By Woodrow Polston
The MFA Oil Foundation has announced that it awarded a grant to the Farber Community Betterment Inc. The grant will assist with the purchase of a four-way LED park light post for Sportsman Park located in Farber. Members of the Community Betterment group have been working on efforts to make multiple improvements to the park.
“This grant is part of the bigger ‘Make our park shine again’ project that Farber Community Betterment kicked off in early 2021,” said Treasurer Ruth Williams. “The goal was to renovate and upgrade Sportsman Park in Farber. We have worked since that time, fundraising, gathering donations and requesting grant funds. Goals for improvement include replacing concession stand flooring and interior paint, adding playground gravel and edging, improved ball field seating, new shed and dugout paint, and a new park sign,” she added.
The MFA Oil Foundation provides support to nonprofit organizations that are working to improve communities where MFA Oil has a significant concentration of members and employees. Since it was established in 1998, the MFA Oil Foundation has awarded more than $1 million in grants.
“This grant will provide a new four-way park light for the volleyball, horseshoe and playground area, which will add hours of safe, usable playing time,” said Williams. “Their assistance, along with all the other support we have received is greatly appreciated. Some building weatherproofing and painting have been completed. As soon as the weather clears work will begin again. Most of the improvements will be done with volunteer labor, so watch for park fix up day announcements,” she added.
The City of Farber will be celebrating its Sesquicentennial on Aug. 5 and 6, at Sportsman Park, which also prompted the improvements. Brandie Gay, Fun Fest chair, had scheduled a planning meeting for Wednesday, March 2, at the Farber Community Building. Volunteers from all around the area are invited to come help. Fundraising will continue in the effort to help expand the playground, and other smaller improvements, as well. Anyone that is interested in donating or volunteering may contact Lynn Flowers, the Community Betterment chair.
MFA Oil Co., formed in 1929, is a farmer-owned cooperative with more than 40,000 members. MFA Oil is the eighth largest propane retailer in the U.S. The company supplies fuels, lubricants and propane to customers in Missouri, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee. Through a subsidiary, MFA Oil operates Break Time convenience stores in Missouri and Big O Tires franchises in Arkansas and Missouri.