By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

The Ala-Tom Resource Conservation and Development Council celebrated more than $140,000 in grants to 25 recipients Wednesday.

The grants have been awarded over the past two years to several organizations.

RC&D program developer Noopie Cosby said the grants vary in amounts but will have a great impact on the organizations they were awarded to.

Each recipient present offered their gratitude to RC&D and explained how the funds were used.

The recipients of the grants for 2015 and 2016 were:

*Shape It Up!, YMCA of Selma and Dallas County, $2,000, to battle childhood obesity and diabetes

*Selma PAL After School Enrichment Program, Selma Police Athletic League, $5,400, for its after-school outreach program

*Lettuce Raise It, Dallas County Schools, 2,000, for a student gardening program

*Camp Grist Revitalization, $4,003.89, for materials and repairs to cabins

*Support Group for Parents and Abused Children, Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center, $1,600

*Mill Village Community Garden, Black Belt Benefit Group, $4549.84, to buy tractor equipment for gardening

*Leadership Selma Dallas County Youth and Adult, Leadership Selma Dallas County, $3,617.13, to provide leadership training and exposure

*Tale Tellin’ in the Schools, Arts Revive CDC, $5,215.80, to provide storytelling to students

*Fall Farm to Feast, Black Belt Benefit Group, $2,115.80, for classes

*Mandatory Reporter and Internet Safety Training, Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center, $2,115.80, for education series about child abuse

*Old Cahawba Archaeological Park, Cahawba Foundation, Inc., $30,000, for new entrance to the park

*Alzheimer’s Outreach Group, $10,000, for a drone

*The April 1865 Society, Inc, $15,000, for the 150th Anniversary Battle of Selma Reenactment

*Farm Fresh Food Initiative, Christian Outreach Alliance of Dallas County (The Food Pantry), $2,000, to purchase more farm-fresh food

*Something Old, Something New and Something Blue, Orville Volunteer Fire Department, $1,500, for updates to community center

*Southwest Alabama Tourism Initiative in Dallas, University of Alabama Center for Economic Development, $2,000, provide customer service to tourists

*Pathway to Independence, Dallas County Family Resource Center, $1,048.56, to conduct intake interviews

*Earn While You Learn, Dallas County Save- A- Life, $2,000, to offer classes to expectant families

*Tag Machine, Wannabe Rescued, Inc., Dallas County, $4,000, for machine to make tags

*Dallas County High School, $10,000, for baseball field fencing

*Security and Locks Project, Dallas County Board of Education, $5,000, to provide a safer environment for the students

*Jubiliee Committee Bridge Crossing Event, Jubiliee Committee, $10,000, to sponsor event

*Bridge Crossing Event, City of Selma, $5,000, to sponsor event

*SenioRx Program, ATRC, $1,000, help seniors and disabled clients receive prescription drug assistance