Balloons Over Vermilion has awarded $10-thousand dollars in grants to programs benefiting young people around the county. Event Co-Chair Pat O’Shaughnessy says the board unanimously approved four grants which are made possible because of the successful balloon festival last July…..
A $5-thousand dollar grant was awarded today (Tuesday, January 15, 2019) to the Food for the Children Backpack Program. The totally volunteer program supports over 400 children in Danville School District 118 which provides children with nutritional food for weekends.
Other grants awarded by Balloons Over Vermilion include:
- A $2,500 grant to Judith Giacoma Elementary School in Westville after one of the classes there served as the official hosts for the 2018 Balloons Over Vermilion. Principal Nathan Ford says the money will be used to provide students with material focused on science, technology, engineering and math projects.
- A $1,750 grant to The Dwelling Place which was established to serve as an advocate for the homeless and those at-risk of homelessness in Vermilion County. The money will be used to help provide essential basic hygiene and household care items to help the homeless.
- A $750 grant to the Schlarman Academy Archery Program. The program has won three state championships, and helped at last year’s Balloons Over Vermilion event by offering free archery tips and demonstrations.
Rose Gates, Coordinator of the Food for the Children Backpack Program, says the program started in 2010….
Gates says the number of children getting help through the Backpack Program has been growing….
It was also announced during the Balloons Over Vermilion event at the Vermilion County Museum Tuesday that Michelle Esteppe’s third grade class at Southwest Elementary School will serve as the official hosts for this year’s festival. (You can click on the photo to enlarge it.)
