2007

Tax Incentives Available Until December 31

 United Way St. Croix Valley reminds people age 70 ½ and older that they have a one-time opportunity to take advantage of a tax incentive for IRA assets charitable contributions made by December 31, 2007. 

This type of contribution may result in a significant income tax deduction.  The gift can also count toward the Required Minimum Distribution (RMD).  This can be an attractive option for taxpayers who don’t usually itemize deductions.   

 Most charities are eligible to receive qualified charitable distributions (QCDs).  Consult a financial or tax advisor to determine if this option is right for you. 

November, 2007

United Way Reaches Fifty Percent Mark – Needs Community Support

United Way St. Croix Valley is only at fifty percent of the goal for the annual fundraising campaign.  Hudson Campaign Chair John Knutson strongly believes in United Way as a means to put charitable donations where they are most needed.  “It is frustrating to see the campaign lagging behind previous years because a single contribution can help so many local charities do their important work,” said Knutson. 

 “Frankly, we’re worried.  We try to wrap up our campaign before people get too preoccupied with the holiday season, and we’re just not there yet.  We are counting on people to make their campaign contribution in the next couple of weeks so that we can meet the ever-increasing community need,” said John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director. 

 Last year at this time, the price of gas hovered between $2.00 and $2.29 a gallon. This year, gas prices are averaging $3.16 a gallon.  Gas prices are projected to skyrocket yet again this winter.  That increase means that people already struggling to make ends meet have less money for food and housing.  The United Way funded homeless shelter, Grace Place, has been at capacity for most of the year with no indication of decreased need.  Local food pantries have also seen greatly increased demand. 

“We have been out in the community meeting with business owners and companies running employee campaigns and everyone is feeling the pinch.  What we really need is for new businesses and individuals to join this community effort to address our local needs,” said Linda Lia, Development and Marketing Manager for United Way.

 Couple gasoline and heating prices with the current housing crisis and the scene reflects a troubled economy with a greater need for nonprofit programs that meet basic needs.  “United Way St. Croix Valley will work diligently to fund United Way initiatives, such as Success By 6 and the new Food Resource Center, and to fund the eighty partner agency programs that are so critical to the health and safety of our communities,” Coughlin said.

 United Way St. Croix Valley’s campaign goal is $1,175,000.  People interested in contributing online can do so at www.unitedwaystcroix.org by clicking the “Click and Give” icon. For more information or to request a pledge form call United Way St. Croix Valley at 715-377-0203.

United Way Kicks Off Fundraising Campaign

United Way St. Croix Valley launched its 2007 Fundraising Campaign at a Rotary Club of New Richmond luncheon on September 10th. Other campaign kick-off events will occur at the Hudson Chamber of Commerce Spotlight at Kilkarney Hills Golf Club in River Falls and at area businesses.

United Way St. Croix Valley Announces Special Grant for 1-35 Bridge Collapse United Way St. Croix Valley Board

President Jim Dahl has announced that a special grant of $5,000 has been approved for the Twin Cities chapter of the American Red Cross. The emergency funds are earmarked for the I-35 Bridge Collapse Disaster Relief Fund.

John Coughlin, Executive Director, said “Our compassion goes out to the families and loved ones of those who perished in the I-35W bridge collapse. So many people in Western Wisconsin commute to the Twin Cities every day that a real bond exists. We feel that it is important to show our support for everyone affected by this tragedy.”

Local residents wishing to donate blood or provide financial support can get further information from the Red Cross. Additional information is also available at The Salvation Army and the City of Minneapolis.

Donors should specify that their gift should be designated to the I-35 Bridge Collapse Disaster Relief Fund if that is their intent.

June 7, 2007 Contact: Linda Lia

United Way and Trinity Lutheran Break Ground on Food Resource Center

United Way St. Croix Valley and Trinity Lutheran Church broke ground on a Food Resource Center that will serve St. Croix and Pierce Counties. The building will also house Trinity’s We Do Feet ministry.

Pastor Tim Booth of Trinity Lutheran Church opened the “ground blessing” ceremony with a prayer. He spoke of the importance of doing Jesus’ work in our communities. He said, “Jesus works through his people and we at Trinity Lutheran Church are excited to be part of this project to help people meet their basic needs. This Center will ensure that people have enough food and can also obtain good used furniture for their homes.”

