Eight local nonprofits received grants at the Exchange Club of Columbus’ weekly meeting at Lion Hills Center Thursday.
Representatives from each organization, which ranged from children’s after school tutoring programs to shelters for victims of domestic violence, attended the luncheon to mingle with Exchange members and receive their checks. Each representative also spoke briefly about their organization’s mission and what kind of programs the grant money would support.
“I just want to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all the hard work you did this year,” outgoing president Fred Kinder told the club. “The board was able to give out right at $8,800 … which is about $2,500 over the year before.”
The club raises money throughout the year while also recommending nonprofits to receive the yearly grants, club president Ann Marie Langford said. To qualify, organizations must complete an application that includes financial information proving nonprofit status, and the club’s board then selects grant recipients.
The organizations to receive this year’s grants included Boy Scouts Troop 1 of the Pushmataha Area Council, Camp Rising Sun, the Columbus Arts Council, Father’s Child Ministry, HEARTS After-School Tutoring, My Book, Safe Haven and Golden Triangle Outdoors.
Golden Triangle Outdoors, which coordinates outdoor programs for people with special needs, was a first-time recipient.
The other organizations have all received support from Exchange Club before, Langford said, particularly Camp Rising Sun, a free summer camp for children with cancer. Exchange Club sends volunteers and other donations each year when the camp is in session.
Other recipients include a Christian organization, which provides mentoring and counseling services to at-risk children, in Father’s Child Ministry. HEARTS After-School Tutoring is a local tutoring program. My Book provides books to local elementary and middle schools and recruits volunteers to read to children in those schools. Safe Haven provides temporary shelter to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
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