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We've moved our Office!

2013-01-18T23:32:54Z

After five years at its current location, the Morton Community Foundation (MCF) will be relocating to 105 E. Jefferson Street in downtown Morton. Apostolic Christian Services (Timber Ridge) has purchased the former Jefferson Street Clinic building and will use most of the building as offices for the support staff for their Community Integrated Living Arrangements (CILAs). Home administration has graciously offered the remaining part of the building for the Morton Community Foundation to use as its primary office space.

Helping Achieve Your Dreams

2013-01-14T15:17:35Z

Sometime prior to the year 2000, a group had a first conversation about starting a Community Foundation in Morton. Mr. Phil Kuhl had heard of other communities that had started community foundations, and understood the potential long term benefit that could come from this. His dream turned into reality as he and a group of local business men and women created the first Board of Trustees of the new Morton Community Foundation incorporated on May 8, 2000.

MCF Trustees Lay Out a Plan for Long-Term Sustainability of the Foundation

2012-12-10T02:24:54Z

In the coming months, you’ll be hearing more about ways you can be involved in helping the Morton Community Foundation continue its good work in Morton. During the last decade, the MCF has become a part of this community and the community has embraced the mission and concept of what a Foundation can do and accomplish. Those accomplishments and efforts require dedication by staff and volunteers that work side by side to advance the goals and mission of the MCF.

As the MCF continues to grow, the Board of Trustees has created a plan to make sure the operations costs of the Foundation are met. They have established a two-pronged approach. They understand the need to meet the immediate costs for each year, as well as the need to plan for the future. The immediate operations costs are met by an annual fundraising event, donations from Trustees, as well as donations from businesses and individuals. At any time donors can make a contribution to the Today and Tomorrow Fund. The Today and Tomorrow Fund is designed to cover costs for each fiscal year.

The MCF Trustees also recognize the need to plan for the long-term sustainability of the Foundation. They have done that by creating an endowment fund called the Leadership Forever Fund. This fund is like other funds at the MCF. The interest generated from it is used for operations costs. The principal balance of this fund remains intact creating a permanent source of operational revenue for the MCF. The long-term goal of this fund is to reach the $3 million mark. At that time, the bulk of the operations costs of the MCF would be covered with the earnings from the Leadership Forever Fund. The Trustees recognize the $3 million mark may seem like an aggressive goal, but one that can be reached with commitment over a period of time.

For now, the MCF Trustees are asking donors to consider one or both of the funds for their charitable contributions. Donations to these funds assist the Trustees as they continue to plan for both today and for the future. All donations are important and impact the MCF. The long-term viability of the MCF depends on the continued support of donors at all levels. Thank you for your continued support!

Oktoberfest Fundraiser - Sehr Gut!

2012-10-10T15:01:00Z

PHOTOS RAFFLE ENTERTAINMENT

CLICK FOR MORE ON OKTOBERFEST 2012

Curtain Call at MJHS

2012-09-18T17:11:40Z

New gray stage curtain replaces last major green/white decor in MJHS Gymnasium.

Scott Witzig presented a $1,500 check to Morton Junior High School Principal, Lee Hoffman (Left) and Assistant Principal, Chris Carter (Center) to help offset the cost of this new gray, permanently and inherently flame retardant stage curtain. One of the benefits of buying a “permanently and inherently flame retardant” curtain is that it will not need to be cleaned and re-flame proofed every three years. This will save the school district over $2000 every three years. Morton Junior High School is in the final phase of a four year long project of changing school colors from green and white to cherry and gray. New signage outside and inside have been fabricated, the gymnasium walls and floor have new paint, and athletic uniforms have been replaced. One of the last remaining pieces of décor that was in need of replacing was the stage curtain. The current curtain was a faded green color and was also showing its age with a couple of tears that had been temporarily fixed.

Warm-Ups for Runners at MHS

2012-09-07T21:04:26Z

L to R: MHS Coaches, Richard Conklin, Joel Zehr, Dave Getz, MHS Boys and Girls Cross Country Runners, Scott Witzig, Mary Jane Johnson

MHS Cross Country Fund Generates First Grant!

