Group seeks grant to provide free field trips for Vernon County students

The Trust Fall is one of the elements at the challenge course. The course takes 3-4 hours to complete and teaches teamwork, communication, leadership, and trust. --submitted photo

Living Waters Ranch of Osceola is competing for a $25,000 grant from Pepsi Refresh project that would pay for more than 3,000 students from schools in St. Clair, Bates, Benton, Cedar, Henry, Hickory, Polk, and Vernon Counties, to attend the Tearing Down the Strongholds Challenge Course for free. The winners of the grants will be determined by the number of votes they receive. The top 10 organizations in each amount category will be awarded the grants. Currently, LWR is in 26th place, having fallen from the 13th place slot that they kept for the first two weeks of February. But, if they can stay in the top 100 overall, they will automatically be allowed to compete again in March!

Local residents can vote for freel. The easiest way to vote the first time is through LWR's Website, www.livingwatersfoundation.org

The VOTE NOW button will take you directly to the Pepsi Refresh page where you will click on VOTE FOR THIS IDEA. At that time a window appears that asks the user to enter through Facebook Connection, or to register an e-mail address. Once an e-mail address is registered, the user can vote by just signing in with the e-mail address and a password. Voters are encouraged to vote every day through Feb. 28. Schools in the eight counties have been notified of this opportunity.

Living Waters Foundation is dedicated to enriching the lives of the children and families in our rural area. Our next event coming up is Prom-A-Palooza on March 27. Girls who are juniors or seniors in High School are invited to come to Osceola for a special day and will be given a prom dress, new jewelry, hair care products, make up, nail care, and a wonderful lunch with their mom or grandma, all at no cost to them. If you would like more information about Prom-A-Palooza, information and pre-registration forms can be found on the Web site listed above, or send an e-mail to livingwatersranch@gmail.com or call Joyce Brown, (417) 646-2694.

The organization is currently accepting donated dresses, shoes, jewelry, and monetary donations to help cover the cost of the meal and gift certificates.