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Organizations receive funding to benefit local young people
Feb 11, 2012 (The Daily Courier - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) --
Local businesses have recycled money back to communities to benefit area youths.
Two nonprofits -- ArtWorks Connellsville and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region -- each received $1,000 grants from the Community Reinvestment Fund, an integral part of the Buy Local Network.
Local businesses involved in the Buy Local Network donate $10 a month to the Community Reinvestment Fund, maintained by the Community Foundation of Fayette County. Those funds are then redistributed in the form of grants to local nonprofit organizations for innovative projects.
Mike Edwards, of the Fayette County Cultural Trust and ArtWorks Connellsville, said the $1,000 will be used for a new program called "Re-Create."
"We are so excited to receive this grant money," Edwards said. "The youth in our community will benefit greatly from the art classes. This funding will provide an opportunity for the area youth to have a positive experience that they might not have been able to have otherwise."
He noted that the three years the Trail Town Outreach Corps has worked in the area has increased the importance of reuse and recycling.
"These materials are not going to the landfill. Re-Create takes materials that might ordinarily be discarded for which other good reuse outlets do not exist, thus lending themselves to being reused in a creative way."
The grant will provide materials and supplies as well as a scholarship for future students. This new program is open to any student wishing to join in the fun of learning how to create art from recycled materials.
Most needed materials include: art and craft supplies, books, buttons, notions, cones, tubes, containers, costume jewelry, cut-offs, trim, end rolls of fabric, fabric, thread, yarn, foam, keys, washers, picture hangers, magnets, matte and poster board, office supplies, overstock and surplus paper, production mistakes and seconds, promotional items, punch-outs, samples, signs, string, stickers, self-adhesives and unique packing material.
Donations will be taken from 3 to 5 p.m. Fridays at ArtWorks, 139 W. Crawford Ave.
Re-Create will not typically accept building materials, clothes, furniture, food containers, cans, bottles and other household recycling items.
Businesses and individuals interested in donating materials and art supplies for these classes can learn more by calling ArtWorks Connellsville at 724-320-6392.
Two classes will be offered. Both cost $32 each. Scholarships are available.
Basic machine sewing, for children ages 10 to 16, will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 15, 22 and 29 at ArtWorks. Four children will be accepted, or six, if two bring their own sewing machines.
The first class will cover the basics of machine sewing and materials. Students will learn to make a basic tote bag and a pillow.
The second class, Meet the Masters, is designed for children ages 6 to 9, and will meet from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 23, March 1 and March 8.
The class will introduce children to artists like Cezanne and Matisse who used bold colors and shapes to create their unique visions. Their work may inspire student projects.
Mike Krajovic, president and CEO of Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, said, "It is wonderful to see our local small business owners investing in the area's nonprofit organizations which, in turn, invest in the members of our community. The idea of businesses paying it forward even in the smallest amount can have an enormous effect on the overall well-being of Fayette County residents and the Buy Local Network."
Any nonprofit organization with a project to positively impact the local community can access an application at the Buy Local Network website, www.buylocalfayette.org. Three grant periods a year will open for an up to $1,000 project grant.
The new Community Reinvestment Grant cycle for 2012 is now taking applications through March 9.
___ (c)2012 The Daily Courier (Connellsville, Pa.) Visit The Daily Courier
(Connellsville, Pa.) at www.pittsburghlive.com/x/dailycourier Distributed by MCT
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