Grant Updates

By Ed Wyllie Published Aug 17, 2012 05:13 pm Updated May 31, 2019 07:12 pm

For my July blog, I wrote about some of the local projects that are making a difference and have received grants from Donor Funds held at the Sonora Area Foundation.

This month, I want to provide an update that highlights several projects that were previously awarded grants by the Sonora Area Foundation through its competitive grant program (see my May blog for details). The Foundation, in conjunction with The Symons Family Fund and the Irving J. Symons Foundation for Tuolumne County (both supporting organizations of the Sonora Area Foundation), periodically awards grants to worthy projects in our community.

1. Smile Keepers – Smile Keepers is a school based dental disease prevention program providing dental screenings, fluoride varnish applications, dental education and dental sealants for children in preschool through high school ages. Dental referrals are provided for families needing assistance. All services are provided with parent permission.

2. "BOB" the Health Van – "BOB" (Be On Board) is a Mobile Health Van (or Clinic) operated by the Tuolumne County Public Health Department and the Tuolumne County Superintendent of Schools, with assistance from many local partners. "BOB" is for all students and young people in Tuolumne County. According to the Director of Public Health, Dr. Todd Stolp, "The van has been a lynch pin in providing health care services and health education to kids in our rural areas."

3. Tuolumne Veteran’s History Project – Commencing in 2011, this project documents the wartime stories of twenty Tuolumne County WWII veterans. Project Director Deanna Deschaine-Maurer advises "By preserving the local history of veterans, we give the community access to the stories of those that risked their lives to defend it." A second phase of the project is scheduled to commence this fall. Read the veteran’s stories at www.MemoirCenter.org.

4. Sonora Sunrise Rotary Community Park Project – This project is located on a one acre site on Covey Circle off of Cabezut Road in the Sonora area. Now in the final stages of construction, the park will include areas for large and small dogs to play, a community garden (already in use), sheltered areas, and off- street parking.

5. Sober Graduation – For fifteen years, proactive grants have been made to

Sonora and Summerville High Schools to support sober graduation activities for graduating seniors.

The above are just five of the numerous programs or projects that have been awarded over $6 million through our competitive grant program since our start in 1990. Our cumulative total of all grants awarded by the Foundation is approaching $17 million. If you would like more information about giving back and making a difference in Tuolumne County, give us a call at 533-2596.