CEDAR LAKE — It was a cold and rainy night outside, but inside the Great Oaks Banquet facility it was nothing but a warm and friendly environment to give away $17,100.00 to three worthy organizations. Members of the Cedar Lake Community Fund advisory team presented checks totaling $17,100.00 to three of the four grant recipients from its newly created Cedar Lake Community Fund in partnership with the Crown Point Community Foundation.

Those receiving immediate need grants include:
Cedar Lake Ministries – $5,000 – to restore the Monon Dance Pavilion Flooring.
Cedar Lake Police Dept. – $3,600 – to purchase a Noptic Thermal Imaging Camera.
Cedar Lake Historical Assoc. – $8,500 – to build a public restroom and repair windows.
Project Love Food Pantry – $5,000 – to assist in building a new food pantry with opportunity center.

“The mission of the Cedar Lake advisory team is to improve the quality of life right here in Cedar Lake,” said Marilyn Kaper, chairman of the advisory team and co-owner of Cedar Lake Florist and Gift Shop. “Together with a few key donors, we raised $102,000 as seed money to start a $1 for $1 challenge match.” According to Kaper, gifts of any size made to the Cedar Lake Community Fund will be matched until they ‘capture’ the entire $102,000. All gifts will be divided, 50% to an endowment fund to forever support Cedar Lake projects, and 50% for immediate community needs. “During the kickoff of this campaign alone, held in August, we raised over $31,000, which was matched and provided us the opportunity to give out significant grants as early as this October,” said Kaper. “Together we can reach our goal and capture all the match money to maximize grant making in Cedar Lake!”

To donate online, visit . Or, mail your gift for the Cedar Lake Community Fund to: Crown Point Community Foundation, P.O. Box 522, Crown Point, IN 46308.