Jim Miller, president of the Trinity Lutheran Church Board, introduced guests from Trinity and the United Way board and staff. Les Berg from Trinity’s We Do Feet explained that the group takes in used furniture and appliances, does needed repairs and then gets the items out to families in need. Berg said this is a perfect opportunity to partner and meet dual needs.

“I am thrilled to be here today to celebrate this important joint endeavor,” John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director, said. “This project has moved very quickly from the time United Way first saw the need and our ability to support the work of the food pantries and shelters in our communities. There simply isn’t enough storage for all the food that is needed to feed the hungry and this building will change that. Trinity and our lead donors quickly joined the drive to lead us to today’s turning of the soil.”

Coughlin introduced major donors to the Food Resource Center. Lead supporters include: Ken Heiser, First National Bank of Hudson – soon to be part of the Associated Bank family; Jim Wookey, WESTconsin Credit Union; Heather McAbee, Bremer Bank in New Richmond, representing the Otto Bremer Foundation; and David Griffith and Jill Shannon from the St. Croix Valley Community Foundation.

Coughlin also thanked Nor-Lake Industries for the pledged donation of a freezer/cooler, and County Market, Hudson for the donation of shelving and lighting for the facility. Other donors have brought United Way to over 75% of the $250,000 fundraising goal for the building. He went on to explain that this facility will support an ongoing partnership with SUPERVALU. Since 2005, United Way has coordinated donations of surplus food and products from SUPERVALU to support local anti-hunger programs. Coughlin also mentioned a new partnership with Second Harvest Heartland and explained that shipments from Second Harvest will be received at the facility. Pantry and shelter volunteers will come to the Food Resource Center when they need to restock the shelves or pick up fresh and frozen foods. United Way’s overall goal for the project is to bring more surplus food into the Valley to ensure that no child ever goes to bed hungry.

Coughlin then invited those present to don hardhats and pick up the gold shovels for the official groundbreaking for the Food Resource Center.

Western Wisconsin / Food center fundraising begins United Way needs $250,000 to build storage, distribution facility in Hudson

BY KEVIN HARTER Pioneer Press

Article Last Updated: 05/17/2007 09:58:53 PM CDT

Pierce and St. Croix counties are among the wealthiest in the state, but thousands of people are going hungry, and a campaign is under way to put more food on more tables.

The United Way St. Croix Valley has begun a $250,000 fundraising campaign to build a food resource center in Hudson, a warehouse that would stock and supply food for programs that feed the needy.

"Food is arguably the most basic need for families and individuals in our community. The 10 food pantries serving Pierce and St. Croix counties have limited space to store food, and often the shelves are empty before the need is served," said John Coughlin, executive director of United Way St. Croix Valley.

The facility would store food and commodities for distribution to the food pantries, community meal programs and shelters. An industrial-size freezer and cooler inside will ensure a steady supply of milk, cheese, eggs and fresh fruits and vegetables.

The warehouse and distribution center will cost about $150,000 to build, with the remainder used for maintenance and operations. United Way officials hope to have it open in September.

Building the new facility will improve efficiency at the food distribution programs, Coughlin said. And several unique partnerships should ensure success.

Trinity Lutheran Church in Hudson provided the site for the facility. And grocer Supervalu, which began making large donations to United Way in 2005, has agreed to provide more food once the facility is operational.

"Supervalu has been great to us. ... Before Supervalu, we were running out of food," said Duana Bremer, director of Grace Place, a Somerset, Wis.-based shelter that also houses a food pantry.

The new facility also will be used to collect and store venison donated by area deer hunters. Last year, more than 23,000 pounds of venison were donated and processed.

St. Paul-based Second Harvest Heartland, the largest distributor of donated food in the region, which includes west-central Wisconsin, reported that the number of individuals served by member agencies has risen 45 percent since 2001 to 169,000.

"The food pantries - all of them - have seen increased need, which in this region has to do with the high costs of housing. Most of these people are not the stereotype. They are low-income, working people," said Coughlin.

"For some, it's food versus fuel or food versus medicine. It is a very critical issue," said Patrick Pesek-Herriges, of West CAP, a nonprofit social service agency serving food pantries and congregate meal sites in seven Wisconsin counties.

