PMT Foundation Awards $10,000 to Local Students

The PMT Foundation received some outstanding scholarship applications this year and while in years past, awarded four students with scholarships, decided to award five scholarships this year. Rachel Sherbeck of Burley High School, Kaylee Whiteley of Oakley High School, Marissa Stocking, Rhayman Feiburger, and Cash Cofer of Minico High School will all be receiving a $2,000 scholarship to help with their continued education. They were chosen because they all showed outstanding academic performance, exemplary community and extra-curricular involvement, and dedication to their future education.

Marianne Welch, president of the PMT Foundation committee, says, “Once again the scholarship committee had a hard time narrowing down the field of exceptional applications received from high school seniors from across the Magic Valley and Mini-Cassia areas for 2022.  On behalf of the PMT Foundation Board, I want to congratulate the outstanding students receiving this year’s scholarship awards. You all should be very proud of your accomplishments, and we wish you all the best in the adventures and challenges ahead of you.”

Cash Cofer of Minico High School is a hardworking student who will finish high school not only with a high school diploma, but also his associates degree from CSI. He’s been involved in football and tennis and received varsity letters from both. He enjoys many activities outdoors, cars, movies, art, and building things. He also is very involved in his church and plans to go on a mission trip this July to help families in Northern Idaho. After graduating, Cash plans to attend CSI’s workforce program to become a plumber. He says, “Plumbing is a job that will never go away.”

Kaylee Whiteley of Oakley High School will finish top of her class and walk away with college credits as well. She will continue her education at CSI and hopes to pursue a degree in Agribusiness. Kaylee likes working with graphic design, photography projects, and growing plants. She is currently employed at Nature Nursery and Market and would like to get into a plant nursery management job after getting her degree. Kaylee is also very involved in her church and serves in many capacities. She is a member of the Yearbook Club, National Honors Society, and is a math and science tutor. 

Rachel Sherbeck of Burley High School has done excellent during her high school career and will graduate with her associate degree from CSI. Rachel likes exploring the world around her, shooting, and dancing. She is a part of the Burley High School Dance Team and a member of Dance Force Dance Studio. She’s also been involved in the 4-H programs as well as FFA. She plans on attending Utah Valley University in the fall and to pursue a major in forensic science. She says, “I would like to pursue a career in crime scene investigation or homicide investigation. I want to be able to bring closure to families that have lost loved ones and just help people in general.”

Rhayman Feiburger of Minico High School has been honored in many ways for his academic accomplishments. He will be graduating with his associates degree and plans to attend the University of Idaho in the Fall to pursue a degree in finance and later, a law degree. Rhayman has been involved in a variety of volunteer projects, track and field, golf, carpentry, and IDFY (Idaho Drug Free Youth). His family has all attended U of I and he wants to continue in their legacy of making great memories there. He’s always been good with numbers and loves doing math but also wants to make changes for his community by becoming a politician. 

Marissa Stocking of Minico High School has worked very hard during high school to be ranked in the top 15 of her class and walk away with an associate degree. Volleyball has been a huge part of Marissa’s life and she has played for her high school team along with many other community teams and even helped coach several teams. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking through the mountains or paddle boarding down the river. Marissa plans to continue her education at CSI and enroll in their Registered Nursing program. She says, “I want to make an impact on the world and as a nurse, I will be able to make the positive impact that I desire.” 

In its 16th year of existence, the PMT Foundation’s creation was authorized by the PMT Board of Directors as a charitable foundation to support worthy community projects and educational scholarships. The PMT Foundation furthers education in communities served by PMT through its scholarship program and supports projects and programs that sustain and improve those communities through community grants. The 2022 PMT Foundation board members are Marianne Welch, Chairman; Jim Evans, Vice-Chairman; Rick Harder, Secretary; LaLanne Delis, Alan Johnson, Patty Temple, Jennie Schow, and Diana Warburton.

2021 PMT Grant Recipients

The PMT Foundation awarded over $20,000 to organizations in the Magic Valley, each seeking to help sustain and improve our community.

“Every year at this time, I’m reminded of how blessed we are to live in a community with so many nonprofit organizations that serve so many. We want to congratulate our 2021 grant recipients and want to thank them for their efforts to positively impact the communities they serve in our beautiful Magic Valley,” states Marianne Welch, PMT Foundation Chairman.

As a customer-owned cooperative, Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) pays patronage dividends back to customers every year based on services used. When those monies go unclaimed for a number of years, they’re transferred over to the PMT Foundation, which focuses on furthering education through a scholarship program and supporting community projects through grant awards. 

