MASON — The Mason County Community Foundation recently held its fifth annual benefit dinner.

The event was held on Thursday, Nov. 12 at the Riverside Golf Club in Mason. According to Suzanne Dickens, board chair, the foundation has accomplished a lot over the past five years.

Dickens said that the foundation has created 15 new permanent community grant and scholarship funds, which will give back to the community each year. In addition, the foundation has issued more than $32,000 in community grants, provided $12,500 in scholarship funds to 15 deserving students and established a Mason County Fund for Youth that will now provide annual support for youth needs within the community.

This year two new funds have been added to the foundation, including the Mason County Youth Soccer League Support Fund, which was created by a donor who has seen the growth of the sport in the area as well as the impact it has had on many children.

Jane Winters, foundation manager, opened the event by describing the importance of the foundation in relation to the community.

“Most of the folks here this evening are your neighbors, co-workers, family and friends. We have worked together to sponsor grant programs, create community funds, receive grant assistance for community projects and work to build funds for Mason County — that is what a community foundation is, a collection of permanent community funds created by people of a local area to address local community needs,” she said. “Although our community foundation is just five years old, it is amazing to me to see how it has grown during this short time and even more encouraging to understand that as these funds grow they will give back so much more to the community to meet future needs.”

According to Winters, $93,000 has been generated for the Mason County Youth Fund. During the benefit, the 2009 donors who have given $1,000 or more were recognized: Mid-Atlantic Construction-Bob McMillan, Peoples Bank, Pleasant Valley Hospital, Mason County Commission and Bob’s Market and Greenhouses. AEP River Operations and their Charleston headquarters also were recognized.

The 2009 Fall Community Action and Youth Grants were announced. The Mason County Fair received the Community Action Grant award, which is a $2,500 grant that will go toward restoring a 70 year-old horse barn that is utilized by hundreds of 4-H members through the Mason County Fair and many horse shows throughout the year.

Winning the 2009 Fund for Youth grant award was Hannan High School. The grant, which also is $2,500, will help build a outdoor youth recreational area to be utilized by the school’s students during the school year and the youth of southern Mason County in the evenings and summer months. Wayne Richardson, basketball coach, is heading the project with the goal to promote and encourage physical activity for area youth.

Following grant awards, Mike Bartrum, former NFL player, delivered the guest speech. Closing the evening was an auction of items, with proceeds going toward the foundation.