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Washington Evening Journal
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Washington, IA 52353
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Fairfield Elks donate $3,000 to Fairfield Area Soccer Association
FAIRFIELD – The Fairfield Area Soccer Association has received a $3,000 check from Fairfield Elks.
The money comes from the Elks National Foundation, and was distributed as part of the group’s Community Investment Project Grants. FASA President Noah Siemsen thanked the Elks for their donation, and said the money will go toward repairing the concession and storage building at the Dexter Soccer Fields on West Grimes Avenue.
Doug Bagby, past exalted ruler of Fairfield Elks who is also the Elks National Foundation chairperson, said this is the first donation the Fairfield Elks has made to the Fairfield Area Soccer Association. In addition to its annual projects such as planting trees in a city park and sponsoring “Shop with a Hero,” the Elks organization tries to find community projects or groups that are in need of funding.
“There are so many needs in the community that we can’t do them all, but we try to find the most prominent need at the time,” Bagby said.
Bagby said Elks members are always putting out feelers to see which groups need money, and then looking into whether one of its grant programs could cover that particular project. Siemsen said his organization has also been looking for grants in recent years to upgrade its facilities, and that’s when Terri Kness connected the soccer association to the Fairfield Elks and its grant programs.
Siemsen said the $3,000 check will go toward replacing the roof of the concession and storage building, as well as repairing door jams, replacing doors and upgrading the restroom.
FASA was started by Roeland Hekker, who ran the club for many years until about six years ago. Siemsen has been the president for a year and a half, and said the club’s membership has grown in recent years. The club has a spring league and a fall league, and this past year saw about 145 kids participate in each league. Siemsen mentioned those numbers during a recent chat with Hekker, who said that’s probably the most participation the club has ever had.
FASA’s teams travel to neighboring towns for games in places such as Ottumwa, Oskaloosa, Washington and Mt. Pleasant.
Those interested in learning more about Fairfield Area Soccer Association can visit its website at www.fairfield.iowa.soccer, or send an email to Siemsen at noah+fasa@siemsenconsulting.com.
Call Andy Hallman at 641-575-0135 or email him at andy.hallman@southeastiowaunion.com
