The Boone Central Lady Cards volleyball team traveled to Guardian Angels Central Catholic for their first game fo the Mid-States Conference tournament on Monday, Oct. 20.

Across the U.S., from Idaho to Minnesota, rural voices are showing how one photo can make a difference. Six winners of Lallemand’s 2025 Hometown Roots contest have each chosen a local organization to receive $5,000, supporting programs that strengthen rural communities and celebrate the next generation of agricultural leaders.

The Boone County Big Give creates an annual opportunity for charitable organizations to identify a core need to raise awareness and funds for. This year, 37 local groups are participating, with projects, including: 23 Tails, Inc. - Boone County Dog Park Akron Community Center - Exterior Improvements & New Bathroom Albion Area Arts Council, Inc. Summer Concert Series Albion Baseball/City of Albion Cardinal Cage, Phase 2 Albion Chamber of Commerce Downtown Building Lights & Mini Park Upkeep Albion Economic Development Corp. - Trail Expansion & Clark Street Park Renovation Albion Education Foundation Creation of Outdoor Classrooms Albion Public Library - Two New Children’s Programs Albion Rose Hill Cemetery Inc. Asphalt Road Maintenance American Legion Post #334 (Petersburg) - Facility Improvements Beaver Valley Senior Center - Repair East Entry & Paint Blessings in a Backpack - Weekend Meals Boone Beginnings Early Childhood & Family Development Ctr. - Outdoor Play Equipment Boone Central PTO - Sun Shades for Playground Boone Co. Ag Education Center - Concrete for Parking Lot Improvements Boone Co. Development Agency - Youth-Focused Leadership Pipeline Boone County Fitness Center Items from Members’ Wish List Boone County Friends of the Trail - Growing a Trail for All Ages Trail Expansion Boone County Foundation Fund Unrestricted Permanent Endowment Boone Co. Health Center Foundation - Mental Health Financial Assistance Program Boone County Historical Society/ Museum - Updated Lighting, South Room Boone County Jr. Leaders/4-H Club - A-Rama Livestock Show Boy Scout Troop #155 (American Legion Post #165) - Scout Camp & Establishment of Girl’s Troop Cardinal Kids Club - CKC Clubs Supplies Cedar Valley Community Foundation - Replace Community Picnic Tables & Benches Gateway Youth Foundation (Theatre) - Exterior Doors & New Projector Good Samaritan Society-Albion Robotic Companion Pets Little Missy Softball - Two Juggs Pitching Machines for Cardinal Cage Petersburg Community Club/ Village of Petersburg - Community Beautification Petersburg Community Foundation - Upgrade Water Fountains & New Stair Climber Petersburg Public Library/Village of Petersburg - Microfiche to Flash Drive Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department - Update Communication Devices for Wildland Fire Trucks Primrose Rural Fire District #5 Water & Foam Tanks Riverside Education Foundation Marquee at Riverside-Cedar Rapids Campus St. Edward Development Co. Digital Community Event Sign St. Edward Public Library - Building Updates to Improve Accessibility Village of Primrose - New Surface Under Park Playground Equipment This year, the giving week is Monday, December 1 through Saturday, December 6. All dollars raised stay in Boone County and are used for their designated purposes. Over the last 11 years, more than $3 million has been raised to support approximately 250 local projects. Supporters can learn more about each organization and their projects at: BCBigGive.org or follow the Boone County Big Give online: @BCBigGive.

It’s easy to get a little comfortable on a four-game winning streak. Even easier when your opponent is 1-5 and you’re playing on your home field. But comfort is rarely a good thing in high school sports.