Foundation awards more than $19,000 in grants

NORWALK — The Huron County Community Foundation awarded more than $19,000 in charitable community grants to several Huron County non-profits and schools at the March meeting of its board of directors. Projects awarded fill critical needs, create opportunities for youth and further contribute to a thriving community. The board identified priorities around the youth of the community, whether that be the food that nourishes them and their families or offering art and cultural experiences to expand their world view. Organizations and Projects Awarded in the 2023 Round 1 Grants Cycle: • Hope Restored, abuse prevention program providing CarePacks to domestic violence victims and their children, $3,000• Norwalk Area United Fund, Huron County Imagination Library, providing free, age-appropriate books to children age 0 to 5 years, $2,500• Starting Point Outreach Center, Life Skills for Teens, expanding and enhancing programming for minority and disadvantaged teens to build skills in the areas of healthy living, academic success, life skills, and community service, $1,750• Bellevue City Schools, Certified Academic Language Practitioner (CALP) Training, providing training in structured literacy, addressing high percentages of students reading below expectations, and providing compliance with Ohio HB 436, $2,400• Bellevue Society for the Arts, sponsorship of teen theater production of Disney's Mary Poppins $1,600• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio, Helping Hands - Huron County, supporting a home-away-from-home for Huron County families requiring medical care in central Ohio, $2,500• Christian Day Nursery School, Outdoor Learning, creating an outdoor environment for children to explore what nature has to offer through hands-on experiences, $1,500• South Central Local Schools, AED Access Expansion, making AEDs accessible to during major school gatherings, events, and to our traveling sports teams, $2,000• Citizens Ambulance Service, Training Room Update, Seating and display updates to the community education room, $1,000• Willard Community Improvement Corporation, Willard Dog Park, providing a safe environment for exercise and socialization of dogs and owners at no cost, $766.53Do you want to be part of our grant-making initiative? Donations to the Fund for Huron County are used in our competitive grant making process. Dollars help to address the greatest community needs and opportunities as they emerge. Grant cycles occur twice a year, with applications due Feb. 15 and Aug. 15 annually. Call 419-621-9690 for more information or visit https://www.huronccf.org/ grants. About Huron County Community Foundation Huron County Community Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to enhancing the quality of life of the people of Huron County. In 1997, it was established as an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Lorain County, and in 2021 became its own independent 501(c)(3) community foundation. The mission of Huron County Community Foundation is to improve the quality of life in Huron County now and for generations to come, through charitable giving and by connecting donors to community needs.