The Junior Service League of Grand Junction donated a total of $62,000 to 13 Mesa County nonprofit organizations offering health care, education and a range of other services.

The Junior Service League, a service organization founded in 1983 by a group of women committed to volunteerism and fund-raising, awarded the grants at a special dinner.

“This night is the culmination of the hard work of our members and the joy of seeing the impact of their efforts on the betterment of our community,” said Ahna Brock, community giving chair for the Junior Service League. “Nothing is more special.”

The Junior Service League awarded funds to: Clifton Christian Church Food Bank, Community Food Bank, DiscoverAbility, Family Health West, Golden Girls, Harmony Acres Equestrian Center, Hope of the Grand Valley, Karis, MarillacHealth, Reverent Rhythms, Riverside Education Center, Rocky Mountain Wings and United Way.

Cameron Cunningham, founder and director of Reverent Rhythms, said the grant will provide additional scholarships and support for a mission to improve student well-being through practicing performing arts.

“The benefits are like compound interest,” Cunningham said. “There are emotional, spiritual and physical benefits of performing arts, and we appreciate the Junior Service League for their support.”

Since its inception, the Junior Service League has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants to local nonprofits and logged more than 750,000 hours of volunteer service.

Tickets are on sale for the group’s largest fund-raising effort, Viva El Vino, scheduled for April 29 at the Wine Country Inn in Palisade. For more information, visit, https://jslgj.com/viva-el-vino.

Grant applications for Mesa County nonprofit organizations will be available in July on the Junior Service League website at https://jslgj.com.