Ashland Rotary foundation announces community grants

Staff reports

The Ashland Rotary Community Support Foundation recently announced grants to community-based organizations that provide services to needy children, families and seniors. In 2005, nearly $18,000 was awarded to the following organizations:

• $4,500 for Drug Awareness and Prevention Programs, to fund drug prevention programs through SODA (Southern Ore-gon Drug Awareness), and Ash-land High School’s Natural Helpers and Peer Jury programs.

• $3,000 awarded to ScienceWorks Museum, to fund programs and interactive exhibits that encourage children and adults to learn about more about science and various scientific principles.

• $1,500 awarded to Ashland Family YMCA, to scholarship programs and memberships for needy children, teens, families and seniors.

• $900 awarded to Rogue Valley Symphony, to fund student concerts at Ashland Public Schools in 2005-2006.

• $4,000 awarded to Ashland Schools Foundation, to support programs that foster quality education in the Ashland public schools.

• $1,000 awarded to Community Works in support of the Lithia Springs Program, a nurturing and educational therapeutic environment that promotes personal growth and healing for youth with behavioral and emotional problems and their families.

• $250 awarded to the Special Olympics, to support sport training and athletic competition in the Rogue Valley to individuals with intellectual disabilities.

• $500 awarded to the Community Health Center in support of programs that promote the health of low-income, working uninsured, and other vulnerable adults and children in Ashland.

• $1,000 awarded to Access Inc. in support of emergency food assistance, affordable housing, and energy and weatherization programs for needy seniors and families.

• $250 awarded to Jackson County Fuel Committee, in support of programs to assist low-income households with heating and cooling energy costs.

• $250 awarded to Southern Oregon University Raiders Club, in support of programs that directly benefit Raider student-athletes in the form of financial aid.

• $250 awarded to the Ashland Community Hospital Foundation to assist, encourage, promote and advance the quality of medical and surgical care and treatment by Ashland Community Hospital for residents of Ashland and Talent.

The Ashland Rotary Community Support Foundation will consider grant requests for next year in May of 2006. Organizations who wish to apply for funds and who work to improve the lives of children, seniors, families and the less-fortunate in our community are encouraged to apply. Please send a letter outlining your request, and its purpose(s), by April 15, 2006, to Ashland Rotary Community Support Foundation, PO Box 511, Ashland, OR 97520.