(Le Mars) — Santa Claus delivered a special gift to Gehlen Catholic School Friday evening between the girls and boys basketball games. With the help of his elf Michael Crank, a local State Farm Insurance agent, and several community leaders to witness the event, Gehlen school officials unwrapped a check for the amount of $25,000. Lisa Niebuhr, Development Director for Gehlen Catholic school says Gehlan finished among the top 50 schools nationwide in the “Celebrate My Drive” campaign in order to qualify for the grant.
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This marks the second year Gehlen has qualified for the grant, and Niebuhr says the award was perhaps more special the second time.
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Niebhur says the school won’t know until Monday as to how many votes Gehlen received, or the exact placing. Ten percent of the $25,000 grant is to be shared with Floyd Valley Hospital. Father Kevin Richter, president of Gehlen Catholic School explains why the school selected Floyd Valley Hospital.
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Richter indicated he is not certain how the grant will be utilized. He says Gehlen has a list of possible projects, and a committee will be appointed to help determine how the grant will best be utilized.
