Orell Farley Foundation Accepting Grant Applications
Applications available for Jasper County projects and activities
Newton (May 01, 2022) – The Orell Farley Foundation is once again accepting applications for the
annual grant process. In 2021, nine organizations received a combined total of $30,205.87 toward
projects that benefit the general public of Jasper County. The Foundation is accepting 2022 applications
for grants May 1 through July 30, 2022 to benefit charitable, education, religious or scientific purposes
within Jasper County that currently have 501(c)(3) status with the Internal Revenue Service.
Initially funded in 2018, the Orell Farley Foundation supplements qualified organizations in Jasper
County, Illinois that sponsor projects and activities that enhance public health, safety, recreation and
education for the use and enjoyment of the community. An organization must be either a tax-supported
governmental unit or entity, or must be a tax-exempt organization under Internal Revenue Code Section
501(c)(3) and must be located in Jasper County.
Ms. Orell Farley, a retired schoolteacher, began her career in 1928 in a one-room schoolhouse with first
through eighth grades. According to an article written by former student Ray Elliott, she was instantly
someone the students respected.
“She made the rules and we played by them,” Elliott wrote. “We read when we were supposed to read,
studied when we were supposed to study and kept quiet when we were supposed to keep quiet.”
Farley acted as teacher, janitor, coach and PE teacher to hundreds of rural students during her time
behind the desk. She taught a total of 45 years in Crawford and Jasper Counties, mostly with all the
grades in the same room, and appreciated knowing where her students were coming from.
The Peoples State Bank has been proudly serving the public consistently since 1875. A community-owned bank,
Peoples State Bank serves Jasper, Lawrence, Bond, Fayette and Marion Counties in Illinois. With eight locally-owned
and operated branches and the latest in mobile and online banking, Peoples State Bank is a perfect combination of
banking expertise and community spirit.
www.psbnewton.com 1-800-669-0341 Member FDIC.
“By knowing the background and family life of each student, I knew what to expect and sometimes what
to overlook,” she said. She rarely found it necessary to spank students. However, she was a stickler for
rules and expected them to be followed.
“If we broke one of her rules, she’d discipline us,” Elliott wrote. “She ran her classroom like a Top
Sergeant, yet she was both kind and loving to everyone.”
That kind and loving spirit was the spark that created the Orell Farley Foundation. Grant forms are
available from the Peoples State Bank as Trustee of the Foundation, which has offices at 100 W.
Washington Street in Newton. You may request an application by stopping by the main bank or emailing
psbnewton@psbnewton.com.
