Ala-Tom RC&D awards $16k in grants
Published 11:26 pm Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Representatives with the Ala-Tom Resource Conservation and Development Council, State Rep. Darrio Melton, State Senator Hank Sanders and area organizations pose with a grant check Tuesday at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library. Among the ten local projects to receive grants were YMCA’s Storytime Enrichment, the Selmont Community Walking Trail and the Orrville Volunteer Fire Department’s Giving Back to Those Who Give.
Smiles and handshakes were shared Tuesday at the Selma-Dallas County Public Library as the Ala-Tom Resource, Conservation and Development Council awarded more than $16,000 in grants to 10 local projects.
A representative of each organization or group spoke at the grant presentation to describe the intent behind the various projects.
They also expressed their appreciation for the council, which is a membership-based nonprofit entity meant to address poverty and help rural communities in nine counties, including Dallas, produce sustainable natural resource-based economies.
“We have an opportunity to make a difference, and that’s what we are about,” said Noopie Cosby, a program developer for the RC&D.
The recipients were the Selma Police Athletic League Afterschool Enrichment, Orrville Volunteer Fire Department’s Giving Back to Those Who Give, the Macedonia Development Center, the Dallas County Family Resource Center, ArtsRevive’s Selma Design Initiative Urban Studio, County Tourism Sheet, Selmont Walking Trail, the YMCA of Selma-Dallas County’s Storytime Enrichment, ArtsRevive’s Tale-Tellin’ and the Leadership Dallas County Adult Retreat.
Ann Murray, CEO of the Dallas YMCA of Selma-Dallas County, said the grant allows her recreational center to purchase best-seller books for its Storytime Enrichment program. The project was designed to enhance the lives of children in day camp and after-school programs.
“Thank you for help,” Murray said. “We bought about 25 new books.”
The grants were made possible through the Alabama Legislature, which has been funding the RC&D’ s efforts to provide for community projects for the past 15 years, Cosby said.
State Sen. Hank Sanders and Rep. Darrio Melton spoke at the grant presentation Tuesday, and talked about what it meant for them to support the council.
Melton discussed how significant it was that the grants be awarded to local projects that have the potential to profit Dallas County in a major way, solving key issues within the area.
“We have to continue to plant these seeds with RC &D, so we can see tangible benefits on the ground,” he said.
