Submitted Photo Palmer Thompson races with Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports.

Cenex, the energy brand of CHS, in partnership with Pinnacle Cooperative, has awarded Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports a $25,000 Hometown Pride grant for its commitment to building more inclusive community connections and its core work to help those impacted by physical and mental disabilities participate in sports and recreational activities to enhance the lives of those who are differently abled.

The Minot-based nonprofit creates opportunities for children and adults with a wide range of abilities to participate in sports activities through adaptive tools and programming, removing the barriers that can make it difficult to play or engage within their community.

“Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports is about so much more than sports. The opportunities we’re creating are a ton of fun for our players, but these activities also provide important physical and mental health benefits, like improved self-esteem, social skills, increased range of motion, strength, endurance and more,” said Krystal Butgereit, executive director of Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports.

The organization has helped participants as young as 3 years old impacted by cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, Down syndrome, autism, amputations and more to participate in everything from gymnastics to golf and hunting. Additionally, the organization has worked with nearly 600 community volunteers, who assist in facilitating a wide range of the organization’s adaptive programs.

As Prairie Grit’s programs continue to grow, there is a need for more equipment for new community members to participate. With the help of the $25,000 Hometown Pride grant, the organization will be able to purchase additional sports wheelchairs, eliminating the high financial burden for those unable to participate without adaptive equipment. The wheelchairs also will be instrumental in the organization’s work to promote disability and inclusiveness in local schools.

Through the Hometown Pride grant initiative, Cenex has invested more than $475,000 in local organizations since the program began in 2019.