Kevin Harter can be reached at Pioneer Press or 800-950-9080, ext. 2149.

For More Information

For more information, go to www.unitedwaystcroix.org or call 715-377-0203

Local United Way Launches Campaign to Build Food Resource Center

United Way St. Croix Valley has launched a $250,000 fundraising campaign to build a Food Resource Center in Hudson with the goal of ending hunger in Western Wisconsin.

According to Second Harvest Heartland, the largest distributor of food in the Midwest, “Food insecurity exists whenever the availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods is uncertain or the ability to acquire food in socially acceptable ways is limited. Hunger is the uneasy or painful sensations caused by lack of food.”

Families and seniors in our communities often face the tough choice between buying food, paying rent or buying prescription medicines. And the number of families struggling to meet their basic needs is increasing every week. Second Harvest Heartland reports that individuals served by member agencies rose to 169,600 per month in 2005: an alarming 45% increase since 2001.

“Food is arguably the most basic need for families and individuals in our community.

The ten food pantries serving Pierce and St. Croix Counties have limited space to store food and often the shelves empty out before the need is served. And there is often no place to store perishable food such as milk, cheese and the fresh produce,” said John Coughlin, Executive Director.

United Way St. Croix Valley’s facility will store food and commodities for redistribution to food pantries, Grace Place shelter, the domestic abuse shelter and community meal programs. The Food Resource Center’s industrial-sized freezer and cooler will mean that pantries will have a steady supply of milk, cheese, eggs, fruits and fresh vegetables – bringing more food into the Valley. Pantry volunteers will pick up perishables at designated times for redistribution to residents of Pierce and St. Croix Counties.

The Food Resource Center will also provide freezer storage for donated venison. Hunters in the St. Croix Valley generously provide venison for hungry families and seniors. Last year, over 23,000 pounds of meat was processed into burger – triple the amount donated in the previous year.

United Way has an opportunity to build the Center as the result of a special partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church. Trinity has agreed to lease the land for the building for $1 per year – making this important distribution center possible at a greatly reduced cost. The Center will be built at the Trinity Family Center on Highway 12 and Badlands Road in Hudson.

The building will also have a significant amount of open area that will be used for Trinity Lutheran Church’s “We Do Feet” ministry. The focus of this program is to help the needy by collecting, repairing and donating used furniture, beds and other household items. The space could also be used a distribution site for emergency supplies in case of a community crisis.

“Jesus teaches us that our life is to be a life of service. At Trinity, we try in practical, concrete, hands-on ways to provide the help and service that I think Jesus talks about,” said Rev. Tim Booth, Trinity Lutheran Church.

Another driving reason for the project is United Way St. Croix Valley’s unique relationship with grocer SUPERVALU. Since 2005, SUPERVALU has partnered with United Way by making quarterly donations of surplus food and products to United Way St. Croix Valley for redistribution to food pantries, shelters and community meals. These programs lack space to accept these donations directly.

Currently, the semi-trailer deliveries of food from SUPERVALU are dropped at whatever business United Way can find that is willing to provide a corner of their warehouse. SUPERVALU has offered to increase the frequency of the donations when the Food Resource Center is complete.

Bulk commodities, available through county and state programs, will also become a resource for the food pantries. The Center will be a drop site for large deliveries of food ordered from Second Harvest Heartland. Pantries can use cash donations to cover Second Harvest’s modest handling charge and get about $9 worth of food products for every $1 spent. Food can be safely stored at the Center until the pantries need it.

The $250,000 fundraising campaign has two components. $150,000 will be used to construct the building. The St. Croix Valley Community Foundation has committed a dollar for dollar match of $50,000 to create a $100,000 long-term fund for maintenance and operations of the facility.

United Way St. Croix Valley already has a strong partnership with nonprofit agencies working to address basic human needs – shelters, meal programs emergency assistance and food pantries. The Food Resource Center will take these critical community programs to a whole new level of service to those in need in Pierce and St. Croix Counties.

