The Parsons Area Community Foundation awarded more than $230,000 to several southeast Kansas agencies. More than forty proposals were reviewed and over 30 grants awarded to agencies within a 25 mile radius. Executive Director of Parsons Area Community Foundation, Joan Vitt, says the grants come from donations.

$12,000 was awarded to the Parsons Police Department for an ATV officer unit, $14,000 to the Curious Minds Discovery Zone for new building expansion and renovation, and $3,500 was granted to the Parsons Arboretum Foundation for phase four of a walking trail extension. Since the foundation was formed in 1996, they're awarded are up to $2 million.