February 2007

The Jackson EMC Foundation Board of Directors awarded a total of $72,800 in grants during their February meeting, including $59,500 to organizations and $13,300 to individuals.

Organizational Grant Recipients:

$7,000 to the Barrow County Special Olympics to purchase equipment for about 200 special needs athletes and athletes in training from 17 county schools so they can compete in basketball, bocce, bowling, soccer, softball, alpine skiing, swimming, and track and field events.

$7,500 to the Center Point Mentor Program in Gainesville to recruit, train and place caring mentors with at-risk young people in Gainesville City and Hall County schools. Mentors provide one-on-one support to provide encouragement, advice and academic help to complete their high school education and go on to succeed in life.

$10,000 to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia in Athens to continue supplying food to those in need through its mobile pantry program. The mobile pantry enables the Food Bank to move large quantities of food, as well as distribute food before its expiration date, and eliminates the need for storage space.

$15,000 to assist a Summer Scholars Institute that provides intensive academic enrichment to at-risk middle and high school students. The summer program, held at Gainesville College, provides skills that will help students be successful and concentrates on the basic areas of reading, writing and mathematics, along with science for third-year students.

$5,000 to The Guest House in Gainesville to help provide a hot, balanced and nutritious lunch and snack to frail, elderly clients who receive day health services at the agency. Guest House allows seniors with functional impairments to maintain some independence, promotes social contact and provides caregivers with a respite.

$7,500 to provide Junior Achievement curriculum materials to 220 students in Hall County Title I schools. The program teaches students the fundamentals of the private enterprise economic system and provides them with practical and realistic hands-on experience in the economics of life, including finances, career opportunities and good consumer habits.

$7,500 to Lilburn Cooperative Ministry to assist needy families with a maximum $250 assistance annually for rent or mortgage payments, helping them prevent foreclosure or eviction. The ministry’s 40 partner churches minister to the material and spiritual needs of those in crisis, including providing a food pantry and thrift store, as well as assistance with school supplies and Christmas gifts.

 

Individual Grant Recipients:

$3,500 for the installation of a heating and air conditioning system in the home of a single mother and her child.

$2,800 for the installation of a heating and air conditioning system in the home of a visually impaired man and his disabled wife.

$3,500 for the installation of a wheelchair lift on the truck of a disabled senior citizen.

$3,500 to help purchase a mini-van that will be used to transport a family's special needs children to medical appointments.

Are You Missing Out on an Operation Round Up Grant?

Are you missing out on an Operation Round Up (ORU) grant opportunity? Grant applications are available to individuals and organizations within Jackson EMC's 10-county service territory. You don't have to be a member to apply, and decisions are made monthly. Jackson EMC's Foundation has awarded nearly $1.2 million to 106 organizations and 38 individuals so far, and there's room for more. Apply today or recommend the program to someone you know. Visit www.jacksonemc.com/roundup to learn more about ORU and the difference our members are making through the Jackson EMC Foundation.