Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake announce grant awards

At their monthly luncheon on Monday, March 9, Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake distributed funds for their 2025/26 grant funding cycle, with representatives from recipient organizations on hand to receive the checks. 

Following welcome and opening remarks by current and incoming presidents Treena Wilt and Dawne Gardner, fundraising committee chairman Janet Donohue thanked members and friends for the successful 2025 fundraising events that led to being able to award $88,756 in grants to agencies providing services to families in Taney and Stone County. The recipient agencies and their projects for using the funding are as follows: 

●      Bonniebrook Historical Society – Purchase of an archive system to digitize and catalog research library

●      Boys & Girls Club of the Ozarks – Summer enrichment scholarship program for children and families 

●      The Brook Wellness Center, Inc. – Holiday joy for area children through the annual Toy Drive 

●      Christian Action Ministries – Food costs for the Neighbor2Neighbor Food Program 

●      Gateway Branson, Inc. – Food and necessities for area homeless persons 

●      Gift of Hope, Inc. – Backpack food program for Taney County schools 

●      Harbor House Domestic Violence Shelter – Assist with building a secure office to protect client records 

●      House of Hope – Warming/cooling center expenses including electricity and supplies 

●      Kimberling Area Library Association – Book subscription services and library catalog

●      Kimberling Area Senior Center – Updated lighting system 

●      Lives Under Construction Boys Ranch – Purchase, repair and maintain equipment for community assistance program 

●      Pathways Project Coalition of the Ozarks – Relapse prevention classes, peer mentoring and support for trafficking survivors’ continued healing 

●      Pregnancy Life Line, Inc. – Home safety equipment to protect clients’ children from accidental injuries 

●      Quilts of Valor of the Ozarks – supplies for completing Quilts of Valor for area veterans 

●      Shell Knob in the Spotlight – Expanded stage for community arts productions showcasing local talent for educational, recreational, civic and benevolent endeavors

●      Southern Stone County Food Pantry – Food purchases 

●      Stone County Citizens in Action – Purchase and installation of in-vehicle video systems in Stone County Sheriff’s Department vehicles 

●      Tri-Lakes Humane Society – Spay/neuter program costs 

●      Weekend Backpacks for Kids – Weekend food bags for K-4 Reeds Spring students 

Featured speaker following the award distribution was Stone County Sheriff Doug Rader, on the topic of “Fraud and Scams.” After thanking the group for their support during and following the recent tragic events involving officers from several counties, Sheriff Rader shared valuable information about the types of fraud and scams being perpetrated nationwide, frequently targeting senior citizens and particularly widows and including several Stone County residents. Many incidents go unreported until it is too late, due to the victim’s embarrassment at having fallen for the scam, and Sheriff Rader encouraged those present to be aware of several key scam risks, both for themselves and for loved ones and neighbors. 

Types of scams include romance scams, in which the perpetrator grooms and builds trust via social media; agency scams threatening legal action for a supposed violation; fake sweepstakes or lotteries; home repair scams after major weather events; and more. Risk is often high locally as retirees move to the lake area without close family nearby to be alert for potential risk. Widows are at particular risk due to the amount of personal family information often included in obituaries, making it easy for a scammer to pose as a family member in need, especially with new AI voice technology. To help combat this, the sheriff advised creating a special family keyword for identification online and on the phone. 

After giving several real-life examples, Sheriff Rader encouraged those present to reach out to his office at 417-357-6116 to report suspicious activity or inquire about legitimate service providers, and to pick up an information card available at Branson Bank locally. He also invited the community to an expanded one-hour presentation scheduled for May 14 at the Kimberling City Elks Lodge; call the Sheriff’s office or check the Facebook page for details. Sheriff Rader is also available to present the information to church or civic groups. 

Neighbors and Friends of Table Rock Lake is a registered nonprofit group whose mission includes two separate, but related, facets: To promote and assist with charitable projects through fundraising events and the annual grants; and to foster friendship and community connections. Upcoming events that help accomplish both those purposes include “Sing, No Sing,” an evening of karaoke and lip sync on Friday, April 10, at Crazy Craig’s Shipwreck Bar & Grill; the Upscale Garage Sale on Friday and Saturday, May 1 and 2; the annual Twilight gala; and the annual Holiday Home Tour & Boutique. Follow the Facebook page or check the website, https://www.nftrl.org/. 

NFTRL group leaders say “There are no strangers—only friends who have not met,” so check out becoming a member and find the friends, fellowship and purpose you want and need.