IP awards nearly $89,000 to local schools, nonprofits

Published 6:11 pm Friday, December 20, 2019

On Friday, the International Paper Foundation and Riverdale Mill handed out nearly $89,000 in grants to local schools and nonprofit organizations during a luncheon ceremony at Selma High School.

“International Paper believes in investing in people, both our employees and the communities where we live and work,” said Riverdale Mill Manager Jim Bruce. “These grants will help address community needs in our focus areas of education, hunger and health and wellness. We’re confident these organizations and schools will use the funds to impact our community in a positive way.

Among those that received grants Friday was Brantley Elementary School, which received over $3,500 for playground equipment, as well as $1,500 to buy books for the school’s library and $800 for preschool teaching kits.

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Other schools walked away with multiple foundation grants as well, including Edgewood Elementary School, which was awarded $4,650 to purchase books for the school’s reading program and $350 for exercise equipment, and Knox Elementary School, which received $3,000 for classroom books and $2,000 for books and equipment for the school’s performing arts program.

Southside High School was another to walk away with multiple awards – $2,500 to purchase books for the school’s library and another $2,500 to purchase exercise equipment – as was Selma City Schools, which received $4,000 to purchase books for its literary festival and $500 to purchase books and Bristlebot kits, which teach students how to build tiny robots.

The following schools and organizations also received funds from the International Paper Foundation Friday:

• Clark Elementary School received $3,000 for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM kits and books;

• Fathers of St. Edmund received more than $15,000 to go toward food for the weekend breakfast bag program;

• Keith Middle-High School received $3,500 for library books and supplies;

• Martin Middle School received more than $2,000 for books and supplies for its literacy program;

• The McRae-Gaines Learning Center received $1,150 for books and supplies for its reading program;

• Meadowview Elementary School received $5,000 to purchase fitness and playground equipment;

• The Orrville Volunteer Fire Department received $5,800 to purchase two fire suits;

• Payne Elementary School received $2,500 to purchase books;

• School of Discovery received $2,000 to purchase books and reading supplies;

• The Selma Area Food Bank received $5,000 to purchase food for its Brown Bag and Mobile Pantry programs;

• Selma City Strong Start received $1,600 to purchase alphabet puppet sets;

• Selma High School received $10,000 to purchase books and healthy snacks;

• Sophia P. Kingston Elementary School received $2,000 to purchase books;

• Wannabe Rescued received $5,000 to pay for transportation costs.

“We’re proud of the positive impact we can have in our community through the International Paper Foundation grants and volunteer efforts of our employees,” said International Paper Communications Manager Arthur McLean.

The International Paper Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the company – since its inception in 1952, the foundation has provided millions in funding to nonprofit organizations and other deserving entities.