Published Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Charter Bank foundation assists YMCA, Brooking foundation
The Newnan Times-Herald
The Charter Foundation of CharterBank awarded grant money to two non-profit organizations in Coweta County Friday.
The Summit Family YMCA received a $21,250 grant, and the Keith Brooking Children's Foundation received $5,000. Both organizations submitted to an application process in which they detailed plans for the grant money.
Summit YMCA Executive Director Jeff Alevy explained that they will use the grant money to purchase Hop Sports portable fitness equipment. Alevy described it as an interactive program that emphasizes youth wellness. The equipment will be used in association with the YMCA's Youth Fit for Life program, which presently serves approximately 750 youth in the Coweta community.
"It teaches kids that exercise can be fun, and it encourages them to adopt exercise as a lifelong habit," said Alevy. He added that this is the YMCA's way of using Charter's investment to address youth obesity and the diabetes epidemic.
Tim Coleman, executive director of the Keith Brooking foundation, said the funding will be used to launch their "Defining Opportunity" program.
The program is designed to give selected foster children the opportunity to further develop abilities they have in music, art, sports and scouting.
"We're extremely grateful for this investment," said Coleman. "It's helping us launch this program -- these children can now pursue their defining moment in life."
The Charter Foundation provides grants anywhere CharterBank has retail branches in order to enhance the quality of life in the community served by the bank. These two non-profit organizations were selected because of the important services they provide the county.
The Charter Foundation makes grants primarily in the areas of community and economic development, human and social needs, environmental protection, and cultural and artistic projects. Last year, more than $360,000 was awarded in the communities served by CharterBank, which now include Coweta and Fayette counties. To be eligible to apply, an organization must have 501(c)(3) status from the IRS. Generally, churches, public schools and governmental entities qualify, as well as many charitable organizations.
