Community: Farnam Population: 227
Name of Project: Fulfilling a Community Need
Contact Person: Kent Larson, Chairperson of Carnival Funds
Day Phone: 308-569-2477
Category: Community Development
Subcategory: Parks, Recreation, and Environmental Awareness
Annual/Ongoing: No
Date Project Began: April 2010
Date Completed: May 2010
Number of Volunteers: 10
Volunteer Hours: 12
Nominated for Special Awards:No
1. Give a brief description of the project.
The need for additional tables in the community for group gatherings, family, and other events wasrecognized by the members of the community.2. Identify the planning and implementation of the project.
a) Describe methods used to plan and implement the project
The need for additional tables in the community was brought to the attention of the Farnam Economic Development Corporation. The Farnam Carnival Fund group was approached and were asked forfunds to purchase twenty folding picnic tables.
b) Describe how the project relates to the communities overall goals (including the goals identified by the community on its Intent to Enter form).
One of the goals for the community from past years included the improvement of the local park facilities. The project of securing folding picnic tables is related to the community need of providing services to benefit all in the community.
c) Describe how the project was identified as a priority for the community.
3. Describe volunteer involvement in planning and implementing the project.The annual Farnam Founders’ Days in June provides entertainment, food, and a gathering place for members of the community and their visitors. The need for additional table seating has been evidenced in the past. Additional potential uses in the community included family gatherings, meetings of local businesses where food is provided, and the Beaks, Butts, Beans Bar-be-que Cook Off location away from the main park area. The general overall availability to members of the community with a rental fee that would be affordable is an invaluable service.
a) Describe how responsibilities were delegated among volunteers.
Two persons were instructed to evaluate a folding picnic table that was being sold at an area farm store for the feasibility of use, price, and ease of setting up. Once it was decided to purchase the tables, two other volunteers picked up the tables and brought them to Farnam.
b) Describe how volunteers were recruited for the project.
4. Identify Project OutcomesTwo people volunteered to check on the tables to see if they were the type of folding table that would meet the needs of the community.
a) What did the community intend to change as a result of the project.
The anticipated change would be the availability of additional eating and seating space for public and private gatherings.
b) Describe community-wide support behind the project.
The community totally supported the project through their involvement in the annual Community Carnival that is held each spring. The monies raised here are used for projects such as this in the local community.
c) Describe how the final project impacted the community, including measurable data. (Measurable data includes both qualitative and quantitative information).
5. Describe how resources were identified and used to successfully implement the project.The impact on the community has been noted in several instances since the purchase of 20 folding picnic tables in May. The tables were used for the noon meal at the park during Founders’ Days and at the Beaks, Butts, and Beans Bar-b-cue cook off contest in the downtown business area the same day. The tables have been rented to community members for graduation parties, family celebrations, and for business related meetings in the four months since their purchase.
a) Monetary (grants, fund-raising, bonds, etc.)
$2,000.00 was provided by the Carnival Committe Community Fund for the purchase of the tables.
b) Materials and supplies (purchased and donated)
20 tables were purchased at $100.00 each. The original price was $149.00 per table, the sale price was $119.00. An agreement was struck by buying 20 tables at once for the cost of $100.00 each.
c) Labor (volunteer, in-kind, and paid services).
6. Future PlansThe labor provided by volunteers was the investigation of the table style to be purchased, the volunteers who trucked them to Farnam from Gothenburg, the volunteers who loaded and unloaded them from their place of storage to the places of need, and volunteers who returned them to storage each time of their use.
a) How will the community build upon or follow-up with this project in the future?
The community is in the process of purchasing a trailer to be used for storage of the tables and transport to the places of need. Additional tables will be purchased as time and need dictates.
b) What has the community learned from this project that can be applied to future development efforts?
7. Please describe what aspects (if any) of the project were especially unique or creative?The community feels that this project demonstrates the use of local funds, theleadership of community members, the ability to see a need within the community,and then provide for that need.
A unique aspect of the purchase of the tables is that the community has much needed seating and eating space that can be moved about easily and then stored in a small area.
 | ||||
| Tables in use for first time at the park | ||||
 | ||||
| Participants at the BBB enjoying new seating | ||||
 | ||||
| New folding picnic tables get put in to use at Farnam's Founders' Days in June 2010 | ||||
