Northern Lebanon Viking Foundation outlines scholarships, summer camps and volunteer needs

Megan Allman, president of the Northern Lebanon Viking Foundation, told the Northern Lebanon School District committee the nonprofit has given more than $250,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and is expanding student-focused programs, including free summer camps for incoming seventh- and eighth-graders.

Allman said the foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded about 30 years ago, distributes money through several programs and emphasizes student involvement. "Our biggest program ... is our senior scholarships," Allman said, adding that scholarships are "typically those are at least $1,000" and that the foundation has also provided grants to technical students and teacher grants for classroom or extracurricular projects.

The foundation funds smaller initiatives as well, Allman said: it paid for audiobooks for the elementary library, supported an after-school crochet project, and co-sponsors summer camps with the district. "District paid teacher salaries," Allman said of the camps, which are several mornings a week and are free to participating students. Recent camps included theater, STEM, tennis and various art camps, she said.

Allman outlined how the foundation engages students in its events and fundraising. Tech-ed students have engraved mugs and t-shirts for the foundation's golf tournament and 5K run; cross-country athletes help on race day. The foundation's near-term events include the Vikes and Vets 5K — its third year — and an annual Jim Northridge Memorial golf tournament in June; Allman asked community members and businesses to consider donating or volunteering. Officers named as contacts included Lauren Bruce and Wendy Reardon, and Allman said information about the 5K is posted on the school's website.

The foundation is also recruiting new board members. "We are currently accepting new board members," Allman said, inviting interested people to contact her or district staff for more information.

Megan Allman completed her presentation without questions from the committee. The foundation's programs and events were noted for their student-engagement components and for offering scholarship and grant support to students who attend Northern Lebanon schools.

Less critical details: Allman said the foundation has supplied scholarships and grants to both college-bound and technical students; she noted a long history of student involvement in foundation events and urged the district community to consider donating or volunteering.