Serving the Community - Kuna Grange #59
IDAHO STATE GRANGE
2020 COMMUNITY SERVICE REPORT FORM
Grange Name: Kuna Grange Grange No. : 59
City: Kuna County: Ada State: Idaho Zip: 83634
Chairperson’s Name: Michele Mattice Gumm, Lecturer and Community Service Chairperson
Chairperson’s Address: 761 N Orchard Ave City: Kuna
State: Idaho Zip: 83634 Telephone: 208.922.4866
Master’s Name: Robert Gumm
Signature of Community Service Chairperson: ____________________________________
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
September 1, 2019 through August 25, 2020
Number of Grange members:
Number of Grange members involved in projects:
Number of Community Citizens who helped in projects:
Total hours given by Grangers: Community Citizens:
How was project(s) selected? Our projects are selected based on both community need and Kuna Grange member interests and abilities.
How did you inform the public of your project? We inform the public of our service projects and events primarily through the local newspaper, the Kuna Melba News, posting on community bulletin boards, and also through posting information on our Kuna Grange Facebook page:
Feed the community:
www. Facebook.com/KunaGrange and other social media.
OCTOBER 2019-AUGUST 2020
STAPLE DRIVE
The local community pantry stated there is an ongoing need for flour, sugar and salt…the “Staples”. Kuna Grange members agreed to continue again this year with this project. It is a year-long “Staple Drive” and is much appreciated by our local pantry.
OCTOBER 2019 STATE GRANGE CONVENTION
PROJECT MEN
Kuna Grange participated in the State Grange Convention Project Men. Combs, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste and trail mix packets were made and donated towards the project.
KUNA CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATE FORUM
OCTOBER 17, 2019
Sponsored by the Kuna Grange #59 and Kuna Chamber of Commerce. Five candidates were vying for two positions on the City Council. One of them, our own Grange member Briana Buban-Vonder Haar. Questions ranged from reason to being on the Council to Philosophy on Politics. The forum lasted 2 hours and was well attended. Kuna Grange served Juice and cookies.
THANKSGIVING FOOD BASKETS
NOVEMBER 2019
Another yearly community service project that we can not image coordinating with members. Two local family becomes the receiptent of a lot of food…enough for a Thanksgiving meal and a couple more.
CHRISTMAS FOOD BASKETS
DECEMBER 2019
Food and Costco gift cards for more food, clothes or Christmas gifts. Another two local families are chosen for their need.
BOOKS FOR COMMUNITY CHILDREN
OCTOBER 2019 THROUGH DECEMBER 2019
Kuna Grange feels strongly about literacy in our community. Children’s books were collected by members and donated to the program Operation Wishbook, to be included in the FFA food boxes distributed to local families.
DECEMBER 07, 2019
GRANGE HOLIDAY DINNER
Kuna Grange had its holiday dinner and much food and fun was had. The Mayor, city council men and women and their families were also invited and attended. The State Master and family were also invited and attended. It was nice to include them with our festivities.
DECEMBER 19, 2019
CHAMBER CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
Every year the Kuna Grange, with holiday spirit, opens its doors, as a community service, for the Kuna Chamber of Commerce to have their holiday luncheon. Many people attended, Grange members as well, and the music provided by the high school choir was amazing.
NOVEMBER 2019 - FEBRUARY 2020
GAME NIGHTS FOR THE COMMUNITY
A yearly Fall/Winter tradition and community favorite for fun and fellowship. Many community members look forward to Saturday night game night!
JANUARY 2020
FFA SPEECH COMPETITION
This annual event provides a forum for FFA members to hone their public speaking skills. All participants did very well and were very professional. The Kuna Grange is proud to sponsor this event yearly and look forward to supporting for many years into the future. Forty plus people attended, and the Grange served refreshments.
Prepared participants:
1st Place – Amy Heikkila
2nd Place – Natalie Ayala
3rd Place – Saydee Henning
Extemp participants:
1st Place – Brooklyn Lowe
2nd Place – Makayla Greany
3rd Place – Claire Shelton
Meet me at the Grange! FEBRUARY-APRIL 2020
NATIONAL GRANGE 2020 PUBLICITY ITEM CONTEST
Kuna Grange participated in the National Grange 2020 Publicity item contest. A Flyer was created with information about the Kuna Grange and our community activities, and was posted around town and sent to the local newspapers and television in April.
The flyer was titled “Meet me at the Grange”.
