LACF grant to support lighting project at Lincoln County 4-H Horse Arena

The Lincoln County 4-H Leaders have been awarded a $1,850 grant from the Lennox Area Community Fund (LACF). The funding was part of LACF’s 2025 grant cycle, which supported eight local organizations. Other recipients include the Lennox Area Ambulance, Junior Achievement, Worthing Fire Department, Lennox Community Library, Old Towne Dinner Theatre, the Chancellor Fire Department, City of Worthing and the Lennox Historical Society.

Lincoln County 4-H Leaders received the $1,850 grant to help support activities and programming for 4-H youth throughout Lincoln County. The grant application was completed by Alissa Luden, secretary of the Lincoln County 4-H Leaders.

The funding will be used to supplement ongoing fundraising efforts for lighting at the Lincoln County 4-H horse arena, located at the new 4-H Fairgrounds north of Lennox. Lincoln County purchased the site in 2019, followed by a capital campaign to construct the facilities needed to support the county’s 4-H program.

Members of the Lincoln County 4-H Horse Project took on the responsibility of fundraising for the horse arena, which was completed in June 2022 in time for the county horse show. The 150-by-250-foot arena has since become one of the most heavily used facilities at the fairgrounds, serving 4-H members as well as hosting horse shows and barrel races. During the past summer, the arena attracted barrel racers from a four-state area on several Sunday afternoons.

To expand the facility’s use and improve functionality, plans are underway to install arena lighting. Light poles have already been donated and installed around the arena. The next phase of the project includes the purchase and installation of LED lights, with six lights planned per pole.

Grant funds from LACF will help offset the cost of purchasing the arena lights. The lighting installation will be a one-time expense. Ongoing electricity costs will be covered by Lincoln County and supplemented through rental fees charged for use of the arena.

Since 2004, the LACF has supported nonprofits in Lennox, Chancellor, and Worthing through donor contributions. Community members are encouraged to learn more or contribute at lennoxareacommunityfund.org. Local nonprofits are reminded that the annual deadline for LACF grant applications is in early August.