Grants were awarded in amounts from $500 to $4,000 to the following organizations for a variety of needs.

• Boys and Girls Club of Salem: Expanding literacy materials for language and arts programs and STEM challenge books.
• Center for Hope and Safety: Helping purchase play equipment for The Mosaic Activity Center.
• Marion Polk Food Share: Providing 12,000 meals for children and families in need.
• Mid Valley Suicide Prevention Coalition: Enhancing outreach efforts to youth sports clubs by providing educational programs focused on mental health and resilience.
• Salem Angels: Replenishing school supplies and providing food boxes to independent teens.
• Theatre 33 at Willamette University: Helping offset course costs so 20 high school students can receive full scholarships.
• Salem Free Clinics: Offering free sports physicals to youth in Marion and Polk Counties.
• Willamette Valley Vital Health: Replenishing and expanding youth focused resources given to grieving community members at events and presentations.

During the committee’s discussions about selecting this year’s grant recipients, the focus was on the overall impact of the organization and the potential of their projects to foster change. With grant funds often being in short supply, Rotary’s ability to provide funding for eight local organizations is a win:win- not only are we able to support the good work happening in our backyard, but Rotarians are learning about and becoming more connected to these organizations and causes.

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