United Way sees five concrete outcomes as a result of this project:

There will be a more efficient and cost-effective means to receive and store large quantities of food; Pantries will no longer run out of food and families can get the food that they need; Families can stretch limited budgets by receiving food, used furniture and other household items; Food will be available when subsidized school breakfast and lunch programs are closed during the summer months; and The Center will store household items such as medical supplies, toiletries, diapers, cleaners and paper products that cannot be purchased with food stamps.

“We invite community members and area businesses to be active partners in supporting this fight to end hunger,” said United Way Board President Jim Dahl. “Together we will ensure that no child in the St. Croix Valley ever goes to bed hungry! “

For more information, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org , or call 715-377-0203 ext. 102.

May 2007 CONTACT: John Coughlin or Linda Lia at 715-377-0203

River Falls Area Hospital, Family Resource Center and United Way Announce Success By 6 Partnership

River Falls Area Hospital, Family Resource Center and United Way Announce Success By 6 Partnership River Falls Area Hospital, Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley and United Way St. Croix Valley have announced plans to implement a new Success By 6 program for infants. A Parent Educator from the Family Resource Center will meet with the families of newborns during their hospital stay, and weekly “Baby and Me” classes for parents and their infant children will be offered throughout the year.

Success By 6 is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development, increase access to services, and advocate for public policies to improve young children’s lives. United Way’s Success By 6 initiative is now in more than 300 communities nationwide. United Way St. Croix Valley’s Board made a commitment to strengthen early childhood development, and selected a local board to guide those efforts.

River Falls Area Hospital will help put the recommendations of the Success By 6 work team into practice. The work team, comprised of healthcare and early childhood development professionals, met over a period of several months in 2006 to determine what services would have the greatest impact on new families. Their unanimous recommendation was that new parents receive information about the programs and services that will best meet their family’s needs.

“We know that the quality of life for a child and the contributions the child makes later in life can be traced to the first few years of life. Our partnership with United Way and the River Falls Area Hospital is the community link that will help parents provide the best start possible for their children – right from birth,” says Patty Draxler, Executive Director of the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley.

Leading research on brain development shows that early experiences have a dramatic impact on the brain. Family Resource Center’s Parent Educators use research-based curriculum to provide age appropriate information to parents, children’s first and best teachers.

The in-hospital visit and Baby and Me classes are both facilitated by a Family Resource Center Infant Specialist. These new services complement existing programs, which include pre-natal classes and parent education classes. The hospital and Family Resource Center will track outcomes of the program to measure success.

River Falls Area Hospital made a two-year commitment to fund this infant/family support program. United Way St. Croix Valley will match these funds. Heather Logelin, Foundation Director at River Falls Area Hospital, is excited about the way Success By 6 uses a regional approach to early childhood programs. “The United Way brought together people from throughout our area to look at how we can provide a seamless network of services to families with young children. We are pleased to offer this new service to our patients, and we are also happy that some parts of the program – like the Baby and Me classes – will be open to the broader community.”

United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director John M. Coughlin is pleased to see the partnership progress. “I am thrilled that River Falls Area Hospital has agreed to fully implement the recommendations of our Success By 6 work team. The Success By 6 Leadership Board and I believe that this is going to provide a very real and tangible benefit for children born at the hospital,” Coughlin says.

The next phase of Success By 6 will involve convening a work team to review existing services for one to three-year-olds. The team will recommend strategies to best meet the developmental needs of children in this age group.

For more information about Success By 6, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org/success_by_6.htm, or call 715-377-0203 ext. 102.

United Way Distributes Funds to Local Nonprofit Programs

 United Way St. Croix Valley continues to make an impact in local communities throughout the valley. The United Way Board of Directors has approved the distribution of $1,073,506 in funds and goods raised through the annual fall campaign.

“We are very pleased that we exceeded the campaign goal in our first year as a merged United Way serving St. Croix and Pierce Counties. United Way St. Croix Valley is working to create real and lasting change in communities by directing funds where they make a powerful return on investment,” said Executive Director John Coughlin.

United Way has awarded approximately $795,155 to 83 nonprofit programs and services. United Way and its Citizen Review volunteers apportion the general funds to create real impact in the categories of: Basic and Emergency Needs; Children and Families; and Health and Self-Sufficiency. An additional $196,585 will go to specific agencies or other United Ways designated by donors. SUPERVALU contributes an additional $81,766 worth of goods and services that are distributed through area food pantries, community meals and senior dining sites.

