The Kenai City Council gave initial approval last week to more than $11,000 in grants and donations made to the Kenai Animal Shelter and to the Kenai Senior Center.
The Kenai Animal Shelter received about $6,600 across multiple donations, including $2,217.60 in unsolicited donations and $4,375 through a grant.
Per legislation that would accept the money, the Kenai Animal Shelter applied for funds through a “Return to Home Challenge” offered by Maddie’s Fund, a 501(c)3 organization that supports animal welfare. That program incentivizes reconnecting lost pets with their owners.
If approved by Kenai City Council members, $2,500 of the grant would be used for transportation, $1,285 would be used for tools and $590 would be used for operating supplies.
The grant is in addition to roughly $2,200 worth of unsolicited donations from 11 individuals, including the Kenaitze Indian Tribe and Allison Anderson c/o Credit Union 1. Per a March 6 memo from Kenai Police Chief David Ross to the council, those funds will be used to purchase a washer and dryer to help clean things like blankets and towels at the shelter.
Of the $2,200 donated, $1,000 came from the Kenai Indian Tribe. Executive Director of Tribal Administration Peter Evon wrote in a letter accompanying the donation that the tribe supports the services and efforts of the shelter.
“The health and wellbeing of our community and cooperation for supporting its needs is important to the Tribe as we deliver a variety of programs and services that promote the wellness of our people and the region,” Evon wrote in the letter. “We wish you much success in your continued work for our shared community.”
Per a March 3 memo from Kenai Animal Control Chief Jessica “JJ” Hendrickson, the Kenai Animal Shelter has taken in 76 animals so far this year.
Also up for approval by council members at their next meeting is a $5,000 donation made to the Kenai Senior Center from Ray and Yen-ti Verg-In. Senior Center Director Kathy Romain wrote in a March 7 memo to council members that the Verg-Ins are frequent patrons of the senior center and have previously made donations to the center.
The Verg-Ins have requested that, of the $5,000, $2,000 be put toward the center’s congregate meal program, $1,000 be put toward the center’s home-delivered meal program, $1,000 be put toward transportation services and $1,000 be put toward senior activities.
Kenai Senior Center Administrative Assistant Astrea “Red” Piersee wrote in a March 4 memo to council members that, so far this year, the center has provided more than 1,700 home-delivered meals to more than 90 people and more than 850 dining room meals to nearly 150 people.
Acceptance of all donations and funds is subject to approval by Kenai City Council members. The Kenai City Council’s April 5 meeting will be streamed on the City of Kenai’s YouTube channel.
Reach reporter Ashlyn O’Hara at ashlyn.ohara@peninsulaclarion.com.
