SEVEN GRANTS AWARDED BY SRE TRUST

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(Barnesville – July 11, 2007) The Southern Rivers Energy Trust recently awarded seven grants totaling $26,690 to the following organizations: Christian Women’s Center in Griffin; Compassion Care Community Services, Inc. in Milner; Ferst Foundation of Lamar County in Barnesville; Flint River Council, Inc. #95 Boy Scouts of America in Griffin; Gordon College Foundation in Barnesville; Monroe Crossroads Academy in Forsyth; and St. George’s Episcopal School in Milner.    

The Christian Women’s Center located in Griffin is a crisis center for women and children providing food, shelter, child care and work training programs until the women can find housing of their own or resolve their crises.  The Center also runs a thrift store that provides job training for some of the women as well as revenue that helps cover operating costs.  They received $5000 from the Trust for repair and replacement of flooring in the main building of the old school where the center is housed.  Fiscal Assistant, Kim Ward and Training Program Student, Samantha Brannon accepted the check on behalf of the Center.

Compassion Care Community Services currently provides healthcare services, summer camp and after school programs in Milner and is in the process of applying for a state issued child care license.  Prior to 2006 they operated under an exemption issued by the state but are now required to seek licensure in order to offer any child care services.  The Trust awarded President/CEO, Paul Stinson $3000 for structural improvements needed for obtaining this license.  Compassion Care will be the first licensed child care provider in the town of Milner.

Ferst Foundation of Lamar County is a childhood literacy program aimed at providing children ages birth to five years with free books.  Founder Robin Ferst of Madison, GA created the program based on Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library project.  The Ferst Foundation’s mission statement reads: “Provide books for local communities to prepare all Georgia preschool children for reading and learning success."  There are 42 Georgia counties currently participating in the program, including Lamar thanks to Lamar County Family Connection Collaborative.  Family Connection Coordinator, Kim Coursey and Community Action Team Volunteer, Linda Brutz accepted a $5000 grant from the SRE Trust for this project.

The District served by Flint River Council, Inc., Boy Scouts of America covers eight counties including Butts, Coweta, Fayette, Henry, Lamar, Pike, Spalding and Upson.  Flint River Council is located in Griffin and holds recruitment drives in each county it serves.  The SRE Trust awarded the Council $5000 to go toward a new membership campaign aimed at involving parents of potential scouts in order to strengthen the program and its leadership.  Finance Director, Crissy Humble accepted the grant on behalf of the Council.

Gordon College Foundation received $5000 for a SimMan Peripheral Kit and compressor to operate a “SimMan” or instructional dummy used in their nursing program.  This dummy can be programmed with real life ailments and symptoms to teach nursing students during clinical studies.  The check was presented to Assistant Professor of Nursing, Samantha Bishop.

Rayceen King, Principal of Monroe Crossroads Academy in Forsyth recently received $1190 from the Trust.  These funds will allow approximately 55 students to participate in the outdoor challenge course that teaches trust helps children bond through non-traditional games and outdoor fun.  Crossroads provides alternative school services for students in grades 6 through 12 who are considered at risk of not completing the requirements of high school graduation.  Their mission is “to motivate and support each student academically, socially and emotionally in a safe and caring environment so they can achieve their fullest potential and become world class citizens.”

Eileen Ogletree, Director of Development at St. George’s Episcopal School (SGES) in Milner received $2500 for the school’s financial aid program.  SGES is an independent school serving close to 200 students from Butts, Lamar, Monroe, Pike, Spalding, and Upson counties.  Close to 30 students at SGES received financial aid for tuition, uniform and class trip assistance during the 2006-2007 school year. 

These grants are a result of Southern Rivers Energy members participating in the Operation Round Up® program.  By allowing their electric bill to be rounded to the nearest dollar and donating the change, the Trust is able to award grants to these worthwhile programs that enhance the quality of life in our communities.  It is a voluntary program and members can sign up or opt out at any time.  If you would like to sign up for the program and start rounding up your electric bill, just contact SRE at 770-358-1383 or toll free, 877-358-1383 and a customer service representative will be happy to assist you.