Five thousand dollars can go a long way, especially if it gets into the right hands. Just ask Kathy Peterson of Chautauqua County Rural Ministry.

Peterson, executive director of the agency, was on hand Friday at the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation in Dunkirk during its awarding of the community grants and pride funding to more than 20 area non-profits. The $5,000 Rural Ministry collects is for its partnership with the K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers program.

The New York City organization’s mission is to improve the well-being, self-esteem and dignity of at-risk children, families and individuals. It provides clothing, shoes, educational materials and home furnishings to those less fortunate.

Last year, that $5,000 – approved by the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation – to K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers turned into $108,667 worth of merchandise for the Rural Ministry to distribute.

That is an unbelievable return on an investment. Other non-profits, led by the work of volunteers, also benefitted from the funding. Some of those included the Fredonia Opera House, the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Chautauqua County, the Northlake Family Recreation Center, Child Advocacy Program, Hospice of Chautauqua County and the Cherry Creek Community Association just to name a few.

In all, these groups received $81,511. That money will be reinvested in the community to benefit thousands of those who live here. Most of that money – like the K.I.D.S. program – is a tremendous investment in our residents and a number of trusted organizations.

But the greatest reward may be the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation. Thanks to nearly 30 years of donations from local residents, the foundation is able to give where we live.