Agencies meeting Basic and Emergency Needs will receive $248,000 (23%). United Way continues its leadership support for transitional housing by committing $26,400 to Somerset’s Grace Place and Faith House in New Richmond. A partnership with Two Rivers Community Land Trust will bring additional affordable housing options to the area.

Programs for Children and Families will receive the largest distribution totaling $337,945 (31.5%). The increased funding in this area went to organizations working on United Way’s Success By 6 initiative. United Way has signed agreements with two of the four area hospitals that will provide families an in-hospital visit by a trained parent educator and the opportunity to attend “Baby and Me” classes. Negotiations are underway with the other two hospitals.

Support for programs that improve Health and Self-Sufficiency will total $174,875 (16%). Agencies in Burnett and Washburn Counties will receive $34,335 entirely from funds contributed by area residents and the owner and employees of Nexen Group, Inc. in Webster. Donor designations to specific nonprofit agencies account for the remaining funds that will be distributed.

The cycle will begin again on September 17th with the kick-off of the 2007-2008 campaign. The mission of United Way St. Croix Valley is to unite communities, focus resources and inspire people to measurably improve lives in western Wisconsin.

Baldwin Area Medical Center, Family Resource Center and United Way Announce Success By 6 Partnership

Baldwin Area Medical Center, Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley and United Way St. Croix Valley have announced plans to implement a new Success By 6 (SB6) program for infants. A Parent Educator from the Family Resource Center will meet with the families of newborns during their hospital stay.

Success By 6 is an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the importance of early childhood development, increase access to services, and advocate for public policies to improve young children’s lives. United Way’s SB6 initiative is now in more than 300 communities nationwide. United Way St. Croix Valley’s Board made a commitment to strengthen early childhood development, and selected a local board to guide those efforts.

Baldwin Area Medical Center is the first area hospital to put the recommendations of the SB6 work team into practice. The healthcare and early childhood development professionals met over a period of several months in 2006 to determine what services would have the greatest impact on new families. Their unanimous recommendation was that new parents receive information about the programs and services that will best meet their family’s needs.

“We know that the quality of life for a child and the contributions the child makes later in life can be traced to the first few years of life. Our partnership with SB6 and the Baldwin Area Medical

Center will help parents provide the best start possible for their children—right from birth,” says Patty Draxler, Executive Director of the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley.

Leading research on brain development shows that early experiences have a dramatic impact on the brain. Family Resource Center’s Parent Educators use research-based curriculum to provide age appropriate information to parents, children’s first and best teachers.

The in-hospital visit by a Family Resource Center Infant Specialist complements existing programs, which include pre-natal classes, parent-child play groups, parent education classes and home visits. The hospital and Family Resource Center will track outcomes of the program to measure success.

Baldwin Area Medical Center made a two-year commitment to fund this infant/family support program. United Way St. Croix Valley will match these funds.

United Way St. Croix Valley Executive Director John M. Coughlin is pleased to see the partnership progress. “I am thrilled that the Baldwin Area Medical Center is the first local hospital that has agreed to fully implement the recommendations of our Success By 6 work team. The Success By 6 Leadership Board and I believe that this is going to provide a very real and tangible benefit for children born at the Baldwin Area Medical Center,” Coughlin says.

United Way hopes that other area hospitals will follow Baldwin’s lead in providing in-hospital visits. The next phase of SB6 will involve convening a work team to review existing services for one to three-year-olds. The team will recommend strategies to best meet the developmental needs of children in this age group.

For more information about Success By 6, visit www.unitedwaystcroix.org/success_by_6.htm, or call 715-377-0203 ext. 102.

FEMA Awards Annual Grants

Members of the Emergency Food and Shelter local board (clockwise from back to front), Annette Walker, Turningpoint, Michelle Rydberg, American red Cross, John Coughlin, United Way St. Croix Valley, Kjersti OlsonDuncan, St. Croix County Department on Aging, Jim Heebink, The Salvation Army, Julie Spence, United Way St. Croix Valley, Carolyn Manfred, WestCAP, Duana Bremer, The Salvation Army. Each year the local board of the Emergency Food and Shelter program meets to discuss emergency needs in St. Croix County and to divide up federal funding among area non-profits.

