Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association (SCIA) along with Nishna Productions, Inc. and the Depot Restaurant are organizing the 10^th annual Disability Awareness Walk in Shenandoah May 3. This year the 1-mile route is through Shenandoah’s downtown street scape and around Priest Park.

     Participants are encouraged to register by filling out an entry form with a signed waiver. Forms are available at SCIA, NPI, and the Depot Restaurant as well as at www.sciaiowa.com.  Other sponsors for the event are El Porton Mexican Grill, Fareway, First Heritage Bank, National Alliance on Mental Illness, HyVee and St. Mary’s Shenandoah. More sponsors are welcome to contribute. Contact SCIA to contribute monetary donations or in-kind contributions. The items needed are bottled water and inexpensive items or gift cards for the door prize drawings.

      The free walk starting at 11 a.m. is for all ages and all abilities and is open to the public. This regional event begins at the Depot Deli 101 Railroad St. Walkers will travel east on Sheridan Avenue downtown street scape to Sycamore St. and head back west on the southside of Sheridan Avenue to Blossom St. heading south behind the Public Library to 5^th Avenue and south again on Elm St. to Priest Park. Water will be available at the park. The walkers will travel around the park and head back north on Maple St. to complete the one-mile course back on Sheridan Avenue to the Depot Deli finish. The route can accommodate wheelchairs.

     Volunteers will be needed for walker assistance and to act as crossing guards. Reflective vests will be provided for street crossing guards. Volunteers are also needed to help with set-up, to pass out water at the half-way point and food service & prizes at the after party.

     “This year is the 10th anniversary of the Disability Awareness Walk, and each year it has grown. It has been such a blessing to see our residents connect with walking buddies and start forming friendships. This year, we hope to see even more community members join us in the walk and in the celebration of all the individuals who will be walking with us,” said NPI Development Specialist Emily Martin.

     This year participants walking or riding will receive colorful logo sunglasses at the start. The after party under the big yellow tent at the Depot will feature a free hot dog lunch, root beer floats and music by Jeff Slater. There will also be drawings for door prizes from area businesses.

     Jeff Slater has been entertaining area music lovers in the vicinity for over 15 years with his wit, storytelling and musical talents.  Jeff has been an active community volunteer and supporter of Southwest Iowa projects including the Wabash Trace, the music scene and whenever needed to help-out.  Jeff lives south of Shenandoah with his wife Ann, daughter Sofia and Lucy the wonder dog.

     “Everyone from the surrounding area is welcome to participate in this special event,” said SCIA Marketing Director Shelly Warner. “It’s a fun, rewarding event with old and new friends, music, and exercise.”

     All volunteers and sponsors should contact SCIA to sign-up volunteer 712-246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com. The registration form can also be viewed at the website www.sciaiowa.com or Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association Facebook page.

April 9^th 10 am SCIA Ribbon Cutting for Grand Opening of the Donut Stop 606 W Sheridan Ave. Welcome new owners Todd & Stacy Kirk of Shenandoah and enjoy some coffee & donuts. www.donutstopshen.com

Shenandoah Chamber & Industry Association hosts the Saturday March 15th, 8 a.m. Legislative Coffee with State legislators at the Bricker Room in the Safety Center, 400 W Sheridan Avenue. Coffee and Donut Stop donuts will be served.

SCIA Agriculture Future of America Scholarships, Apply Now Thru March 6 Online

      Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association Ag Committee and Agriculture Future of America join forces each year to support an agricultural scholarship program. Applications are now being accepted online at the website www.agfuture.org under the Scholarship tab through March 6, 2025.

     This year the SCIA Ag Committee will award up to two scholarships. AFA matches community funds, now being raised by the SCIA Ag Committee, to offer $4,675 in each scholarship, including $3,200 academic scholarship and the remainder is to cover the AFA Leaders Conference expenses in Kansas City the following November.

     Qualified applicants are Shenandoah, Sidney or Essex high school seniors who will pursue a degree in agriculture or any related field at an accredited college or university. Many majors qualify if they will be applied to the agriculture industry, such as…business, chemistry, horticulture, animal science, education, computer science etc.

    The application process also includes an essay sharing the applicant’s personal vision for agriculture and why they are interested in an agricultural career. An interview will be conducted soon after March 6th at the SCIA office, 619 W. Sheridan Avenue. Applications must be posted online by March 6th so they can set up interview times. The link to the application is http://www.agfuture.org then click on the community partner scholarship.

    The goal of the AFA Scholarship is to identify students with strong potential. Students are also scored on community service and citizenship, activities, work experience, family need, references, grade point (3.0 and above) and student rank. The Essay has the greatest weight in scoring applicants.

    The Scholarship winners will be announced at the SCIA Annual Meeting and Ag Banquet to be held later this summer. SCIA Ag Committee members are now gathering donations for the Agriculture Future of America scholarship. Agriculture Future of America Foundation provides $2,225 to match $2,450 raised locally for each scholarship. Businesses and individuals that wish to contribute should contact SCIA at 246-3455, chamber@sciaiowa.com or drop off a check. Checks should be made to Greater Shenandoah Foundation.