By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
The Price City Council Chambers were standing room only on Wednesday, Aug. 27, as charity groups from across Carbon County gathered for the regularly scheduled meeting of the council.
The cause for the increase in attendance was the annual distribution of funds to charitable organizations from the International Days Golf Tournament. Eleven separate organizations received funds from the event, with services ranging from the animal shelter to Castle Country Radio’s Gas Card program being awarded donations.
Kicking off the recipients was Utah State University Eastern, with the city donating to the university’s Advancement Scholarships. Represented by Vice President for Statewide Residential Campuses, Kristian Olsen, the administrator stated. “We work closely with the city and other folks, and we continue to try to be a great asset to the community,” said Olsen. “I think things are looking really good. For this fall and enrollment, we don’t have the numbers yet, but they are looking solid at this point in time, and so this will go a long way to helping us in the future as well.”
Second was the United Way of Eastern Utah, led by Executive Director Pam Boyd. “Live, Love, Local is our cancer assistance program that provides fuel cards for people who receive a cancer diagnosis and have to travel upstate,” explained Boyd,” And with gas prices what they are, it’s a real cost that people face that isn’t covered by anybody else.”
Castleview Hospital received a double dose of recognition for its Pillow Cases for Kids program and its Pink Ladies group.
Following the hospital was the Humane Society of Utah, which shared,” We really appreciate this. We are a 501(c) 3, so we rely on donations.”
Continuing the animal trend was the Carbon County Animal Shelter, with Mackenzie Nielson accepting the donation. “We just want to say thank you. We have mostly a new crew out there, so this will really help us out.”
Next to the podium was Dave Hocanson with Castle Country Radio’s Fuel Card program.” One of the first things that Paul (Anderson) told me when I started working at the station was that we are a community radio station. That’s why we’re here. That’s the only reason we’re here. It’s not about us, it’s about the community,” explained Hocanson. “You could probably ask anybody who works at the radio station, who’s ever been a part of it, that the pie auction is our favorite day of the year. It really is, and this will go right back into the community. Thank you all so much for this.”
Moving to city-centric programs, the Price City Emergency Utility Assistance Program received a boost. Price City treasurer Billie Heilesen accepted the donation on behalf of the charity. “I know the residents really appreciate this donation. So thank you.”
Also receiving a donation was the Price City Concert Program, which sponsors programs such as Culture Connection. “This year, I’ve tried to estimate how many people were there. Altogether, we have averaged about 300 people. We had one concert with 500 attendees and another for International Days with about 800. We keep trying to get better and better and bigger and bigger,” said Council Member Layne Miller.
Moving forward, the Southeast Utah Health Department Car Seat program stepped into the spotlight. “We love being able to help families. That’s what we do, and so this will allow us to get more kids in car seats and continue to keep them safe,” said a representative.
And rounding out the donations was Price Chapel and Pastor Steve Swinburne, who received a donation for the entrance flag that towers over the city to greet visitors and citizens alike.
In total, the city awarded $7,700 in donations to these charities, with donations ranging from $500 to $2,000.