The 2021 grant recipients are:

  • American Legion Post 17 – $2,400 – To repair the steps and landing into the Post’s entryway of their building.
  • Cassia County Historical Society and Museum – $3,674– To help with the repair and restoration of the front of the main building, general store, and the one-room schoolhouse.
  • The Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley – $3,700 – to go toward increasing their “Rigamajig” exhibit capacity.  The “Rigamajig” are simple wooden boards and plastic bolts that participants can turn into working machines. The Children’s Museum of the Magic Valley travels throughout the valley with this exhibit and more on the On the Go truck, their mobile outreach program.
  • Jerome Senior Center – $3,400 – to repaint the interior of the Senior Center. The Senior Center walls see a lot of wear and tear from daily use, and after 12 years, need to be repainted to continue to be a welcoming environment for seniors and a resource for the community.
  • St. Nicholas Catholic School – $7,000 – After experiencing rapid enrollment growth, St. Nicholas has expanded their facilities into an adjacent building. The funds will be used to upgrade the wiring, cabling, and phone system between the two buildings to ensure students can continue to receive quality instruction with technology integration and enable seamless communication between the two buildings. 

PMT Grant Applications are awarded once a year and will become available again in the summer of 2022.

2020 Grant Recipients

The PMT Foundation awarded $14,800 to organizations in the Magic Valley, each seeking to help sustain and improve our community.

“Although 2020 has been an extremely unusual year in most ways, one thing remains consistent, the Magic Valley is blessed with countless non-profit organizations that serve so many.  We are pleased to announce our 2020 grant recipients and want to thank them for their efforts to positively impact the communities they serve in our beautiful Magic Valley.”
states Marianne Welch, PMT Foundation Chairman.

As a customer-owned cooperative, Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) pays patronage dividends back to customers every year based on services used. When those monies go unclaimed for a number of years, they are transferred over to the PMT Foundation, which focuses on furthering education through a scholarship program and supporting community projects through grant awards.

The 2020 recipients were:

  • Golden Heritage Senior Center – $1,000 – To purchase food trays for the Meals on Wheels program. The Senior Center delivers around 56 meals daily to homebound seniors.
  • Jerome Senior Center – $1,800 – For a new refrigerator for the Center’s Community Room.
  • Mini-Cassia Search and Rescue – $2,500 – To purchase and update 20+ year old extrication equipment.
  • Mountain View Christian Center Pantry – $5,000 – To replace a commercial freezer that is no longer working. The Pantry relies on this freezer to store food so they can distribute it to those in need.
  • The Magic Valley Area Humanitarian Center – $2,000 – To install Handicap Automatic Door Openers.
  • Wilson Theatre – Wilson Theatre – $2,500 – To purchase a 20×40 tent to use at larger events, conferences, weddings, and parties held at the restored Theatre.

 

PMT Grant Applications are awarded once a year and will become available again in the summer of 2021.

 

About PMT Foundation

The PMT Foundation was created in 2006 by the PMT Board of Directors as a charitable foundation. The Foundation helps further education in communities served by PMT through its scholarship program.  It also supports projects and programs that sustain and improve those communities.

 

 

About PMT 

Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) is a full-service communications company providing local telephone and its associated features, including long distance and voicemail, cell phone service, cable TV, IPTV, high-speed internet, directory publishing and computer networking and repair for home and office.  Headquartered in Rupert, Idaho, PMT has been serving the Magic Valley since 1916.  PMT serves 8,000 member customers and has offices in Rupert, Burley and Twin Falls, ID.

 

Past Year’s Recipients

2019 Recipients
2018 Recipients
2017 Recipients

2019 Grant Recipients

The PMT Foundation awarded over $15,000 to organizations in the Magic Valley, each seeking to help sustain and improve our community.

“Once again we received grant applications from many worthwhile and deserving organizations from all across the area served by PMT,” states Marianne Welch, PMT Foundation Chairman. “We are pleased to announce our 2019 grant recipients and wish them continued success in their efforts to positively impact many in the communities they serve in the Magic Valley.”

As a customer-owned cooperative, Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) pays patronage dividends back to customers every year based on services used. When those monies go unclaimed for a number of years, they are transferred over to the PMT Foundation, which focuses on furthering education through a scholarship program and supporting community projects through grant awards.

The 2019 recipients were:

  • Oakely Valley Senior Citizens – $4,000 – To purchase tables and chairs for the Heritage Center, as the number of seniors using the center continues to rise.
  • Mini-Cassia Shelter – $3,500 – To replace aged appliances in the safe house
  • Friends of the DeMary Library – $2,534 – To install a set of Handicap Automatic Door Openers on the west side of the Library.
  • Mini-Cassia Search and Rescue – $2,500 – To purchase thermal imagers to help aid in search and rescue missions. The thermal imagers are useful in that they can expedite searches as they work in the dark, and in inclement weather.
  • Wilson Theatre – $2,500 – To purchase a scrim screen to project scenery on the stage for plays, concerts and productions.

 

PMT Grant Applications are awarded once a year and will become available again in the summer of 2020.

 

About PMT Foundation

The PMT Foundation was created in 2006 by the PMT Board of Directors as a charitable foundation. The Foundation helps further education in communities served by PMT through its scholarship program.  It also supports projects and programs that sustain and improve those communities.

