Home » Nelson County nonprofits get $530,000 from state fund

Nelson County nonprofits get $530,000 from state fund

“The Stephen Foster Story” musical is presented about 60 times annually in Bardstown, Ky.

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Nelson County nonprofit organizations have been awarded $530,457 from the state’s Nonprofit Assistance Fund, which comprised $75 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds that have been prioritized by state Sen. Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, and the Kentucky General Assembly.

Award recipients include the Nelson County Schools Community Support Foundation — also known as the UP Foundation; the Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation — part of CHI Saint Joseph Health; the Stephen Foster Drama Association, Inc.; the Guthrie Opportunity Center; and On-the-GO Foods—each located in Bardstown. Additional recipients include The Kentucky Railway Museum (KRM) in New Haven and the Nelson County Salvation Army in Bloomfield.

“Every one of Kentucky’s nonprofit organizations does a fantastic job leading in the respective areas they focus on,” Higdon said. “I’m partial to the nonprofits here in Nelson County and consider it a blessing they call it their home.”

“In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, my colleagues and I understood that the government wasn’t the solution to every challenge we were facing and that in many ways, it stands in the way or even makes things worse. We felt it was important to use the one-time federal dollars that we were responsible for putting to good use and send those dollars directly to the source of solutions. That includes local communities, local leaders, and dedicated and focus-driven nonprofit organizations on the frontlines of problem-solving.

“I have a lot of faith that those at the UP Foundation, hospital, Stephen Foster Association, Guthrie Center, On-the-GO Foods, railway museum and the Salvation Army will maximize these dollars to benefit best the communities they serve.”

Nelson County Schools Community Support Foundation awarded $78,519:

The foundation supports Nelson County Schools by uniting regional resources to empower students and community members for lifelong success. Those interested in supporting the foundation can mail checks payable to the UP Foundation, NCS Community Foundation, to 288 Wildcat Lane, Bardstown, KY 40004 ATTN: Vivian Fleenor.

Follow Nelson County Schools Community Support Foundation on Facebook by clicking here.

Flaget Memorial Hospital Foundation in Bardstown awarded $100,000:

The hospital is a 52-bed facility situated in a park-like setting and offers all private rooms designed to promote a healing environment. The hospital is committed to providing the highest quality of care and is guided by its mission and core values of reverence, integrity, compassion and excellence. Flaget Memorial is nationally recognized for orthopedic care, surgical care, and inpatient satisfaction and offers many other health services. Learn more by visiting its website.

Stephen Foster Drama Association awarded $100,000:

The association produces live shows and concerts every summer at the outdoor amphitheater in Bardstown. Most notably, the company produces “The Stephen Foster Story​”, a musical drama that uses over 50 of Stephen Foster’s melodies to tell the story of My Old Kentucky Home. The show began in 1959 and has performed each summer consecutively for over 60 years. It is the official outdoor musical of Kentucky.

The amphitheater operates from mid-June through early September every summer, hosting over 60 performances of The Stephen Foster Story and other Broadway-style shows through mid-August and a full concert schedule that typically concludes the season.

The Stephen Foster Drama Association employs three full-time staff members year-round but grows by roughly 100 seasonal employees during the operating season.

Learn more by visiting stephenfoster.org and find contact information for the association HERE. Follow The Stephen Foster Story on Facebook HERE.

Kentucky Railway Museum awarded $100,000:

KRM seeks to educate the public regarding the history and heritage of Kentucky’s Railroads and the people who built them through the Acquisition, Restoration, Preservation, Display, And Operation of the rail equipment and artifacts.

The museum’s roots date back to a local National Railway Historical Society formed in 1948 by a few rail enthusiasts, according to the museum’s website. The museum was officially chartered in 1954.

Last year, $289,080 in Transportation Alternative Program Funding through the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was awarded to the City of New Haven for the Kentucky Railway Museum Kentucky Club Car Project.

Guthrie Opportunity Center awarded $100,000:

The center serves developmentally disadvantaged members of our community with a family-like environment that enables them to acquire life skills training and achieve independence through work opportunities. It partners with many other organizations in the Nelson County community including parents, local schools, the City of Bardstown, Communicare and community industries such as factories and distilleries.

Learn more by visiting guthrieopportunitycetner.org.

On-the-GO Foods awarded $50,610:

The Guthrie Opportunity Center initiated the On-the-GO Foods program to serve residents with developmental and intellectual disabilities. The program’s mission is to enhance their lives and those of the families who love them.

The program offers job training, community employment, day services, advocacy, arts and social recreation. Its goal is to assist these residents with finding new friends, realizing future career paths, seeking independence and community integration, and unleashing creative passions. According to the program’s website, it can provide these unique offerings while serving participants lunch or dinner.

Nelson County Salvation Army awarded $1,328:

According to its website, the Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach Jesus Christ’s gospel and meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

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