LOCAL

Glenn Foundation announces 2019 grants

Special to The Gazette

Twenty-six organizations serving Gaston County will benefit from grants of $300,000 announced by The Carrie E. and Lena V. Glenn Foundation. The latest awards bring the foundation’s contributions to area nonprofits to almost $8.54 million since 1972.

Grants ranged from $2,300 to Crowders Ridge Camp for new windows for the Glenn Sisters Bunkhouse to $25,000 for the Dream Center Academy and the Warlick Family YMCA. TechWorks Gaston was a first-time grant recipient, receiving a grant of $20,000.

“Thanks to the very generous grant from The Glenn Foundation, TechWorks Gaston was able to fully upfit our new Technology Academy with the hardware, software, and mobile devices needed to deliver technology education and training for ages 6 to senior adulthood," said Terry Cox, executive director of TechWorks Gaston. “The TechWorks Technology Academy will offer innovative education approaches, enablement of in-demand tech skills, provide needed certification testing services, and expand digital engagement at home and at work for all Gaston residents."

 Other grants will fund school supplies for children in need, medications for uninsured residents, literacy programs for children, leadership development, building and home repairs, environmental education and training, medication assistance for cancer and heart patients, beds for children in foster care and public restrooms at the Rotary Pavilion.

“It was an honor for the board of directors of the Glenn Foundation to read the grant requests of organizations that are helping Gaston County residents,” said Charles Pearson, board chairperson. "We are confident that the resources made available this year by the generosity of the Glenn sisters are being used in many ways to make our community better."

The Carrie E. & Lena V. Glenn Foundation is a private foundation created from the estates of two Gaston County sisters, one a teacher and one a librarian. The nine member board of directors includes Richard Blackburn, CaroMont Health; Tyler Bullock, Gaston County Schools; David Christy, First United Methodist Church; Ann Davis, retired, Gaston Hospice; Jennifer Davis, Jennifer P. Davis and Associates; Charles Pearson, Pearson Properties; David Rogers, retired, McCannon, Rogers, and Driscoll; Gregory Sellers, Spectrum Consulting, Inc.; and Lauren Vanacore, First Presbyterian Church.

The foundation sponsors a grant cycle once a year with a deadline of March 1. Grant applications must be requested through the Contact Us page on the Foundation’s website at www.theglennfoundation.org. For questions or additional information, contact executive director Laura Lineberger at 704-867-0296.

Grant recipients include:

 Cancer Services of Gaston County: Patient assistance program, $20,000

Carolina Cross Connection: Home repair program, $8,000

Catawba Riverkeeper Foundation: Pollution response and prevention, $5,000

Catherine's House: Transitional housing program, $10,000

Children's Home Society of North Carolina: Child-focused recruitment: $20,000

City of Belmont: TechWorks of Gaston County: $20,000

Classroom Central: STEM supplies for students in need, $10,000

Crisis Assistance Ministry: Emergency food pantry, $10,000

Crowders Ridge Camp: Window project for Glenn bunkhouse, $2,300

Dream Center of Gaston County: Dream Center Academy:, $25,000

Family Promise of Gaston County: Interfaith Hospitality Shelter Program, $15,000

Gaston County DHHS/Social Services: Foster family recruitment events: $12,500

Gaston County Family YMCA: Warlick Family Y Capital Campaign, $25,000

Gaston Literacy Council: Reading Soul Mates, $15,000

Gaston School of the Arts: Arts for All program, $10,850

Gaston Together: Civic engagement leadership, $12,000

Heart Society of Gaston County: Medication assistance, $7,500

Keep Gastonia Beautiful: BEE of Change program, $5,000

Least of These Carolinas: Beds of Hope, $6,000

Least of These Carolinas: Bridge Camp, $8,000

NcMedAssist: Mobile Free Pharmacy Giveaway Day, $5,000

North Carolina Wildlife Federation: Great Outdoors University, $7,500

Rotary Foundation of Gaston County: Public restrooms at Rotary Pavilion, $10,000

Special Olympics North Carolina: Special Olympics Gaston County, $5,000

The Salvation Army: Center for Hope, $16,850

Webb Street School: Aquaponics gardening, $8,500