The Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore, Inc. has awarded a series of Community Needs grants totaling $54,372 which were distributed recently to 15 government and nonprofit organizations in the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The grants will benefit – either directly or indirectly – the residents of the region, and are being awarded this fall from the Foundation’s Community Needs Funds. The next deadline for qualified nonprofit organizations to apply for the second round of community needs grants during the 2010 fiscal year is February 1st.
“As the population of our area continues to grow, so do the needs of the nonprofit organizations serving our region,” said Spicer Bell, the Foundation’s President. “To help meet needs throughout Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties, we are pleased and excited to be able to help fund these worthwhile programs,” he added.
Grants in this cycle were awarded to the following nonprofits.
For the Environment:
Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art (Wicomico) to support the development of a monthly club that will bring together families for outdoor activities at the Ward Museum and partnering sites.
Assateague Coastal Trust, Inc. (Worcester) to purchase the necessary equipment for the Trust’s COASTKEEPER’S ongoing water quality monitoring program.
For Health and Human Services:
Hudson Health Services, Inc. at the Hudson Center (Wicomico) to provide support for a variety of media and marketing activities to increase awareness of the Center’s programs and services.
Atlantic General Hospital (Worcester) to provide support for the purchase of a portable bone ultrasonometer for use at monthly community health fairs and other events.
Blind Industries and Services of Maryland (Wicomico) to outfit the VIP Senior Center with a computer lab and assistive technologies.
McCready Foundation (Somerset) to purchase a specialized table that will allow for the proper and effective treatment of patients with lymphedema.
For Historic Preservation:
Somerset County Library (Somerset) to implement a digital storytelling program at the Princess Anne and Crisfield Libraries. The program focuses on local history and culture.
Worcester County Library (Worcester) to implement a digital storytelling program that will focus on local history and culture. The program is going to be developed in partnership with the Somerset County Library System.
For Youth:
Worcester Youth & Family Counseling Services, Inc. (Worcester) to replicate the highly effective SAGES (Strengthening Adolescent Girls with Education and Support) program, which currently operates at the Berlin site, to the WY&FCS office in Pocomoke.
University of Maryland Eastern Shore (Somerset) to establish a chess club for Somerset County High School students.
Del-Mar-Va Council Boy Scouts of America (Wicomico) to provide support for four sites that are implementing scouting programs for at-risk youth in the Salisbury area.
Dove Pointe Foundation, Inc. (Wicomico) to provide support for the purchase of assistive technology for the Dove Pointe daycare and after school program for children with disabilities.
For Community Development:
MAC, Inc., establish a task force to initiate the development of the Eastern Shore Creative Retirement Network, a one-stop place for older adults who wish to engage in a variety of activities including life long learning, leadership, advocacy, service, research and economic development.