Seven nonprofit organizations within the Bandera Electric Cooperative service territory recently received $36,992 in BEC Foundation grants for the first quarter grant cycle.
From left: BEC Foundation Treasurer, Jennifer Curlee; Bandera County Public Library Board Member Evelyn Rostad; Bandera Chamber of Commerce Representative, Randy Rostad; Library Director, Mauri Guillen Fagan; Library Board Treasurer, Traci Bellis; Library Board Member, Barbara Maxwell; Library Board Vice President, Fran Laue; and BEC Foundation Chairman, Toba Wright.
Bandera County Public Library received a $2,752 grant to upgrade and replace aging computers to expand the library’s technology education programming for multiple age groups.
“The new computers will be primarily used by our Girls Who Code club, the Book-A-Librarian program, and the New Basic Computer Education Class for Seniors,” said Mauri Guillen Fagan, Bandera Public Library director. “We are so grateful for BEC’s generous support of the community and our library.”
Hill Country Samaritans received a $5,000 grant to purchase backpacks and school supplies for their annual Back to School Bash. The event provides students of Bandera County with backpacks, school supplies, health services, haircuts and more.
“Our organization has had the consistent support of the BEC Foundation, who has been a major financial contributor to the success of this endeavor,” said Bill Beedle, Hill Country Samaritans president. “As such, BEC has been, and continues to be, a huge blessing to the children and families of Bandera County. We are so thankful for the ongoing partnership and support.”
Silver Sage received a $5,000 grant to assist with kitchen upgrades for their Meals on Wheels program. The Meals on Wheels program began in 1984 serving 21 meals per day but has since grown to serve more than 300 meals per day.
Back row from left: Alkek PTO Vice President, Chelsea Waite; President, Autumn Branscome; Member, Travis Caza; and Secretary, Katie Blue with BEC Foundation Treasurer Jennifer Curlee and Chairman, Toba Wright. Front row from left: Mollie Waite, TJ McLaren, Kingsley Branscome, Kimber Blue, Harrison Waite, Barrett Blue , Walker Branscome, Makayla Wright, Abigail Wright
The Alkek Elementary Parent Teacher Organization received a $9,000 grant towards the purchase of new playground equipment to replace older equipment that is out of compliance.
“Our playground is more than 20 years old, and a new structure will provide more slides and activities for our more than 600 students who use it daily to enhance their physical fitness and playtime,” said Travis Caza, Alkek PTO representative. “Fun is difficult to measure, but the smiles on their faces will speak volumes.”
Lakehills Area Library received a $3,016 grant to support their summer reading program with professional entertainers, marketing materials, and crafting supplies for the nine-week program.
“The summer reading program provides an incentive for parents to use the library during the summer months to keep children reading in between school years so they do not fall behind in their studies,” said Dianna Landes, Lakehills Area Library director.
Snac Pac 4 Kids received a $5,724 grant to fund supplemental weekend food for low-income elementary school children.
“Hunger does not take the weekend off, and neither do we,” said Susan Freeman, Snac Pac 4 Kids co-chair. “Our goal is to help as many children as possible during 34 weekends of the school year.”
Day 1 Bags received a $6,500 grant to provide local graduating seniors in the foster care program with a care set and graduation gift.
“Graduating is a huge accomplishment considering only 47% of foster youth finish high school,” said Hunter Beaton, Day 1 Bags founder. “This donation will help us meet our goal of providing a high-quality, thoughtful graduation gift set affirming our belief in the students and celebrating their accomplishment.”
The BEC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of BEC. The BEC Foundation board awards grants based on its charitable giving guidelines and predetermined criteria. The foundation accepts grant applications on a quarterly basis, the next grant application deadline is June 1. For information and eligibility requirements, visit BanderaElectric.com/Giving.