The Foundation of First United Church, 207 West Horah St., recently awarded more than $41,000 in grants to benefit many non-profit community organizations. Established in 1997 through an initial gift of the Edwin Alcorn Family, earnings from the fund are distributed once annually to deserving groups that represent the mission and ministry of First Church.
Following is a list of recent recipients and their intended uses for the awards:
– Catawba College Campus Ministry, represented by students Kendra Joyner, Nathan Wrights and Andrew Hege, $4,000 for spiritual growth retreats/resources.
– Black Lake Retreat Center, represented by board member John Walser, $5,000 for youth camp development and programming.
– United Church Homes and Services, represented by Leigh Anne Groves, development director, $3,000 to purchase courtyard furniture for residents and guests.
– Abundant Living Adult Day Care, represented by Barbara Garwood, executive director, $2,000 for capital campaign fund Drive.
– Center for Faith and the Arts, represented by J. Daniel Brown, executive director, $500 for framing art for display at the center.
– Hood Seminary, represented by Dr. Insook Lee and Dr. Horace Six-Means, $2,000 toward purchase of a mobile instructional lab.
– Rowan County Literacy Council, represented by Phyllis Martin, president, $1,000 for client scholarships.
– Rowan Helping Ministries, represented by Diane Scott, executive director, $4,000 to purchase a new stainless steel refrigerator.
– Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation, represented by Diane Hooper, grants manager, $500 for emergency room care of indigent persons.- Rufty-Holmes Senior Center, represented by Rick Eldridge, executive director, $1,000 for operating budget.
– Lancaster Theological Seminary, represented by Cameron Barr, student participant, $2,800 to help fund the summer leadership academy.
– Meals on Wheels of Rowan, represented by Rita Sims and Gale Prentice, $2,000 to subsidize deficit meal costs for homebound.
– West Rowan Bible Teaching Association, represented by David Zwan, Bible teacher at WRMS, $1,000 for Bible history teacher salary.
First UCC-Salisbury groups receiving grants are:- Christian Education Committee, represented by Jamie Sokolowski and Patti Marion, $7,000 for programming for children/youth; mission trip 2008; and updating Sunday school classrooms.
– Five-Alive Outreach, represented by Ted Cline, chairman, $3,000 for crises assistance in Rowan County.
– First UCC Church Women, represented by Phyllis Little, president, $1,000 for special events/speakers and projects.
– First UCC Landscaping, represented by Dan Dagenhart, foundation treasurer, $400 for beautification of property.
– The Williard Fisher Building Maintenance Fund, represented by Dan Dagenhart, fountation treasurer, $1,000 for perpetual maintenance of church property.
Diane Goodnight is chairman of the foundation. Other members of the committee are Dan Dagenhart, Sandy Wagoner, Greg Alcorn, Mark Sokolowski, Dr. Elmer Lagg, Cindy Hess, Narvie Lee Bonds and the Rev. Michael Childress.