By Lee Weber Koch Chase International Foundation recently awarded $12,500 to Northern Nevada and California non-profit agencies as part of their ‘Four Pillars of Giving’ grant program. The bi-annual grant recipients include the Ian Casey Foundation, Reno Judo Club, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, For Kids Foundation, Rescued Hearts Ranch, Sierra Kids Foundation, Sierra Lutheran High School and Supporting Our Survivors. The money was raised during Chase International Foundation’s “Charitable Cheers — A Night at the Museum” gala. Over 100 people attended the fundraiser at the Nevada State Museum in Carson City, Nevada, where a silent auction, live music, gourmet food and wine, and character actors collectively made it an ideal evening to support those in the community who need it most. John and Ronda Montgomery, Trinkie Watson, Greg and Lori McIntosh, Linda Wanamaker and Clyde’s Coffee Roasting Company were key sponsors who helped raise over $20,000. “Through our Foundation’s Four Pillars of Giving program, we raise funds to support our community’s basic human needs for shelter, food, safety, and wellbeing, said Shari Chase, President of the Foundation. “With support from donations to and through our Foundation, we come together to make a positive difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.” Sierra Lutheran High School will use its $500 grant to help fund the SLHS Boys’ Basketball Program, which is required to fundraise to operate competitively. Lisa Ballard sponsored this grant request to support this essential sports program which develops excellence in character and athleticism and prepares boys’ minds and bodies for success today and in the future as adult members of their community. The Christian-based high school offers a comprehensive curriculum and a wide variety of extra-curricular activities that are mutually focused on preparing students academically, socially and spiritually for their lives. Rescued Hearts Ranch will fund scholarships with the $2,000 grant they received from the Chase International Foundation. This grant was sponsored by Jessi Bartlett, who was instrumental in submitting it to support a five-week course that emphasizes comprehending and applying empathy in everyday experiences, fostering self-respect, and respecting others. Founded in 2021, the Ranch empowers youth in Douglas County through hands-on experiences with community care-farming, which promotes mental and physical health by combining the care of animals and the natural world with the care of people. The Ian Casey Foundation received $2,000 and was sponsored by Kristina Mattson. The Foundation is committed to helping youth in need around the Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas. From existing need-based programs to scholarship funds and local athletics, its mission is to positively impact youth. The grant helped fund the 6th Annual Ian Casey Golf Classic & Dinner on August 3, 2024, which brought together supporters, sponsors, friends and family for a day of celebration and fundraising. For Kids Foundation will use its $2,000 grant to fund its “High Five For Northern Nevada Children” event. Brittany Wescott sponsored this request as part of Chase International’s Wellbeing Pillar. For Kids Foundation is a safety net for children who fall through the cracks. They provide funding for the unmet needs of Northern Nevada children from birth to age 21 when no other resource is available. The program aims to provide gap funding for urgently needed medical, dental, psychological, well-being, and educational products and services, allowing at-risk children the opportunity to thrive. Food Bank of Northern Nevada received $1,000 and was sponsored by Michelle Sturge. What began in 1983 as a small food pantry powered by passionate volunteers has grown into northern Nevada’s leading hunger relief organization. Today, the Food Bank provides food for families in need through more than 155 partner agencies across northern Nevada and the eastern slope of the Sierra in California. The Chase Foundation Grant will purchase a significant amount of canned tuna for the Food Bank’s 14th Annual Run on Tuna Drive in September. Reno Judo Club was awarded a grant of $1,000 and was sponsored by Ilene Manville. The Reno Judo Club has a strong moral culture that can enrich children’s lives by developing confidence, respect, humility, and discipline. The monies will support the development and expansion of their program and directly fund scholarships for children who cannot afford the training programs. By expanding their program into more schools and clubs, they can get more children involved in the sport and provide them with a safe and healthy activity. Sierra Kids Foundation was awarded a $2,000 grant that Cindy Ranne sponsored as part of the Chase International Foundation’s Wellbeing Pillar. Sierra Kids Foundation provides support and access to care for underprivileged children between the ages of 0-17 with developmental disabilities, most commonly autism spectrum disorder, which will enable social and educational success in the future, regardless of the family’s income or lack of insurance coverage. The grant will provide financial assistance to eligible families to help pay for all or a portion of the cost of an Applied Behavior Analysis therapy program. Supporting Our Survivors (SOS) will apply their $2,000 grant to help provide essential resources, such as shelter, counseling, and legal assistance, to those who need it most. Trevor Phillips sponsored this grant as it reflects the Foundation’s Safety Pillar. SOS’s mission is to assist law enforcement in the rescue of victims of human trafficking and to allocate funds for services and programs that benefit survivors. They believe that every person deserves to live free from abuse, exploitation, and slavery, and they are committed to making that a reality.