Non-profit groups apply for Town grants
Thirteen nonprofits applied for grants during a workshop for the Board of Mayor and Aldermen April 7.
While money will not be granted to them for fiscal year 2016/2017 until BOMA approves a budget for that year, the event gave the organizations an opportunity to present their cases to the Aldermen.
The total amount of money requested was $89,885.
Kandis Burney, executive director, spoke for the Autism Society of East Tennessee and requested a grant of $3,000. Her group puts together activities for people with autism as well as their parents, and did not apply for any grants this year.
R.E. Foust represented the Knoxville Volunteer Emergency Rescue Squad. He asked for $5,000 next year.
“In Farragut, we estimate we have responded to at least 20 automobile accidents per month,” he said.
Elaine Streno, executive director of Second Harvest Food Bank, requested $2,385 to support a program to provide food for children at Farragut Primary and Farragut Intermediate schools.
Celia Gruzalzki, assistant director of Concord Day Enrichment Services requested $5,000, an increase of $2,000 from this year. She is seeking money to provide scholarships to people who have early onset Alzheimer’s but cannot afford the $62 charge per day for people in her day programs.
Karen Wooten requested $15,000 for Dogwood Arts, which would be an increase of $5,000 from this year. The funding increase would lead to a new sculpture to be displayed in Farragut as part of the Art in Public Places program.
Jerry Martin requested $10,000 for Farragut High School Foundation, the same amount as last year. The FHS foundation secures funding to support cutting-edge programs and resources to ensure FHS students reach their greatest potential.
Gary Rowcliffe. president of the Hardin Valley Academy Education Foundation, requested $10,000, the same amount received this year. He said priorities for spending the money included advanced placement and honors training for teachers and the language lab.
Ariel Allen, board member of Keep Knoxville Beautiful, requested $1,000, the same amount as this year. She said the money would pay for the green miles program and trash runs, cleanup supplies to lend to other groups and a recycling truck to lend for private or public events.
Colin Cumesty requested $3,000, $1,000 more than this year for the Knox County Fire Prevention Bureau. He said it would fund the annual Fall Fire Prevention Festival, the replacement of equipment including the generator on the events trailer, educational handout supplies and batteries to give away for smoke detectors.
Buck Jones represented Knoxville News Sentinel Chari-ties and requested $21,500, the same amount as this year. He talked about the News Sentinel Open at Fox Den Country Club. He said the event “has close to $1 million now to run it, but is putting more than $100,000 back into charities in the area.”
Andrew Wentzel, Knoxville Opera board member, requested $5,000, $3,000 more than this year. He said he would continue to bring educational programs to Farragut’s schools and community centers.
Melaine O’Dowd, executive director of Sunshine Ambass-adors requested $2,000, $1,000 more than last year for her group. Sunshine Ambassadors is a dance class for individuals living with disabilities.
Dr. Ric Best requested $2,000 for Tennessee Wind Symphony, the same as this year. He said his group would continue to perform at Farragut schools and community locations.
