someone you know living in Blue Springs, go all out decorating their home and lawn with holiday lights, wreaths, and/or figurines? If so, nominate them for the new “Spirit of the Week” Holiday Decorating Contest. Each week, one home that displays extraordinary holiday spirit will be recognized. A picture of the winner will be displayed in the Blue Springs Examiner newspaper and on the Parks & Recreation Web site. Be on the lookout for the brightest and best decorated home in Blue Springs or enter your own home. The winning homes will be chosen on December 1, 8, 15, & 22. Contact the Parks & Recreation Department at 228-0137 to register your favorite pick of the season.

Preregister with Parks & Recreation, by phone with Visa, Discover, or Master Card, on line at www.bluespringsgov.com, by mail or in person, at City Hall, 903 W. Main Street. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For additional information call the Parks & Recreation office at 228-0137.

###