The MHS Cross Country Fund, established in 2010, generated a grant this year toward the purchase of new warm-ups for the team members which will be used by the runners during the fall cross country season and then returned to be used again in subsequent seasons. The total grant was $750, with $500 coming from the MHS Cross Country Endowment Fund, and $250 coming from the Morton Impact Fund (Unrestricted Fund). This was the first grant from this fund. MHS Cross Country will receive a grant every year from now on.

As each cross-country season progresses, inclement weather is inevitably encountered. These new warm-ups will not only help instill a sense of pride in the runners who represent Morton high school, but will also protect them from the elements as they prepare for competitions. Currently, warm-ups are shared with the high school track team and are often in poor condition or are oversized for the build of the typical cross country runner. These garments are expected to last more than ten seasons and will be used by fifty or more young men and women each season.

Audio Speakers Boost Smart Board Experience at BSS

2012-08-29T21:19:36Z

L to R: Phil Kuhl (Morton Community Foundation), Andy Honegger (Blessed Sacrament Member), Janice Sherman (MCF Trustee), Scott Witzig (MCF Exec. Director), Laura Elam (MCF Trustee), Mike Birdoes (BSS Principal), Rob Personett (MCF Trustee)),

Mike Birdoes, Principal of Blessed Sacrament School received a grant from the Morton Community Foundation toward the purchase of 8 sets of SMART Board audio speakers. The SMART Board audio equipment purchased with this grant will improve the educational experience for students and teachers at the Blessed Sacrament school. For example, a history lesson on the Civil War can be enhanced with a video clip reenacting Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. A science lesson can be enriched by showing a video clip of an actual experiment taking place. A classroom of students in Morton could video conference with a classroom of students of the same age in China. Andy Honegger, member of Blessed Sacrament, wrote the grant request in behalf of BSS.

District 709 Special Ed Receives i-Pads

2012-08-29T20:05:44Z

Foundation gives $2,400 Grant to purchase iPads that will be used to address the learning and communication needs of students throughout the district.

Dana Ashby, Special Ed Director for District 709 submitted a grant request to the Morton Community Foundation in February, and received a check toward purchasing a set of classroom iPads. District 709 is committed to providing an appropriate education for all students and to finding instructional methods that allow each student to perform at their best capable level. According to recent data, Morton has 14% of its student population with an identified eligibility for special education services. Two percent of District 709's student population has eligibilities in autism or cognitive disability and nearly four percent of students have identified speech and language needs. There are numerous iPad applications that will be used to address the learning needs of these students in order to help them achieve and to communicate.

Home of the Potters!

2012-08-29T19:45:03Z

$550 Grant from the Morton Community Foundation buys new vinyl clad backstop padding clad in MJHS school colors and logo!

Chris Carter, Assistant Principal of Morton Junior High School submitted and received a grant from the Morton Community Foundation that was used toward the purchase of new, vinyl backstop padding clad in school colors and logo. Signage was also added to the backstop fence indicating “Home of the Potters” and designating “Potters” and “Guests” dugouts. In 2009, the Morton Junior High softball program moved its home games from a converted baseball field at Westwood Park, to its current location directly behind MJHS. It is now home to both the MJHS softball program and the MHS freshmen and sophomore teams. In the last three years, dugouts were constructed, a scoreboard added, and a removable fence installed to make the field game-ready. This new backstop padding and signage are the next step towards making this field a source of school and community pride through the Morton Softball Program.

Community Garden - Growing for Others

2012-07-27T16:21:26Z

Scott Witzig (center) presented Lori Lewis, Elder and Session Clerk (Left), and Mike Johnson, Treasurer (Right), of First Presbyterian Church, with a $450 grant toward the purchase of fencing materials, plants, and seeds for their "Ada's Acre" Community Garden. The Morton Community Foundation also provided a grant in 2011 in the amount of $1,100 toward Ada's Acre to help defray costs of preparation, fencing, plant & seed purchases, and to help purchase a roto-tiller.

A portion of the garden plot is tended by church members to provide fresh vegetables to those in need. Church members provide produce to the food pantries at We Care and Trinity Church’s Community Harvest. This year's garden will be expanded again and will cover 4200 square feet (over twice its original size). The fencing materials are expected to last for a number of years.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Ada's Acre.