FEBRUARY 17, 2020
GRANGE DAY AT THE CAPITAL/LEGISLATURE
Members of the local Granges spent the day at the Capital Building in Boise discussing Grange ideals. Grange members supplied a table of baked refreshments, coffee and water.
FEBRUARY 24, 2020
DONATION TO THE IDAHO SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF AND BLIND
Kuna Grange voted unanimously to donate money to the local Deaf and Blind school. This is an annual donation that we feel is important.
MARCH 06, 2020
WORDS FOR THIRDS PROJECT
This is an annual favorite of Kuna Grange members and much appreciated by the local school children, parents and school staff. Each third grade student receives a dictionary. This project has gone on for many years and effected many students in our community.
APRIL 2020
COVID 19 MASKS & DONATIONS
Kuna Grange members and collaboration with our northern friends, Bonnie Mitson, donated some wonderful masks to our local school district food program while they continue to provide meals for local children with school is closed. A big thank you to our northern sisters and brothers. Pictured Master Bert Gumm wearing a mask mad
e by Lecturer Michele Gumm, Kuna Grange. Picture of masks made my Northern Grange members. Arlene Ankenman sewed and provided colorful masks to those in need as well.
AND...
Kuna Grange members agreed to donate $50.00 to the Idaho Food Bank to provide meals for the increasing need due to the Corona Virus. For every dollar received the Idaho Food Bank is able to provide five meals, which makes our $50.00 donation turn into 250 meals. These are difficult times, and we all must do what we can do to help one another.
MAY 2020
SNO SHACK KUNA COMMUNITY TREAT
Every year the Grange offers, as a community service, the side of our lot for the Sno Shack to set up. They were deemed as essential, so were able to set up and open before many other businesses. They followed social distancing guidelines and many community members were thankful for the chance to get out and have a refreshing treat.
APRIL 2020
GRANGE MONTH AND HONOR COMMUNITY
“Cultivating Connections”
Due to the Corona Virus, we were unable to meet and have a presentation. Kuna Grange celebrated Grange Month via Social Networking and local newspapers and television. One of the multiple ads ran with Kuna Melba News were;
Kuna Grange has been Cultivating Connections since 1910
From potlucks to participation in community events,
Organization gives members opportunities for interaction needed in face of wired world
Kuna, Idaho – Today we live in the most connected time in human history, but more people are reporting depression and loneliness than ever before. Social benefit societies and fraternal organizations may just be part of the cure for the distance we perceive – and during Grange Month 2020, Kuna Grange #59 and the more than 1,700 other local chapters of the organization across the country are highlighting just how membership can positively impact lives by “Cultivating Connections.” National Grange President Betsy Huber said it’s important that people feel like they have real and meaningful relationships with others in their community for many reasons. “There are health benefits to getting out and making friendships. There is a societal benefit as people see others with different opinions in a human way and are more tolerant. There are community benefits as people come together for common good,” Huber said. “These connections we make while attending meetings and events of organizations such as the Grange are important touchstones in civil society.”
Kuna Grange welcomes you to join us when we are permitted to meet again. For more information about the Kuna Grange #59, visit our Face Book page.
The following have been nominated for their contributions to our Kuna community and efforts to make our community a better place.
We thank them whole heartedly!
· Teacher of the Year: Mackenzie Dodd - Kuna High School
· Police Officer of the Year: Deputy Luis Torres – Kuna Police Station
· Fire Fighter of the Year: Matt Graham – Kuna Fire Station
· Citizen of the Year: Dave Lyon – Kuna Historical Society
· Granger of the Year: Florence Chaney - Kuna Grange #59
MAY 23, 2020
DECORATE PIONEER CEMETERY FOR MEMORIAL DAY
Kuna Grange members hung red, white and blue decorations and flags at the pioneer cemetery. An unfortunate incident left the cemetery fence and entry way damaged, and is still in the process of being re-vitalized. Once the city and historical society has a plan, Grange members will be there to help.
July 01, 2020
THANK YOU TO FIREFIGHTERS
Cookies and a cookie Jar were delivered to the Fire Station by two Grange members in appreciation for their service to the community, just in time for their busiest week.
JULY 25, 2019
QUILT OF VALOR PRESENTATION
Kuna Grange awarded a Quilt of Valor to Dave Lyon, dedicated supporter of the Kuna Historical Society, and veteran of the
US Air Force. Connie Emman did the honor of presenting. Picture Dave and his wife.
We appreciate Mr. Lyon’s service to our country AND community!