meighan mccarthy johansen hope fund
Meighan McCarthy Johansen passed away on February 28, 2013, at the age of 29 from a nearly two year courageous battle with cervical cancer. The McCarthy family was blessed with an outpouring of generosity from family, friends, and community members during Meighan’s radiation and chemotherapy treatments at Methodist Hospital in Omaha and during the experimental therapy at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, and when Meighan passed away, Deb and Jerry knew they wanted to honor their eldest daughter’s memory by giving back to the community that had offered them so much love and support.
Jerry and Deb initially considered a scholarship in Meighan’s name since she was a teacher, however, after learning about PCCF and meeting with staff to discuss their options, they decided to create the Meighan McCarthy Johansen Hope Fund - a donor advised fund - in 2014. Jerry and Deb liked how flexible, convenient, and simple it was to meet their goal of creating a larger impact in our community.
grant award history
"The Donor Advised Fund enables us to take a personal approach to giving by supporting a variety of nonprofit organizations centered around children and education. Our partnership with PCCF has been extremely rewarding. We appreciate the knowledge and support of their staff in enabling us to keep Meighan’s memory alive, while supporting worthy organizations that impact children’s lives."
- Deb McCarthy
2023
AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Grant to support training and background checks for new mentors, and/or field trip experiences for mentors/mentees.Avoca Betterment Association | $1,000
To purchase supplies for the AHSTW Youth Soccer Program.Avoca Food Pantry | $500
Grant to purchase food and supplies.Avoca Youth Baseball | $500
To support field and dugout repairs.City of Avoca | $1,000
Grant to support the 10th Annual Holidays on Main event.Missouri Valley Community School District | $500
To support the high school boys' basketball team.Newton-Area Historical Society | $500
To purchase ceremony flags and poles for the Avoca Cub Scout Pack.TLC Community Food & Clothing Pantry | $500
Grant to purchase food and supplies for the pantry located in Walnut, Iowa.
2022
AHSTW Community School District | $1,000
Funding to purchase or update timing equipment for track meets.AHSTW Community School District | $1,000
Grant to support district and state-level speech contests.AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Grant to support training and background checks for new mentors, and/or field trip experiences for mentors/mentees.Avoca Youth Baseball | $1,000
To support the purchase of a moveable pitcher's mound.Missouri Valley Community School District | $1,000
Grant to support the purchase of new basketball rims and no-slip safety mats for the varsity basketball court.Walnut Community Center Foundation | $1,000
Grant to be used to purchase exercise equipment for the Wellness Center.
2021
AHSTW Intermediate School - Viking Pride Principal's Cabinet | $500
To support breakfasts/lunches for the Principal and Viking Pride Principal's Cabinet - a rotating group of students nominated by teachers for their respect, responsibility, and engagement to provide input to administration and celebrate their achievement.Mighty Vikes Wrestling Club | $500
Grant to be used to purchase wrestling singlets/equipment for club members who cannot afford them. Grants will also support expenses incurred with club operations, ie: mat maintenance, cleaning, tournament fees, etc.Avoca Youth Baseball | $500
Grant to purchase new catcher's and/or other equipment for the Avoca Youth Baseball teams.Avoca Holidays on Main | $500
Grant to help with Holiday on Main expenses, specifically for the live Nativity animal rental and Reindeer Races for children.AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Grant to support training for new members, and provide field trip experiences for mentors/mentees.AHSTW CSD Libraries | $500
Grant to be used to purchase new books for both school libraries to replace lost and damaged books and to update the inventory for student use.AHSTW 5th Grade Band | $500
Grant to support the purchase of musical instruments for 5th Grade band students to use during the school year.AHSTW Vocational Agriculture Program | $1,439.69
Grant to be used to purchase a greenhouse bench and/or other equipment for the newly constructed greenhouse at the AHSTW Community School.
2020
AHSTW CSD | $500
Funds to support the purchase of books and study guides for teaching staff to use in conjunction with their professional development program on mental health self-worth and personal connection of students.AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Funds to be used for training mentors and/or field trip experiences for mentees and their mentors.MICAH House | $644
Funds to support the BUDDY Program and projects benefitting children at the shelter.FAMILY, Inc. | $500
Grant to purchase books and materials for home visits to families in rural East Pottawattamie communities of Avoca, Walnut, Neola, Minden, Oakland, and Carson.AHSTW CSD | $500
Grant to be used to award the winner of the Town & Country Junior Federated Scholarship.AHSTW Vocational Agriculture Program | $1,000
Funds to support the construction/maintenance of a greenhouse at the school which will be used by all K-2 students to develop skills in agriculture, ecology, marketing, and other STEM areas.AHSTW CSD | $500
Funds to support the creation of sensory paths on the two playgrounds used by preschool and primary grade students.
2019
AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Funds to be used for training mentors and/or field trip experiences for mentees and their mentors.AHSTW Speech Department | $150
Funds to support the purchase of frames for pictures of All-State Speech participants for new trophy case.Missouri Valley Community School District | $500
Grant to be used towards the purchase of a Knox Box.City of Avoca | $500
Funds to support family games/events during Avoca's 150th year celebration in July 2019.AHSTW National Honor Society | $350
Funds to support the purchase of new soles for NHS members to wear over their graduation gowns.AHSTW CSD | $273
Funds to help provide a community/school event to educate parents and students on the importance of human connection, respect, and leadership.
2018
AHSTW TeamMates | $1,000
Funds to be used for training mentors and/or field trip experiences for mentees and their mentors.City of Avoca/Avoca Public Library Memorial Fund | $500
Funds to support the landscaping at the new Musical Garden located at the Avoca Public Library.City of Avoca | $300
Grant to be used towards expenses for the annual Holidays on Main family event.AHSTW CSD | $500
Funds to support speaker costs and advertising for the free community event provided by Avoca Rotary Club and AHSTW Schools. the event will educate grandparents, parents, and children on human trafficking and youth mental health issues.
2017
AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Funds to be used for training mentors and/or general operating expenses.City of Avoca | $200
Funds to support activities and expenses associated with the City of Avoca's Holidays on Main family-fun event.AHSTW CSD Lego League | $500
Grant to support the purchase of materials, and will cover fees associated with competitions for students participating in the program.AHSTW CSD | $500
Funds to support the Bullying and Teen Suicide Prevention Program that will be held in conjunction with the Avoca Rotary Club.
2016
City of Avoca | $300
Funds to support activities and expenses associated with the City of Avoca's Holidays on Main family-fun event which encourages family fun and togetherness.AHSTW TeamMates | $1,200
Funds to be used for training mentors and/or general operating expenses.
2015
AHSTW TeamMates | $500
Funds to be used for training mentors and/or general operating expenses.AHSTW CSD | $500
Funds to support the Speech and Drama Department for the purchase of a quality speaker and other expenses incurred with travel of students to speech contests.City of Elk Horn, IA | $500
Funds to support the construction of a shade pergola or similar structure at the Elk Horn city pool in memory of Meighan's cousin Ayzlec McCarthy (age 3) who passed away in December of flu complications.
