In the spirit of one of the Rotary Club of Athens’ Four-Way Test questions, “Will it be beneficial to all concerned,” ten non-profit organizations were given a total of $10,000 in grant funds to assist in various endeavors that will benefit those in the community – The King’s Rein Equine Assisted Outreach, Ark Campus Ministry, Henderson County Rainbow Room, Henderson County Young Life, Athens Christian Preparatory Academy, East Texas Crisis Center, Ruby’s Safe Haven, Wreaths Across America, Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts of America, and the East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society.
The Rotary Club of Athens chooses grant recipients from applications they receive and these grants are given based on meeting one of three criteria: Will this grant be able to fund an entire project and fulfill a complete need, How great of an outreach would these funds have overall while remaining local, and Would this expand the growth and development of our local youth.
Community Chair Holly Blong stated, “I feel we did a great job of selecting organizations that touch on Rotary’s diverse areas of focus.”
The amount given was raised with funds earned by the Inaugural Triple C Event held earlier this spring, additional profit from selling Solar Eclipse Glasses after thousands of pairs were donated to local schools, and other fundraisers like the annual golf tournament. The Rotary Club appreciates all who participated in these events and contributed throughout the year to the projects Rotary is involved in that fund grants and scholarships.
The following are the organizations chosen to receive grant funds this year.
The King’s Rein Equine Assisted Outreach’s mission is to engage equines to help restore people’s mental and emotional health and develop self-worth, confidence, trust, and compassion. Through the horses and volunteers, the people who visit them in LaRue, experience the healing and transforming power of love through acceptance and encouragement.
Ark Campus Ministry is an organization that helps Trinity Valley Community College students discover their God-given purpose and provides a safe space for students to develop a deeper relationship with God.
The Henderson County Rainbow Room helps approximately 600 children each year when they are removed from a home due to abuse or neglect and usually leave with only the clothes they are wearing. The Rainbow Room helps to fill their needs as they transition to foster care and they will be using the grant funds to purchase lice treatment kits needed for those under Child Protective Services’ care.
Henderson County Young Life will use its grant funds to help send students on a one-time experience at a Young Life camp where they can unplug from daily life and grow closer to Christ.
Athens Christian Preparatory Academy is the only Henderson County K-12 accredited private school and they will be purchasing commercial-grade picnic tables for outdoor educational use.
The East Texas Crisis Center will continue providing gas cards to Help End Abusive Relationship Tendencies (HEART) support group members who are struggling financially. This is a confidential support group for battered and former victims.
Ruby’s Safe Haven provides safe temporary shelter to women and children in need, showing them the love of Jesus, with the hope of returning them to a healthy and happy lifestyle.
Wreaths Across America hosts an annual wreath-laying event around Christmas time on the graves of local veterans. Not only does Rotary help with grant funds for wreath purchases, but they also participate by helping lay wreaths each year at local cemeteries.
Circle Ten Council Boy Scouts of America will use funds to support its 2024 Annual “Friends of Scouting” Campaign. A few months ago Rotarians toured the Trevor Rees-Jones Scout Camp during a monthly third-Thursday event.
The East Texas Arboretum and Botanical Society will be applying funds to provide new commercial-grade outdoor tables for students to sit and learn in the Log Laboratory Gathering Space. The Rotary Club recently helped clean this once-overgrown space during a service day.
With a mission of ‘service above self,’ the Rotary Club of Athens likes being able to recognize these local nonprofit organizations. The Club meets every Thursday at noon at the Athens Country Club, except for the third week of the month, and for more information, visit Facebook.com/AthensTexasRotaryClub.