This year’s Rotary Grant Award decisions were particularly difficult in that so many applications referenced two points:  1)”our funding is down over last year”; and/or, 2) not surprisingly, “we’re facing greater and increasing needs”.  And, in the face of that increasing demand, far more grant requests were received this year than there was funding available to support them all.  That said, after careful scrutiny and assessment of a wide range of such worthwhile grant requests, Rockwall Breakfast Rotary is pleased to announce its Community Grant Award Winners for 2009 (in alphabetical order):

BEFORE THE BRIDGE

….is a no-kill pet rescue program committed to saving the lives of companion dogs and cats one life at a time, providing food, shelter, medical care and love while they search for each pet’s special ‘Forever Home’.     Grant Use: Purchase additional kennels to increase their capability to accept and save more animals for adoption.

BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF ROCKWALL COUNTY

….strives to positively impact youth in academic success, strong character, citizenship, healthy lifestyles and teach “choice” through a wide range of diverse programs.  Grant Use:  Assist in the construction of an obstacle course and expansion of their gardening club program.

FOOD PANTRY OF HELPING HANDS

…. is an integral part of Helping Hand’s broader Assistance and Referral program that offers short term emergency assistance to Rockwall County residents in crisis.     Grant Use:  Purchase much needed pantries supplies through the summer months when food donations are lower and demand is greater due to summer vacations and the lack of access to RISD free/reduced breakfast and lunch programs.

ROCKWALL AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

….is a Christian housing ministry dedicated to building quality affordable homes for families in Rockwall County who might not otherwise be able to afford one.     Grant Use:  Purchase of building supplies and specialized work that is not doable by their extensive volunteer labor pool.

HEALTH CENTER OF HELPING HANDS

….seeks to provide low cost health care to uninsured and underinsured Rockwall County residents with privacy, dignity, and respect.    Grant Use:  Purchase new equipment to increase the number of services available to pediatric patients on site, reducing the need for return visits or referral, while increasing the timeliness of individual test results and enhancing their delivery of quality health care.

MASTER GARDENERS OF ROCKWALL COUNTY

….provides education and technical assistance in gardening and home horticulture to local area residents and the school children of Rockwall County.  Grant Use:  Construction of an Education Building and Greenhouse to further expand their training and educational programs within our community.

MEALS ON WHEELS (Rockwall County Commission on Aging)

…. is the major program of this organization that also offers a number of other less well known services to the senior citizens and disabled in Rockwall County.     Grant Use:  Purchase holiday meals for Thanksgiving and New Years Eve, two of the eight days in 2009 when their kitchen is closed.

ONE MANS TREASURE CHEST CLOSET

….seeks to empower indigent men recently released from prison by providing them with a set of clothing appropriate for job interviewing and networking opportunities.     Grant Use:  Purchase needed garment racks to store the increasing clothing donations for their growing client base.

READING FOR ADULTS

….is a non-profit organization founded in 2000 in cooperation with the Rockwall County Library to promote adult and family literacy in the Rockwall community through a wide range of tutoring and educational programs.     Grant Use: Purchase additional GED educational and training supplies to support increasing requests for this training as a result of current economic conditions.

ROCKWALL PREGNANCY RESOURCE CENTER

….serves women facing unplanned pregnancies by offering free and confidential pregnancy tests, counseling, sonograms and educational programs.  Grant Use:  Purchase of much needed updated computer hardware to replace equipment that is seriously deficient in memory, technology, and response time.

SHOES FOR KIDS

….provides new back-to-school shoes for as many children as possible on reduced and free lunch in the Rockwall and Royse City ISD’s.  Grant Use:  Assist in the purchase of 1,500 new pairs of shoes in 2009.

THRIFT STORE OF HELPING HANDS

….offers donated clothing and household goods for resale and is the primary source of funding for Helping Hands’  many Assistance and Referral Programs and Health Clinic.  Grant Use:  Community advertising to increase shopper awareness and increase revenues to support growing demand for Helping Hands’ many services.

Congratulations, 2009 Rockwall Breakfast Rotary Community Grant Award Winners!!!