Norco grants helping those in need, bettering community

Calling it a “blessing to the members,” American Legion Post 195 Post Commander John Landry praised what the Norco Community Fund has done for helping the post help others.

Last year’s $15,500 grant from the fund helped everything from seniors playing bingo by lowering the cost of the Legion hall to aiding community groups like 4-H to host local fundraisers, Landry said.

In the years the Post has gotten the grants, the money has also helped residents in need with putting up ceiling fans and tiles, doors and upgrading bathrooms. The money even helped cover hall costs for funerals.

“It’s a service to the community,” Landry said. “Everybody knows to come to talk to me about it.”

The American Legion Post is among the nonprofits in the area getting grant money from the Norco Community Fund, which funds Norco programs in areas including the arts and humanities, community development, education, human services, and health and youth development.

There is a second fund, called the Norco Economic Development Fund, that will consider funding programs that support small business retention, job creation, career development and training, and quality of life and youth opportunities.

Lily Galland, consultant for both funds, said they are administered by the Greater New Orleans Foundation. But each fund has a committee that makes recommendations for the funding, which the foundation reviews and then awards the grants.

“What a great legacy for Norco,” Galland said of both funds. “I retired from Shell after 30 plus years and I saw Shell was always involved in the community and being a good neighbor.”

Shell spokeswoman Rochelle Touchard agreed.

“Norco is a great place to live and a great place to work,” Touchard said. “Our company is proud of its financial foundation for both funds and the annual awarding of grants. Recipients reflect a similar goal of our company – to sustain and improve Norco today and for future generations.”

Since 2001, Galland estimated more than $3 million has gone to Norco residents and community programs.

Yearly, Community Fund grants average about $45,000 to $50,000, and the economic development fund ranges from $150,000 to $180,000.

Applications are being accepted for the funds from March 1 – 23. To submit, visit the foundation’s website at www.gnof.org for guidelines and an application. Only applications submitted online will be accepted for consideration.

Galland said the funds were set up for Norco in 2001 by Shell and Motiva – $1 million established for the community fund and $5 million for economic development. The interest from these funds provides the grants.

Community grants have gone toward reviving the community’s Christmas parade, she said. Funds have also been used for math intervention at Norco Elementary School and at-risk students for after school programs.

In economic development, the money is helping revitalize Norco’s downtown at $100,000 per year and the project is in its third year. It has also helped the Norco Health Center in the past. Galland said funds have been used in helping the under employed in the area by teaming up with the St. Charles Parish Public Schools’ Adult Education Program to provide job training.