2012-13 Community Development Grants

Thanks to Joan Paul and the Community Development Committee. After reviewing the proposals received, they recommended and the Board approved Morning Star 2012-13 grants to the following organizations:

LEHIGH VALLEY CHILDREN'S CENTER (Pre-K) ~ $1,300 funding for scholarship support (infants through school age) available to low-income families without the ability to pay for high quality care.

TURNING POINT OF LEHIGH VALLEY (At-Risk Children) ~ $1,000 for books to be used and given to children (infant to 13) living in their Safe House.

CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY (Cancer Youth) ~ $1,000 for 4-weekly sessions of horse-assisted therapy for 8 local children.  

YWCA OF BETHLEHEM (Technology) ~ $1,000 for TechGYRLS, an after-school technology program for low-to-moderate income elementary and middle school girls to learn web design, animation, video game and robot design.  

WDIY 88.1 LEHIGH VALLEY COMMUNITY PUBLIC RADIO (All Ages) ~ $850 for the Annual Poetry Project in April 2013.  

The successful recipients will be contacted regarding the award and our expectations to work together in the coming year.  My letter will outline (1) the approved award amount, the Morning Star contact person for the coming year, the need to schedule a Morning Star Rotary program, and the volunteer participation opportunities (5-10K, Salute to the Troops, Spaghetti Dinner, other?) to work with us this coming year.  

And in early September, we'll plan how we're going to tackle the greater question of what role MSR really wants to play in providing financial support to worthy charitable organizations.