SHELBY, Ohio – The Shelby Foundation Board of Directors made the holidays a little brighter for area nonprofit organizations by approving over $43,000 in grants at the December Board meeting.
Auburn Elementary School received a $1,000 grant to defray the costs of its “Learn to Swim at the Y” program which would otherwise be passed on to the parents of participating children. Second grade students are offered the opportunity to participate in this program at the Shelby YMCA where they will learn basic swimming skills, water safety, the importance of exercise, and the need for healthy lifestyle.
Dowds Elementary School received a $1,000 grant for its “Tablets without Pencils” program to to purchase additional Chromebooks. Chromebooks are inexpensive, online-enabled computers. Digital learning exposes students to real life situations, collaboration and the embracement of technology. This grant was funded by the Karl and Maxine Giller Educational Donor Advised Fund.
First Lutheran Church Food Pantry received a $600 grant to offset costs from the Mobile Food Pantry Bank from the Cleveland Food Bank. The goal is to provide needy families with the widest range of nutritious foods possible. The Mobile Food Pantry provisions extend beyond regular Food Bank deliveries, offering items like fresh produce that are not typically provided.
Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio received $5,450 grant for JA programs in Shelby City Schools. JA teaches youth to be successful by using educational programs that focus on workforce readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy. Teachers who partner with JA receive an experiential in-class learning experience. This grant was funded by the Angela Phillips Donor Advised Fund.
North Central State College Foundation received a $10,000 grant to assist with the purchase of a Haas Computer Numerical Controlled Lathe for the N.C.S.C. Manufacturing Technology and CNC Certificate programs and non-credit workforce development and apprenticeship training. The equipment is used in many fundamental machining processes widely used by manufactures in the region.
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center received a $2,896 grant for Auburn Elementary Therapeutic Riding Scholarships. This grant will provide children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in therapeutic horseback riding programs. Therapeutic riding uses the process of learning to ride and the movements of the horse to strengthen primary body control and sequencing.
Rotary Club of Shelby received a $975 grant to provide a reserve of scarves, gloves, and hats for elementary schools within the Shelby City school district as part of the Rotaries’ community service project, “Warmth for Winter.” The supply of warm items will be on hand for teachers, staff, or administrators to give to students who are in need of any or all items in a subtle matter. This grant was funded by the Reynolds Family Memorial Donor Advised Fund.
Shelby Help Line Ministries received a $3,500 grant to purchase winter coats. With proof of Shelby residency, approximately 300 people come through Shelby Help Line’s Clothing Ministry each month. Records are kept to insure only one winter coat is given out to each adult or child in need. Shelby Help Line plans to purchase 100 winter coats with the grant from The Shelby Foundation.
Shelby Middle School received a $5,000 grant for the Eighth Grade Class Trip to Washington D.C. The goal is to provide the students with the chance to visit our nation’s capital, and, in turn, have the opportunity to gain an entirely different perspective on history, science, math, literature, music, and the arts. In essence this trip will be like stepping into a book, but our students will be a part of the text and they will experience education from an unparalleled perspective.
Shelby Safety Town, a safety program for kindergarten age children, received $1,000 grant. While pedestrian and traffic safety are emphasized in the Safety Town program, other important lessons for pre-school age children have also been incorporated to provide a well-rounded safety “primer” for these children regarding dangers present in everyday situations and to foster a spirit of good citizenship and etiquette at an early age.
The Shelby Whippet Marching Band received a $6,000 grant to purchase new uniforms. The Shelby Whippet Marching Band is currently running a campaign to purchase 150 new uniforms that include jackets, pants, hats, plumes, hat boxes, and garment bags. The current uniforms were purchased in 1993, and have been used steadily for the past 21 years. This grant was funded by The Shelby Foundation and the Curry Family Community Donor Advised Fund.
Shelby Whippet Theatre received a $5,000 grant to purchase audio and visual equipment. This grant will allow for the purchase of communication headsets, wireless microphones, keyboards and an orchestra/backstage camera.
Jill Wheeler, registered nurse, was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the Wanda June Humphrey Nursing Scholarship Fund. The Wanda June Humphrey Nursing Scholarship was established in 2009 by Ms. Humphrey to help registered nurses to further their education.
The Shelby Foundation is a nonprofit organization that gives back to Shelby’s community and surrounding areas by providing donors an opportunity to positively impact Shelby’s future. It makes it as easy as possible for people to use their money to help this community. The Shelby Foundation simplifies it for you by handling the necessary filings, managing, investing and growing your money and making disbursements at your direction. This year alone, the Foundation has awarded over $250,000 to area organizations and schools to expand programs, enhance arts, culture and humanities, and support improved health and welfare services.
To become a donor or for more information about The Shelby Foundation, contact Carrie Kemerer, director, at 419-342-3686 or email to: carrie@theshelbyfoundation.org or visit www.theshelbyfoundation.org.
