(WEST HARRISON, Indiana – December 18, 2024) Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is pleased to announce the Siemer Milling Endowment for Youth Leadership Development has awarded three grants totaling $6,000 to the following nonprofit agencies in Dearborn County, Indiana.
Dearborn County CASA (Community Advocating for Substance Abuse Awareness) has been awarded a $5,000 grant to facilitate the 2025 Youth Summit, their largest outreach event. This event brings over six hundred eighth-grade students from all junior high schools in Dearborn County to a local event center for a day of substance abuse prevention activities. High school student leaders in the DCYA program will design and facilitate games, videos, and other activities to educate the students on making healthy choices. The funding will ensure a rejuvenated experience with a keynote speaker and a band to highlight the importance of avoiding drug, alcohol, and tobacco addiction.
The Dearborn County 4-H Association received a $1,000 Siemer grant to continue updating outdated and unsafe equipment for the 4-H dog project. Last year’s grant allowed for some equipment replacement, but rising costs limited the amount purchased. This year’s grant will complete the safety equipment update, including green vinyl mats to prevent tripping hazards and sturdier fencing to contain dogs during shows. The new equipment is expected to last 10-15 years and support the growing number of participants, which increased from 2 to 22 members last year.
The Siemer Milling Company Endowment for Youth Leadership Development, a fund of Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation, was established in 2006 to provide a permanent source of funding to programs in Effingham County that support young leaders’ development. Since its inception, the Siemer Milling Company Endowment has contributed more than $400,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Effingham County, Illinois, Franklin and Dearborn County, Indiana: Harrison, Ohio in Hamilton County: and Christian County, Kentucky.
For more information, please contact Alex Pleasant, CEO/President, at 217-342-4988 or alex@southeasternillinois.org.
Pictured L-R: Allan Weiss, CASA & staff and Dawn Schuman, Siemer Milling Company
Pictured L-R: Dawn Schuman, Siemer Milling & Elizabeth Beiersdorfer, Dearborn 4-H Association.