This year at a meeting in Hudson on Wednesday, Feb. 28, the board divided $20,391 among six local help agencies.

The local board distributes the funds based on "how best to meet the emergency needs of our county," said John Coughlin, Executive director United Way St. Croix Valley.

Coughlin chairs the local board which includes representatives from Red Cross, The Salvation Army, St. Croix County Department on Aging, WestCAP, Turninpoint, Catholic Charities, New Richmond ministerium, Operation HELP, and a formerly homeless individual from St. Croix county.

Funds are first appropriated by Congress to the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board based on each county's unemployment rate and poverty level.

Areas with highest unemployment and poverty levels are awarded the funds directly. Other areas, such as St. Croix County, have state set-aside committees to determine which agencies receive funding and in what amounts.

St. Croix county's local board determined this year's funding would be directed to American Red Cross, Department on "Aging, Operation HELP, The Salvation Army, Turningpoint and WestCAP.

At the meeting, each agency discusses how the previous year's funds were used and what their current needs are.

The most pressing emergency need in St. Croix County, according to WestCAP, is food. Other prominent needs are financial assistance, emergency shelter and transportation.

Each of the recipient organizations work directly with county residents to provide assistance in the form of rental assistance, food shelves, rides to and from appointments, and emergency shelter.

United Way Reaches Annual Fundraising Goal of $1,175,000

 Upon reaching our campaign goal our Board of Directors, our staff and really, most importantly the families that you've have helped:

thank you!

2006-2007 Campaign Chairs United Way St. Croix Valley has announced that donations from local residents, businesses and workplace giving campaigns are projected to total $1,175,000, achieving the 2006 campaign goal. Resources raised through the campaign will help create lasting solutions to important local issues and have a major impact on Pierce and St. Croix counties. “The merger between the two United Ways has turned out better than expected and we are delighted to be serving even more people in the St. Croix Valley,” said Brad Caskey, United Way St. Croix Valley Vice President and former United Way of River Falls President. “I am especially proud of the people of Pierce County who continue to give so generously."

The largest source of support for United Way St. Croix Valley came from Andersen Corporation in Bayport followed by Hudson-based Nuclear Management Company and Bloomington-based Donaldson Company’s Baldwin location.

SUPERVALU donated food and household products valued at $54,942 for disbursement in October to Pierce and St. Croix counties’ food pantries and other anti-poverty agencies. United Way Board President Jim Dahl, a senior manager at SUPERVALU, said, “Our company has a long history of supporting food pantries in the metro area, so we are now very pleased to be able to help Western Wisconsin residents needing food.”

In Pierce County, First National Bank of River Falls and Prescott, WESTconsin Credit Union and the River Falls School District ran particularly successful campaigns. In St. Croix County, New Richmond Clinic increased their campaign this year by 32 percent, S & C Banco increased theirs by 22 percent, and Doboy, Inc.’s campaign also grew. Resco Print Graphics in Hudson nearly doubled their 2005 campaign results.

“Workplace giving campaigns, as well as the SUPERVALU donation, are a vital requirement for us to serve area residents,” said Linda Lia, United Way’s Development and Marketing Manager. “We were pleased to see our residential donations bounce back after being down last year. Part of this may be attributed to the bulk mailing for Pierce County.”

“We thank everyone for their generosity because community needs continued to climb,” said Executive Director John Coughlin. “Together we will continue to make a lasting impact in our communities. Here in Western Wisconsin, we’re focused on critical issues like Basic and Emergency Needs, Children and Families, and Health and Self-Sufficiency.”

In addition to distributing funds to local non-profit agencies, United Way has brought public and private partners together to launch Success By 6, a community-based early childhood initiative and has spearheaded efforts to provide food and shelter to our neediest residents. United Way is also fundraising to build a Food Resource Center this year, which will bring additional much-needed food into St. Croix and Pierce counties for distribution to community food shelves.

St. Croix and Pierce counties have been awarded federal funds under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program.

United Way St. Croix Valley has just assumed responsibility for managing the Emergency Food and Shelter grant for Pierce County. St. Croix County was awarded $20,391.00 to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the area. Pierce County was awarded $10,840.