MARSHALL - John Bowden has a secret identity.
To the first-graders at Park Side Elementary, he is "Grandpa John," a kindly foster grandparent who pushes them on the swings.
But the teachers know he is more than that: He's the literate former educator with a penchant for obtaining grant money to buy things the school needs.
"I really enjoy doing this. This is the sort of fun stuff you can do when you're retired," he said.
He's no stranger to grant writing. He was library director at Southwest Minnesota State University from 1983-2004, before retiring as dean of distance learning in July 2007.
"When I was working at SMSU, I wrote a lot of grants," he said. He's also used his skills to benefit the Library Foundation, of which he is president.
It's not hard to find the people looking to give money to worthy causes, he said - you just have to find the right ones to give to your project.
"You have to do research," he said. "Find out what is applicable to the project."
He spent 41 years in education, so he knows how much things cost.
"I figure since I retired, I've gotten the (Marshall) district $25,000," Bowden said.
That includes two SMARTboards, and funding for three different art groups to visit.
"(The money) adds the extra for children to enjoy," he said. "You remember the special events."
He was instrumental in helping obtain a $700 grant from the Youth As Resources (YAR) board to help fund the Foster Grandparents program, where the first graders will visit Boulder Estates and Hill Street Place to read to the senior residents. Bowden is excited about the program and the benefits to the children and the elderly.
He's looking forward to the spring, when American Indians will visit the school, set up tee-pees, and teach the kids about Native American culture.
He's also gotten a grant to purchase science books.
Due to his efforts, Park Side teacher Debi Pack was able to obtain $5,000 in an Avon Grant to start a Girls Club for first-graders. The activities help promote the girls' self-esteem.
Pack was so grateful she nominated Bowden as a Hero in the Making with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Bowden received the call in late December that he had been chosen for the weekly award.
He received 22 tickets and the use of a suite in the arena during a T-wolves game. He was presented a basketball by the Wolves' mascot Crunch, but the best part was spending time with his family, including his wife, Phyllis; daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Kelly Haynes; and 7-year-old grandson, Nikolas Haynes.
"It was fun," he said. "It's an honor, and having your friends there adds to the experience."
