One thing we can count on is that life is unpredictable. Sometimes, we grab an old coat from the closet and find $20 and sometimes we find moths have eaten that coat. The pleasant surprises are always easier to accept and address, but it feels like the negative ones come more often and at the worst time. This year, CHS got a great surprise. As finalists for the Wishart Award for excellence in nonprofit management, we won a $5,000 award from the Forbes Funds — and we want to share that happy surprise with all of our friends and neighbors.

We are proud to announce the opening of the Community Cares Fund. The fund will provide small grant amounts to individuals and families who find themselves in a challenging situation and need a little help from their neighbor. For example, you were driving to work and your tire blew out. Payday isn’t for two weeks and without the $85 tire, you can’t get to work. Grants will be available from $20-$200. To apply, just send a brief description of the need and the amount requested to Adrienne Walnoha (awalnoha@chscorp.org).Our committee will review the request and be back in touch within 24 hours. We really hope that the Community Cares Fund will be there for you when you need it and we are so thankful to be able to make this possible.

Finally, we will need your help to keep this resource going even after our first $5000 is gone. To donate, please contribute online or send a check or money order to CHS with Community Cares Fund in the memo line. Thank you for your help in making this resource possible for our community!

– See more at: http://www.chscorp.org/node/82#sthash.RHWER5L6.dpuf