by
Whitney Benefiel
| Sep 05, 2025
Recipients accept awards from the recently created foundation
On September 02, 2025, The Orell Farley Foundation awarded grants to eleven organizations from Jasper County, Illinois. During the awards presentation, held at The Peoples State Bank located in Newton, Illinois, a total of $32,350.23 was given to the various organizations chosen to receive funding for their projects. Grant recipients were as follows:
Grantee | Award | Purpose |
| Jasper County Boys & Girls Park, Inc. | $4,000 | To aid in the repair of roofs on player dugouts, spectator bleachers, and the west restroom. |
| JCCU#1, Choral & Theater Department | $6,475 | To be used to purchase five (5) new Shure wireless microphone systems. |
| JCCU#1, NCHS –Music Boosters | $6,658 | To aid in the purchase of two Yamaha tenor saxophones. |
| JCCU#1, Newton Elementary/Courtney Klier, 6th grade Language Arts | $980.87 | To purchase three (3) novels for students and to expand the classroom library. |
| St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic School | $9,537.36 | To purchase Asus Chromebooks for 5th-8th grade students. |
| Jasper County CEO | $1,200 | To aid in the expenses for the 2025-26 school year including a year-end event for students. |
| Jasper County Ambulance Service | $1,000 | To be used for the purchase of a 75” TV and needed supplies for training. |
| Saved by Grace Animal Rescue | $500 | To aid in the 2025 Spay and Neuter Community Project. |
| JCCU#1, Newton Elementary/Jessica Guzman, Principal | $500 | To purchase t-shirts, supplies, snacks, and a year-end celebration for the 2025-26 school year for the 6th grade Leadership Team. |
| JCCU #1, Newton Elementary | $500 | To purchase supplies for games and snacks for behavior and reading reward celebrations. |
JCCU#1, Newton Elementary/Dawn Meinhart, Strong Girls and B.O.Y.S. Coordinator. | $999 | To aid in the purchase of t-shirts and lesson materials for all participants. |
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The Orell Farley Foundation, initially funded in 2018, benefits qualified organizations in Jasper County, Illinois that sponsor projects and activities that enhance the public health, safety, recreation and education for the use and enjoyment of the general public within the county. To be considered, an organization must be either a tax-supported governmental unit or entity, or must be a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3) and must be located in Jasper County. Thanks to Mrs. Farley’s generosity, the residents of Jasper County will greatly benefit.
Grant applications for the annual awards of The Orell Farley Foundation may be obtained from the Trust Department of The Peoples State Bank located at 100 West Washington Street in Newton, Illinois. The deadline for submission of applications is July 31 each year. An advisory board reviews the applications and determines the awards given each year.