Thanks to a start-up grant from the Polk County Community Foundation, the Friends of Harmon Field has now become a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.

Friends president Lorna Dever stated the new status will be a great asset to Harmon Field as the Friends will be better able to tap in to grants.

Dever also shared that she learned at a recent grant writing class that many organizations that contribute money do not consider government entities high on their list for making charitable donations. Therefore, Friends of Harmon Field will be able to submit more grant applications to various places than could be achieved through the Town of Tryon.

&dquo;We have many upcoming projects for Harmon Field,&dquo; Dever continued, &dquo;that need financial support from local donors and national entities interested in our projects. It is our hope that having achieved nonprofit status will increase the cash flow into these projects.&dquo;

One of the biggest projects currently at Harmon Field is the renovation of the open-air gym, which is badly needed for the summer camp program at Harmon Field.

Another project in need of donations is the scholarship fund for summer camp. Many area young people need the benefits of a summer camp program, but may not be able to afford the camp fees themselves.

If you would like to make a tax deductible donation to either of these funds, make your check to Friends of Harmon Field and mail to P.O. Box 44, Lynn, N.C. 28750.

&dquo;Without the financial support of the Polk County Community Foundation, achieving official nonprofit status would not have come so quickly for the Friends of Harmon Field,&dquo; Dever said. &dquo;We look forward to being a bigger asset to the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors because of our new nonprofit status.&dquo;