From Staff Reports
The Rotary Club of Marion Foundation announced seven grants totaling $10,000 that have been made to local nonprofit organizations as part of the club’s small grant process.
The grants had to be for specific projects that further the work of the nonprofit or service organization in McDowell County, according to a news release.
“The allocation of small grants to local nonprofits is a structured, professional process that is utilized to ensure that our fundraising efforts are maximized in the community. We are impressed and deeply appreciative of the work these organization are doing,” said Rotary Club President Chip Cross.
The latest small grants were awarded Thursday at the regular meeting of the Rotary Club. David Watson and Cecilia Reel, co-chairs of the Small Grants Committee, made the presentations.
They also recognized the committee members: Betsy Watson, Tyler Mace, Andrea Allison, Steve Jones, David Patneaude, Annette Bryant, Nancy J. Byrnes and Sharon Parker.
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The grants include:
$1,500 to Live Like Megan for provisions such as: food, household items, clothing, shoes, and toys to children entering foster or kinship care.
$1,500 to Mission Ministries Alliance for the project to purchase a commercial refrigerator.
This project is part of an ongoing effort to support homeless women and children.
$1,500 to Project Challenge North Carolina for their Greenhouse Project, where youth referrals from juvenile services, school resource officers, law enforcement and Teen Court-type programs will put together the structure of the greenhouse, plant the seeds, and maintain the gardens. The food will feed a countless number of the McDowell County needy families and homeless population.
$1,500 to Lake James Environmental Association. Their project is for durable access paths and turf-reinforced learning stations along the greenway and riverbank supporting the Kids in the Creek program.
$1,500 to McDowell Trails Association for interpretive signage at the Morehead Cemetery plaza that tells the history of the cemetery and its significance to the African American community and McDowell County. The MTA will work closely with the McDowell Cemetery Association to provide accurate information that will tell the story of a once-neglected but now revitalized cemetery.
$1,250 to Foothills Health Project is for a joint child passenger safety program with McDowell County Child Fatality Prevention Team and Community Child Protection Team. The program’s aim is to expand their efforts in providing car seat education and assistance to families in need. The collaborative project involves utilizing their recently certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians to provide comprehensive car seat education and installation services to families in McDowell County.
$1,250 McDowell Chamber of Commerce for the Career Awareness Readiness Program (CARP). The primary objective of CARP is to enhance the Chamber’s relationship within the education system and raise students’ awareness of career opportunities available in our local business and manufacturing community, with a new interest in small business.
Since 1939, Marion’s Rotary Club has been a powerful force for positive change in McDowell County. The club has given over $50,000 to local nonprofit organizations as part of the club’s small grant process since 2020. Every year, the Rotary Club provides scholarships to McDowell County students and gives grants to local nonprofit organizations. The club holds a big Christmas party in December where members give holiday joy to needy children in our community. Rotarians distribute multiplication flash cards for all third-grade students in McDowell and take part in the yearly Read Across America event by reading Dr. Seuss books at local schools. Every October, the Rotary Club of Marion hosts the annual auction, which is its biggest fundraiser and makes many of these worthwhile efforts possible, according to the news release.
In the past few years, Marion Rotarians donated a flagpole at the Joseph McDowell Historical Catawba Greenway. The club also donated three Automated External Defibrillators (AED) devices for public buildings in case of a medical emergency. Rotary gave three AEDs to the city of Marion and three to McDowell County. The club also donated a minivan to the McDowell County School System. The vehicle was given by the club so the school system can assist students and families in need of transportation and education.
Last year, the Rotary Club launched the Million Meal March for Ukraine effort and held the Red Sand Project at the courthouse, which sought to raise awareness of human trafficking. The club took on a project to renovate the audio and video system at the Marion Community Building.
Most recently, the Rotary Club donated 3,000 earbuds to 12 schools in McDowell County. The club meets every Thursday at noon at the Community Building and new members are always welcome, according to the news release.
If you or someone that you know is interested in learning more about Rotary or attending a meeting, contact Arthur Parks at AWParks@aol.com.
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