For nearly 30 years, the Community Foundation for Delta County held an annual fundraiser first known as MASH and later as “The Legacy.” Last year, we shifted the event from a fundraiser to an appreciation dinner to thank our sponsorship supporters, legacy backers and in-kind donors for their continued support. We are grateful for our community sponsorship supporters and legacy backers; without them, we could not operate our four internal programs. Every sponsorship dollar goes directly toward funding those programs.
Our four programs have become vital to the community, and we work to strengthen them each year. The Feed-the-Kids Backpack Program helps ensure students in need across Delta County have food when they are not in school. It has also grown to support school food pantries and other food-related programs.
Our Veterans Program supports veterans and their families in several ways throughout the year. Our annual Veterans Easter Food Basket serves more than 160 veteran families. We have also provided gift cards for Veterans Day in November and financial support to the Seventh-day Adventist Food Pantry for its Christmas Veterans Food Basket Program.
The AED, or automated external defibrillator, program expanded a few years ago to include LifeVac, a choking rescue device, making it a true “Save a Life” program. AEDs placed throughout the community have been credited with many saves, and the first LifeVac we distributed was used shortly afterward by the Delta County Sherrif’s Department to help rescue someone who was choking.
Our Human Needs program is our most flexible initiative, allowing us to respond to community needs as funding permits. The program provides small grants and, at times, larger grants are awarded. In 2020, we contributed $50,000 to Beacon House as it built its new facility, recognizing that about 40% of its clients come from Delta County. A few years later, we awarded $50,000 to OSF for the OSF Daniel J. Kobasic Cancer Clinic, helping local cancer patients receive treatment closer to home.
At our appreciation dinner on Thursday, September 17, 2026, the Board and Staff of the Community Foundation for Delta County were pleased to help present two new grants of $50,000 each. One grant was awarded to the Northern Lights YMCA – Delta Center for its Capital Campaign for their Aquatic Center, and the other to the OSF HealthCare Foundation for its Radiation Therapy Campaign.
Because of the impact made possible through Legacy sponsorship supporters and legacy backers, we transformed the event into a true celebration of appreciation. With the continued support of our sponsors, legacy backers and community partners, we are able to help where help is needed most.
Once again, the Community Foundation for Delta County Board of Trustees and Staff cannot express our gratitude to you our sponsorship supporters and legacy backers, for your thoughtful collaboration in helping support our mission and programs and in making a difference in the lives of Delta County residents. “THANK YOU!”