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Four County Community Foundation announced grant funding awards for the fourth and final quarter of its 2024 Spark Grant awards. One of the grants helped Samaritan House purchase coats and boots for its clients.
Photo provided by Maria Brown
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Four County Community Foundation, in Romeo, announced its Spark Grant funding awards for the fourth and final quarter of 2024, including one that went to Eisenhouwer High School’s Science Olympiad team.
In October, the foundation’s board of trustees gave its approval to dozens of grant applications reviewed earlier that month by a committee of volunteers, totaling more than $80,000. The Eisenhower High School Science Olympiad team received $1,000 for program support.
Some of those dollars have already been put to use. Samaritan House used $3,000 in grant funding to purchase coats and boots for its clients before temperatures plunged. Combined with some of its own funds, the Washington Township-based organization was able to provide cold-weather gear items to 75 children in the Romeo Community Schools district in November.
Szajna-Carr for the Paws, also based in Macomb County, was granted $20,000 for its police K-9 wish list program, which helps law enforcement agencies with K-9 costs. Currently, Szajna-Carr for the Paws is assisting the Shelby Township Police Department in acquiring a new dog.
Science Olympiad team coach Jennifer Kirsch said her son, Mason Kirsch, has been on the team for several years.
“The Shelby grant is an amazing opportunity for the Eisenhower High School students to foster creativity, team building and science outside of the classroom in a hands-on experience that will challenge them to think dynamically to solve an event. My son competes in several ‘build events’ that require trips to the hardware store to acquire materials to create machines that accomplish event goals,” she said.
She said this grant will enable more kids to compete and allow them the flexibility to try multiple variations to ensure competition success.
“Sincere thank you, sincerely, Four County Community Foundation for the financial support of the Ike Science Olympiad team,” she said.
Susan Ogden, from the Eisenhower Science Olympiad team, said that they are so grateful for the grant from the Four County Community Foundation.
“Eisenhower’s Science Olympiad program is an important opportunity for the students for whom science is their passion. The grant has made it practical to be able to manage the expenses that come with having two teams so as to give more students the chance to prepare for a future in STEM fields. It will allow us to focus on learning science rather than on fundraising,” she said.
To learn more about the granting process or to start a grant application, visit 4ccf.org/grantees.
Four County Community Foundation serves the current and emerging needs of the local community. The foundation serves portions of Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties. To learn more about Four County Community Foundation, visit 4ccf.org or call (810) 798-0909.
