On the Street

POSTCARDS

Just in time for Christmas gift-giving, the Postcards From Our Past 2003 Weekly Planner is available from the Springfield-Greene County Library. The planner features 54 vintage picture postcards that depict early Springfield and the surrounding area. The historic postcards, from the library's archives, portray the town's growth. The planners are available at any of the eight Springfield-Greene County Library branches for $12 each, with proceeds benefiting the branches.

$2 MILLION MARK

For the first time in its history, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks this year surpassed the $2 million mark in grants and distributions. The organization made several grants this year, including a grant to help fund a parenting program as part of Drug Court, a major contribution to the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile "Tooth Truck," and continued support for the Weaver Orthodontics Fund, which provides braces for at-risk children whose parents cannot afford them. Also, anti-violence training was funded via a Girl Scout program.

According to Community Foundation of the Ozarks, these grants were possible because the foundation's endowments escaped the worst effects of the stock market plunge of the past year, largely due to asset allocation and guidance from the foundation's Investment Advisory Board. However, the organization notes that it did not come through unscathed, and the Sustaining Membership program, which supplements operational needs, is still crucial.

SLICE OF NICE

Along with its corporate parent company Medicacom, OnMedia Cable Television Advertising joined Shoes That Fit, a national not-for-profit organization that provides new shoes for elementary school children during the fall months of the school year. OnMedia's goal was to collect 300 pairs of shoes for children in Springfield Public Schools. However, as of Dec. 9, the company had collected 449 pairs.