Spring break is hiding in plain sight
Recent news
With the support of a $25,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority, St. John Lutheran Church in New Ulm will upgrade playground equipment and make other improvements at its community park.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $64,540 in matching funds from the church, will pay for a covered pavilion, new playground equipment, and wheelchair-accessible sidewalks and table areas.
“Our church built this community park in the early 1990s,” said Bryan Haevischer, St. John Lutheran Church council member. “It’s outdated and badly needs to be upgraded. Getting a covered pavilion, new equipment and sidewalks will help the playground be used even more.”
Haevischer said the church is responsible for maintaining the park, which has restrooms that are available to the public 24/7.
He said the park is used every day, which is why he believes this renovation project is much needed and long overdue.
“Receiving this grant made this project possible for our community, and I’m so excited to get started,” Haevischer said. “This park will soon be an even better place for people to take their children. It will give families a nice spot to get away during the day and spend time together.”
The community grant is one of six grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and the LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available here
The Dale Volunteer Fire Department will purchase new battery-operated rescue tools, thanks to a $16,476 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $6,899 in matching funds from the department, will allow Dale VFD to purchase two sets of cordless, waterproof rescue tools that include a spreader to pry apart a wrecked vehicle, a ram to free a trapped victim and a cutting tool.
“We start the life-saving process,” said James Lewey, Dale VFD vice president. “As a combination fire and emergency medical services assist team, we often arrive at locations before the ambulance.”
The rescue tools will replace the department’s current tools that are heavy and often malfunction. Having battery-operated tools will allow first responders to move freely and quickly, without being hampered by tangled cords or hoses.
“We really need tools that allow us to be further away from the rescue truck,” Lewey said. “There have been times we’ve had to use our hand tools to cut through debris or wait for mutual aid to respond, which can take up to an hour. Having the right tools can make all the difference between life and death.”
Lewey also looks forward to the waterproof features of the new equipment.
“Our area has several low water crossings that are marked but not always visible during bad weather,” he said. “Having tools that are waterproof ensures they won’t short out when we’re in or near water.”
The community grant is one of six grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and the LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available here.
