May 19, 2011
Community Foundation dishes out $30K in grants
Sue Loughlin
Organizations that house the homeless, help those who suffer from addictions and encourage healthy lifestyles are among several to benefit from nearly $30,000 in Wabash Valley Community Foundation grants.
The foundation awarded $29,210 in community grants to nine nonprofit organizations during a Wednesday luncheon at the Holiday Inn. Twenty area nonprofit organizations were invited to submit full proposals, which were then reviewed by a committee comprised of eight Vigo County residents.
“It’s difficult when we have a lot of requests but not enough money to take care of everybody,” said Richard Vining, the foundation’s distribution committee chairman.
One program that benefited was the Wabash Valley CHIP program, which received $5,000.
CHIP, which stands for coronary health improvement project, is a program that teaches people to improve their health — and reduce risk of chronic diseases — through diet and moderate exercise.
The funding will enable the program to provide scholarships to low- and middle-income individuals so they can participate. Otherwise, the fee is $399 for individuals and $650 per couple.
“It allows people to take the classes that might not be able to do it otherwise because of the cost,” said Karen Cunningham, program co-coordinator.
Freebirds Solution Center, which assists those recovering from alcohol and drug addictions, received $4,000 to replace windows and frames in one dormitory room, part of a larger project to replace windows. The new windows “will add to the comfort of residents and the beauty of the building,” said Teri Evans, Freebirds executive director.
Freebirds is located in the former Greenwood School in Terre Haute.
The Terre Haute Children’s Museum received $1,120 to support the Indiana State University Center for Mathematics Education “Go Figure” math program.
“The whole idea of the program is to make math fun,” said Lynn Hughes, the museum’s executive director. “So many kids are struggling in math and science, and the goal of this program is to show them that math and science are fun and in everything they do, including sports, cooking and racing.”
The program has been offered three times, and it will be offered again next fall and next spring.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.