[June 14, 2017] |
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Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK Announce Winners for First Annual "A Community Thrives" Program
Nine philanthropic organizations from across the country will receive
charitable grants from Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK as the winners of the
company's "A
Community Thrives" social impact program.
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Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK launched "A
Community Thrives" (ACT) this year to focus on funding great
ideas in its communities across the country. Hundreds of individuals and
groups submitted ideas via video explaining how their project would have
a positive impact on their community. The winners offer creative
solutions to addressing their communities needs and interests.
"Our purpose at Gannett | USA TODAY NETWORK is built on strengthening
and empowering the communities we serve. 'A Community Thrives' feeds
that mission by enabling people in our communities to surface the issues
important to them that a grant from this program can impact in
meaningful way," said Andy Yost, chief marketing officer of Gannett |
USA TODAY NETWORK.
"We are proud to be able to empower people to make a positive impact in
their community," said Bob Dickey, chief executive officer of Gannett |
USA TODAY NETWORK. "The participation from our local communities was
overwhelming in its first year, and we look forward to growing this
program to touch many more people in the years to come."
The program received hundreds of thousands of votes for each of its
three categories: Health and Wellness, Education, and Arts and Culture.
Three winners were chosen from each category, with the first-place
winners receiving grants of $100,000, and each runner-up receiving
grants of $50,000. The winners chosen are as follows:
Arts & Culture:
Promise
in Brevard Creative Arts Center - $100,000
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Promise in Brevard is a nonprofit organization, dedicated to enriching
the lives of adults with disabilities by providing an amazing and safe
place for them to live, work and enjoy a fulfilling life with their
friends. The grant will support the buildout of a Creative Arts Center
which will serve as a resident and community classroom and a gallery
that will provide employment opportunities to residents and revenue to
sustain the program.
Garden
Artist-in-Residence Program - $50,000
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Bookworm Gardens, a non-profit in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, brings
children's books to life with its interactive outdoor gardens. It is
ready to write its next chapter with the Bookworm Gardens
Artists-in-Residence Program, which will allow local artists to create
new works on-site and explore the relationship between art,
literature, nature, and culture.
Art
at the Crossroads - $50,000
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Art at the Crossroads is a new community-based initiative in
collaboration with the Poughkeepsie Alliance to create small scale
design and arts projects that improve the lives of those who conceive
of, make, and use them. The grant will support the development of
Mural Square Project creating a public space with a farmer's market
and community programming for the Poughkeepsie community.
Education:
Kopernik
Science Park - $100,000
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The Junior League of Binghamton plans to expand the Kopernik
Observatory and Science Center by creating an outdoor science themed
park, equipped with a playground and interactive STEM educational
experiences. The goal of this expansion is to "energize STEM education
programs for children [of all ages], sparking their imagination and
interest in pursuing local STEM careers."
Rise
Above - $50,000
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Valiant Cross Academy (VCA), an all-male school in Montgomery, AL,
aims to provide young men from underserved communities with "hope,
opportunity, and belief in one's self that they can 'Rise Above'
anything." Many students are raised without positive role models, so
VCA works to create a bright future with hope and opportunity for one
young man at a time. The grant will support the renovation of a space
at Troy University at Montgomery to serve as a high school space
beginning in 2018-2019.
The
Floating Classroom - New Jersey - $50,000
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The Lake Hopatcong Foundation is a non-profit aiming to improve New
Jersey's largest lake. With the grant and other funds, "the Foundation
will purchase a 40-foot, custom-built, covered pontoon as [its]
Floating Classroom," which will provide classes educating the
community about watershed protection and fresh water ecology.
Health & Wellness:
IU
Dental Students Building Better Smiles - $100,000
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Students from Indiana University (News - Alert) dental school provide free dental
services to patients in need. The grant will provide students with
funds for dental work, allowing patients to build better smiles and
self-esteem for job interviews.
Mary's
Magical Place All-Inclusive Playground - $50,000
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The Hendersonville, TN, playground "will be an all-inclusive
playground where children of ALL abilities can play." This
uniquely-designed ADA compliant space will foster barrier-free social
interactions, raise awareness, reduce prejudices, and increase
physical activity to the special needs population who is often
underserved.
Atwater
Beach, a new, vibrant beach setting along the Detroit River - $50,000
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Atwater Beach park will serve as a diverse gathering place for the
entire community and will activate a strategic location along the
Detroit Riverfront. With a great deal of support from the community,
Atwater Beach park will link the area to other waterfront developments
transforming the way people use the Detroit RiverWalk while providing
a vital gathering place where social boundaries are softened.
About the USA TODAY NETWORK
The USA TODAY NETWORK, part of Gannett Co., Inc. (NYSE: GCI (News - Alert)), is the
largest local to national media network in the country. Powered by
integrated and award-winning news organizations with deep roots in 109
local communities, plus USA TODAY, the multiplatform news network
informs and engages more than 110 million people every month through its
diverse portfolio of digital, mobile, and publishing products.
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