21127 SCVF 2011AnnualReport - FOLIO Home

Stillwater Area Foundation
The Stillwater Area Foundation is the newest affiliate foundation in the St. Croix
Valley, and was established in May 2010. Its mission is “To create an endowment
fund for the greater Stillwater area that provides resources to enhance the quality of
life and encourage philanthropic activities.” SAF has made its first grants this year
and is currently going through a planning process.
Tom Weidner, Chair
Alex Neff, Vice Chair
Peter Clements, Treasurer
Joni Polehna, Secretary
Dr. Kevin Bjork
Dwight Cummins
Shannon Hooley Enright
Curt Geissler
Jill Greenhalgh
Maria Reamer
Eric St. Martin
For more information, contact:
Tom Weidner, Tweidner@eckberglammers.com u
STORIES OF GRANTS & PARTNERSHIPS
Health and Wellness Grants
Grants to Address Childhood Obesity
This year the SCVF launched a new grant program designed to address changing
health needs. To start, the Health and Wellness grants focused on childhood
obesity – a key health priority identified by five county public health departments
along the lower St. Croix River. Growing evidence shows that many young
people are increasingly sedentary, gravitating to a virtual indoor reality. For this
reason SCVF awarded grants to six programs that each explored the interactions
between physical activity and healthy eating while encouraging children and
families to experience the abundant natural resources our region has to offer.. our
parks, farms & gardens, open spaces, forests, trails, lakes and rivers.
When donors gave to SCVF’s Health and Wellness fund they did so knowing
the fund would address changing health needs – issues they might not have
considered when they made their gift. This is a dynamic grant program that will
evolve over time as health needs change. Some examples of the programs funded
this year:
Philadelphia Farms provides gardening experiences giving city
kids an opportunity to pick beans, dig carrots and learn where
their food comes from. And at the end of the day they take a
bushel of fresh foods back to the city.
Family Resource Center, St. Croix Valley took their ten week
play and learn groups outdoors, helping young parents learn
parenting skills along with nutritious eating. For the kids it was
about the birds, scavenger hunts and animal tracks.
Which way is North? This year eighth graders at Ellsworth
School District will embark on nature hikes – on dry ground or in
snow shoes – using their new skills reading a compass.
FamilyMeans created outdoor experiences to get young people active, exploring the Valley by foot, canoe
and by bike. Hudson School District did much the same – nature hikes, snowshoeing – giving students K-6 a
chance to be active in a non-competitive environment. u
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