 

 

About PMT 

Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) is a full-service communications company providing local telephone and its associated features, including long distance and voicemail, cell phone service, cable TV, IPTV, high-speed internet, directory publishing and computer networking and repair for home and office.  Headquartered in Rupert, Idaho, PMT has been serving the Magic Valley since 1916.  PMT serves 8,000 member customers and has offices in Rupert, Burley and Twin Falls, ID.

2018 Grant Recipients

The PMT Foundation awarded over $15,000 to organizations in the Magic Valley, each seeking to help sustain and improve our community.

“We continue to enjoy the privilege of awarding grants to well-deserving organizations in our area. This year is no exception,” states Marianne Welch, PMT Foundation Chairman. “Our 2018 grant recipients will use these funds to further their missions to impact many in the communities they serve in the Magic Valley. The PMT Foundation Board appreciates the efforts of all grant applicants and is delighted to provide money to this year’s awardees.”

As a customer-owned cooperative, Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) pays patronage dividends back to customers every year based on services used. When those monies go unclaimed for a number of years, they are transferred over to the PMT Foundation, which focuses on furthering education through a scholarship program and supporting community projects through grant awards.

2018 Recipients:

Family Health Services – $4,760 –to upgrade medical equipment in the Burley and Rupert clinics

Gooding Public Library – $2,500 – for the purchase of new computers for the library computer lab..

Living Independence Network Corporation – $2,500 – for the purchase of portable ramps to be loaned to people who need temporary access to their homes.

Renaissance Art Center (Wilson Theatre) – $2,400 – to purchase new replica seats for The Historic Wilson Theatre.

St. Nicholas Catholic School – $2,000 – to upgrade the Wi-Fi coverage on the school campus and purchase iPads for students to access a variety of educational tools and applications to enhance their learning experience.

Magic Valley Arts Council – $1,185 – to replace audio mixer/dimmer and projector in the Sligar Auditorium.

PMT Grant Applications are awarded once a year and will become available again in the summer of 2019.

 

About PMT Foundation

The PMT Foundation was created in 2006 by the PMT Board of Directors as a charitable foundation. The Foundation helps further education in communities served by PMT through its scholarship program.  It also supports projects and programs that sustain and improve those communities

 

About PMT 

Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) is a full-service communications company providing local telephone and its associated features, including long distance and voicemail, cell phone service, cable TV, IPTV, high-speed internet, directory publishing and computer networking and repair for home and office.  Headquartered in Rupert, Idaho, PMT has been serving the Magic Valley since 1916.  PMT serves 8,000 member customers and has offices in Rupert, Burley and Twin Falls, ID.

2017 Grant Recipients

The PMT Foundation awarded over $14,000 to organizations in the Magic Valley, each seeking to help sustain and improve our community.

“It’s our privilege to award grants to local organizations,” states Alan Johnson, PMT Foundation Chairman.  “This year we saw a great need for physical improvements to pillar institutions in our community so they can continue to serve their patrons and citizens across the Valley. The PMT Foundation is happy to contribute money to these organizations to further their good works in the Magic Valley.”

As a customer-owned cooperative, Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) pays patronage dividends back to customers every year based on services used.  When those monies go unclaimed for a number of years, they are transferred over to the PMT Foundation, which focuses on furthering education through a scholarship program and supporting community projects through grant awards.  PMT Grant Applications are awarded once a year and will become available again in the summer of 2018.

Recipients:

Oakley Valley Arts Council – $3625 – to repair interior wall and ceiling damage on the historic Howell’s Opera House.

Mini-Cassia Shelter – $2645 – to replace original flooring in the shelter where victims of domestic violence can stay and receive assistance to keep them safe.

Minidoka County Senior Center – $4000 for the purchase of a new fire system to keep the kitchen that prepares the Meals on Wheels program in compliance and operational.

Walker Center for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse – $3500 – to make physical improvements and increase the effectiveness of their Ropes Challenge Course that clients and their families use as part of their recovery. Improvements include installing drinking fountains, irrigation lines, shelter and shade

Minidoka Soil & Water Conservation District – $300 – to make and distribute pollinator seed packets to be given away to area citizens. The goal of the packets is to help residents see the benefit of good insects and help pollinators which are in decline nationwide, by providing a habitat and value to their usefulness.

 

About PMT Foundation

The PMT Foundation was created in 2006 by the PMT Board of Directors as a charitable foundation. The Foundation helps further education in communities served by PMT through its scholarship program.  It also supports projects and programs that sustain and improve those communities

 

About PMT 

Project Mutual Telephone (PMT) is a full-service communications company providing local telephone and its associated features, including long distance and voicemail, cell phone service, cable TV, IPTV, high-speed internet, directory publishing and computer networking and repair for home and office.  Headquartered in Rupert, Idaho, PMT has been serving the Magic Valley since 1916.  PMT serves 8,000 member customers and has offices in Rupert, Burley and Twin Falls, ID.

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