It was a big day for the Lincoln County Historical Museum and the Maywood/Wellfleet Fire District.
Mike Sughroue with the Monsanto Fund, presented $2,500 to each of the organizations today, after they were nominated by local farmer Willis Roethemeyer through the “America’s Farmers Grow Communities” program. Under this program, eligible farmers in 1, 271 counties across 39 states, including Nebraska, could enter to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit of their choice. Roethemeyer won and chose to direct the donation to the Lincoln County Historical Museum. As an added bonus, the Monsanto Fund is providing twice the financial support to counties that have been declared natural disaster areas by the USDA. Lincoln County was one such county, and Roethemeyer chose to direct the additional award to the Maywood-Wellfleet Rural Fire Department.
Roethemeyer chose these organizations because he has been involved with the Museum for 10 years, and feels that it plays an extremely vital role in preserving the history of Lincoln County for generations present as well as future, and he was one of the key players in the formation of the Maywood-Wellfleet Rural Fire Department and understands the importance of a well equipped and functional rural fire department.
James Griffin, Director of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, stated that the Museum plans to use the funds to enhance their 4th Grade History Day program along with many other projects planned at the Museum. While Gary Doxon, Chief of the Maywood Fire Department, stated that they will use the funds to purchase additional protective gear for their volunteer firefighters.
The purpose of the “America’s Farmers Grow Communities” program is to recognize the vital role that America’s farmers play and to help them grow their communities by supporting local organizations that are important to them. More than 60,000 farmers across the country participated in the program this year, and one winning farmer was selected in each eligible county.
Since 1964, the Monsanto Fund has worked to substantially and meaningfully improve people’s lives. Just as Monsanto Company has been the leader in innovative and sustainable agriculture, the Monsanto Fund has worked to be an innovative philanthropic leader, providing sustainable assistance to communities in need around the world.