Lenoir Community Foundation supports diverse groups

Six groups recently received financial boosts in their efforts to improve the quality of life for a variety of aspects in Lenoir County.

The Lenoir County Community Foundation has awarded grants from its community fund to Southeast Elementary School, the Community Council for the Arts, Friends of the Kinston-Lenoir County Public Library, the SPCA, the Lenoir County chapter of the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

"We extremely appreciate the Foundation's generosity," Southeast Principal Felicia Solomon said. "We are looking forward to our children having the opportunity to learn through out-of-the community activities."

The grant is awarded to fourth-grade students and allows them to visit educational activities and exhibits which enrich their total knowledge of the world around them. Brenda Griffin applied for the grant.

The Community Council for the Arts will use its grant to help purchase replacement equipment for the arts council.

The Friends of the Library grant will be used to help in the 2009-2010 Big Read literacy program. The SPCA grant will be used to help in the spaying/neutering program.

The Lenoir County Red Cross will use its grant to purchase a Global Positioning System for Disaster Response.

"Our people are out looking specific locations both day and night during times of disasters," White said. "Often there is no one to ask where the location is and at times we respond to dangerous locations.  This equipment will improve response time and safety as we perform our duties. We are greatly appreciative of the Foundation's donation to this community effort."

The Foundation welcomed new Salvation Army leaders, majors Robin and Pamela Starr, to Kinston with the award of a $1,000 grant to provide for services in the summer program. Pat Rhodes, director of operations, had applied for the grant to enhance offerings to the youth of the community.

"This grant will truly enhance the volunteer youth program and keep the young adults off the street and in a productive and safe environment," Rhodes said.

Grants are distributed annually in May or June to help local charitable organizations meet some specific need for the year. Applications for the grants can be obtained from Marilyn Gibson at mbgibson@suddenlink.net. Notification of when the grant process begins is published in The Free Press.

The North Carolina Community Foundation and the Lenoir County Community Foundation are recognized leaders in philanthropy locally and across the state. Working together, these foundations are able to expand charitable giving, strengthen nonprofits and enhance the vitality of communities across the state.

Nancy S. Saunders can be reached at (252) 559-1079 or nsaunders@freedomenc.com.