RAGBRAI Centerville Committee members Thursday afternoon distributed $31,500 to 14 local organizations. The money was given out as a grant and represented what was left over after all non-profit group's entry fees were reimbursed and all expenses had been paid to host RAGBRAI Wednesday, July 27.

RAGBRAI Centerville Committee treasurer Mark Dekker said in addition to the $31,500, nine local non-profit organizations were refunded $3,000, the entire fee they paid as an approved vendor on the day of RAGBRAI.

"There were a number of groups as well, but unfortunately there wasn't enough funds to go all the way around," Dekker said of the organizations that did not get a grant. "And certainly very well deserving."

"Not just to cover operating expenses," MacArthur said. "But rather to expand, to add product, to do something they couldn't have done otherwise. And so that's what we looked for."

Representatives from the local organizations gathered at the band shell on the Appanoose County Courthouse lawn Thursday afternoon to accept the community grant money from RAGBRAI Centerville Committee members.

Organizations that applied for a grant and the amount awarded: Appanoose County Baseball Association, $1,000; Appanoose County Conservation Board, $1,000; Appanoose County All-Play, $4,500; Appanoose County Historical Society, $1,000; Appanoose EcoVision, $1,500; Appanoose Community Care Services, $1,500; Centerville Mat Club, $1,000; Centerville Holiday Lights Committee, $4,500; Exline Ramblers 4H, $4,500; Off the Square Theatre Company, $1,500; Friends of Oakland Cemetery, $1,000; Main Street Centerville, $4,500; Troop 33 – Boy Scouts, $2,000; and Reaching All People Together, $2,000.

RAGBRAI Centerville Committee members include Sarah Lind, Christina Laurson, Mark Dekker, John Cosby, Ryan Stober, Mark Halverson and Neil MacArthur.