Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Stepanie Walker, president of the Greater Brewton Foundation organization, recently provided information on grants that have been awarded following the annual grant review meeting held each November.

As a result, 27 area non-profits were awarded grants amounting to more than $145,000.   

As a community foundation, the Greater Brewton Foundation recognizes the important role of non-profits in improving the quality of life for area residents.

“In a year like 2020, this is especially critical work,” Walker said. “Fundraising for many non-profits has been difficult during the pandemic.  Large-scale in person fundraisers were off-limits, and virtual events were less effective as supporters became concerned about their own financial futures.”

The Greater Brewton Foundation was pleased to send a clear message of support to each non-profit by funding their requests.  These are the projects that move us forward as a community.

Next up on the agenda for GBF will be college scholarship applications that should be available in January 2021 at the Trustmark Trust office on Belleville Avenue. The Foundation is the home for a number of memorial scholarships named for: Curtis Glaize, Shane Prater, Evelyn Byrd Patton, and Nannie Hainje.  There is also one scholarship in honor of E.O. Wilson and another established by T.R. Miller High School.  Deadline for scholarship applications is March 1.

Grants awarded for 2020 include:

Education

1.   T.R. Miller High School : Librarian—Purchase MacBook Air laptop  for the circulation program and Reading Counts!

2.   W.S. Neal Middle School: Purchase Sphero Bolt Power Pack which includes 15 bolt robots, charging cradles, covers for each with additional tools and resources;

3.   W.S. Neal High School: a) partial funding for a copier lease; b) partial funding to finish the weight room– replacing out of date equipment

4.  Turtle Point Science Center: Purchase a) one large sign, b) raised bed garden kits that will grow food to feed the live animals at the center and c) new lighting for the live animal tanks–important to the health of animals who are not exposed to the sun.

5.   Coastal Alabama Community College: Purchase an AED for Brewton campus

Government

6. Brewton Public Library-funding for purchase of books ;

7.  Brewton City/Chamber: Christmas Project gifts for elderly, handicapped and children ages 3-14;

8.   Brewton City: Tree and Beautification Board expanding flower beds along St. Joseph Ave  and resurfacing sidewalks;

9.   East Brewton Sports: Create additional batting cages with covered roof that can be utilized at all times.

Healthcare Organizations

10.   Ozanam Charitable Pharmacy: The goal of this organization is to keep patients out of the ER and connected to their life-sustaining medicine.   Last year 165 patients (2878 perscro[topms) received drugs at a cost of $119,520 (total budget) and connected 44 patients needing 166 prescriptions directly with the Access your RX  (Retail cost $359,978);
11.   Wheels of Wellness: The Healthcare Authority program transports patients to Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Pensacola for proper medical care. 210 patients were transported 15,750 miles ($35,500 operating budget);

12. Dr. LoDuca’s Reach Out and Read program: Purchase appropriate books for pediatric patients at each well child visit.  The state organization gets books from Scholastic at a reduced price. Total budget $5,000;

Food

13.   Community Action Agency: To help needy families by offering food distribution or Food Gift cards;

14. Community Enabled: Food pantry to help less fortunate with nutrition needs—bulk of their clients are over 60 years old. Operating costs are low because of volunteer staff. Their new space also allows for clothes closet and the ability to reach more people.  Serving 900 people a month;

Safety

15. Escambia County Fire & Rescue Squad: Pay for upkeep on the boat and equipment in the boat;

16.   Appleton Volunteer Fire Department: Replace two outdated AED’s (They can’t get pads or batteries for the old AED’s they have now.)

17. McCall Volunteer Fire Department: Replace twelve outdated warning lights on three vehicles;

18.   Escambia County Regional Child Advocacy Center: To purchase printed materials used with children for child abuse prevention and community awareness about this issue.

Other Non-Profits

19.   American Red Cross: Responded to 30 fires, helping 99 clients and spending $21,411 on direct assistance—approximately $700 per family;

20.  Christian Community Benevolent Fund: Assisted 436 people with medical, utilities, housing and food.  Total budget $67,485

21.Communities of Transformation: Goal is to help move families towards self-sufficiency by providing, counseling, classes and mentorship; Focusing on financial, relational, intellectual, physical and spiritual growth. Funds would help provide Think Tank curriculum, supplies, and childcare.

22.  Habitat for Humanity: Plans are on the table to build a new home which will cost approximately $65,000. The last year has also seen the renovation of several homes for elderly citizens and support for an original Habitat homeowner to connect with Hardest Hit Alabama.

23.    John L. Fisher Community Center: Provide summer activities for children K-Sixth grade. These funds are used to purchase supplies for activities and to pay for increased utility costs for air conditioners.

24. Paws Crossed Rescue: Grant would help fund spay/neuter expenses (from 4 different clinics) Costs at one clinic for all of 2019 were $13,109.  Fundraisers have been limited by COVID this year.

25. Phi Delta Kappa (Brewton chapter): This group mentors high school students to prepare them for college and for service in the community, does special activities for the VOA group home. They also provide workshops for students.  Funds would be used for supplies that support their programs.

26. PROS Inc. (Parents reclaiming our sons): This is the secoond year for Rev. Thames’s mentoring program for young boys.  He began last year working with boys 10-14 who meet monthly for classes & service projects.  This year he is adding programs for the next two  age groups—boys 15-18 and young men ages 19-35.  His programs will focus on etiquette, professionalism, gun safety, employment readiness, technology and teamwork.  Funding would be used to pay for books, equipment, field trips and supplies.

27. YMCA: A. This grant would support the youth sports program which maintains affordable registration. fees for families, financial assistance for families who can’t afford fees and quality. The goal is to help our youth develop strong character, build team spirit, and improve physical fitness; B. grant to support the finishing of the Babe Ruth field