Angels Camp, CA…The Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) has awarded thirteen (13) competitive grants for 2017. The combined total of these grants equals over $71,000. The four initiatives for 2017 were: Aging in Place for Seniors, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), County Youth, and Community Enrichment.

Calaveras County’s aging senior population received $34,613 divided between six groups. Funds from the San Francisco Foundation, in memory of Lloyd Federlein, made this possible. Common Ground Senior Services’ Meals-on-Wheels will continue to provide seniors with a delivered meal; Good Samaritan Neighbor to Neighbor Food Pantry in Valley Springs provides food on a weekly basis; Murphys Senior Center’s “Lunch and Learn” provides free lunches and educates participants on important topics; Sierra Hope in Angels Camp, will increase the frequency of their food distribution; Tri-Dam Lions Club in Valley Springs will repair floors at the Burson Hall for senior safety; Copperopolis Food Pantry can now make a larger variety of food available to their senior community.

Two projects dealing with the STEM initiative were granted funding in the amount of $10,655. Jackson Rancheria Casino & Hotel Community Fund contributed to this award. Toyon Middle School’s project “Dreaming of a Makerspace” will allow students exposure to many kinds of technological tools used daily in industry today; Gardens to Grow In’s “STEM through Agriculture” creates an outdoor learning space where all 4 elements of STEM education are explored and will be available all K-12 students in Calaveras Unified School District.

The County Youth initiative resulted in an award of $6,720. for Friends of Railroad Flat School. The County Youth Donor Advised Fund contributed to this project. The purchase of violins and beginning lessons open to Railroad Flat, West Point and Mokelumne Hill students will enrich their lives and benefit their development and on-going education.

Four projects from the Community Enrichment Initiative were awarded a total of $19,015. Gold Rush Writer’s Conference this year will implement a Saturday evening headline speaker for Calaveras County writers only; Murphys Old Time Museum’s “Catalogue the Collection” project will document the many artifacts the Museum has in their archives; Manzanita Writers Press, Angels Camp, will gather stories and memories of County seniors resulting in a publication “Voices of Wisdom”; Arnold Lions have taken on the rehab and upgrading of the Three Senses Trail in Calaveras Big Trees State Park. Grant funds will be allocated to create the Touching Garden to be located near the Visitor’s Center.

CCF is most grateful to all our donors for their generosity and desire to help fund worthwhile and innovative projects here in our local communities. Since it’s inception in 2000, CCF has provided over $1,400,000 in competitive grants, scholarships and assistance. To learn more about CCF, call (209) 736-1845 or visit CCF’s website: www.calaverasfoundation.org.