The Waupaca Area Community Foundation, an affiliate of the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, awarded $75,260 in grants to local nonprofit organizations working in the arts, education, health care and services for youth to improve the quality of life in Waupaca County.

Jan DeVos with CAP Services, accepts $15,000 in grants from Dave Poeschl.

The grants were awarded from the WACF’s Waupaca Area Community Foundation Fund at its annual Celebration of Giving Sept. 26, at the Waupaca Ale House. The grant money comes from the fund, its annual gala and other contributions. Grants were awarded to:

• Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Fox Valley Region – Support for hiring a part-time, Waupaca-based specialist for the agency’s site-based mentoring program, $5,000.
• CAP Services – Ministry Dental Center for dental care, $5,000.
• CAP Services – Skills enhancement for working poor individuals, $5,000.
• CAP Services – Free help for low- or moderate-income taxpayers in completing their federal tax forms, $5,000.
• Catalpa Health – Support for the opening of a pediatric mental health clinic in Waupaca, $7,500.
• CHAPS Academy – Hope Lives Outpatient Therapy program, an equine-assisted suicide prevention and intervention program, $7,500.
• NAMI Fox Valley Inc. – Launch of a weekly teen support group in Waupaca, $7,500.
• Rawhide – The About Face community outreach program, which utilizes community service work to educate, encourage and rehabilitate at-risk young men, $7,500.
• Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church – Nutritious food and supplies for Project Backpack, which sends food home each weekend to sustain children in need, $7,500.
• Waupaca Community Arts Board – A week-long Bach Festival to experience Baroque-era music and culture, including writing, singing, listening
  and painting, $5,000.
• Waupaca County Sheriff’s Department – Help with purchasing ballistic helmets for full-time officers, $5,760.
• Waupaca County Suicide Prevention Coalition – A community education program with former Packer Chester Marcol, who will share his struggle with suicidal thoughts and addiction on Oct. 23 at Waupaca High School, $2,000.

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Lindsay Fenlon (left), executive director of
Big Brothers Big Sisters, receives a $10,000 grant
from Mary Zimmerman.