“Happy 200th Birthday Dallas County” (Dallas): “Happy 200th Birthday Dallas County” -Saturday, October 6, 2018 at Old Cahawba (9518 Cahaba Road Orrville, AL 36767 commemorating Dallas County’s Bicentennial. The event will feature local entertainment, vendors, arts & crafts, food, and historical exhibits. A highlight of this event will be a walking tour of exhibits of each city, town, and village that make up Dallas County. During the celebration folks will have the opportunity to learn the history behind the State’s First Capital sight, Alabama’s Official Ghost Town and a brief history of Dallas County by Linda Derry, Executive Director, Old Cahawba Archaeological Park. Also, there will be a Bicentennial Cake for everyone to enjoy and a butterfly release. (Read more)
“Pathways to Mental Health” (Marengo): The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that one in five Americans suffer from mental illness. As research, headlines, and personal testimonies reflect the devastation that mental health conditions can create, rural America is at an even greater risk of limited access to mental health resources. Therefore, the “Pathways to Mental Health” program serves as a source of refuge to rural citizens who otherwise would not have access to trained mental health counselors. “Pathways” focuses on mental health awareness, healthy mental lifestyles, and stigma removal. The program provides education tailored for children and adults, age 5 and up, and it gives each group an opportunity to dispel some of the myths associated with mental health conditions and health awareness. “Pathways” creates a judgment free, open dialogue environment in our communities and in our schools that encourages mental health awareness discussions. Moreover, it is an opportunity to conduct research and to collect data in the form of forums, surveys, and storytelling in an effort to provide resources to meet existing and future needs. (Read more)
4-H Educational Programs (Monroe): The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential programs and a positive youth development approach. The Monroe County 4-H is seeking to enhance the 4-H experience for the youth of our county. It is our mission to provide hands-on experiences and learning as an educational method that directly involves the learner, by actively encouraging them to do something in order to learn about it. In short, it is ‘learning by doing’. In order to provide the students of our county with the best possible education, we chose to spend our grant money on creating a Drone kit for our county youth to utilize. (Read more)
4-H Makerspace-Learn by Doing! (Coneuch): Kids experience 4 H through in-school and after-school programs, school and community clubs and 4 H camps. The Conecuh County 4-H program would like to have the opportunity to offer a wide variety of experiences to the children of our county. We believe that learning by doing is the most effective method of educating children. We would like to purchase materials to create a Makerspace that will aide in the development of the following skills: geospatial technology, robotics, coding & computer programming, and culinary science. Makerspaces are interactive, community-oriented spaces and projects where one can create and learn skills using a variety of different tools and materials. In a makerspace, you can explore science, technology, engineering, mathematics and your creativity! It’s about teaching children to think for themselves, think creatively, and to look for do-it-yourself solutions. (Read more)
Aggie Outdoor Classroom and Garden (Clarke): The Aggie Outdoor Classroom and Garden is an extension of the growing agric-science department at Jackson Middle School. The purpose of this project is to provide our students with numerous opportunities to learn about the importance agricultural plays in our area and in our daily lives. Students are provided multiple ways of learning about plant growth. Students experience the growth of plants through raise beds, aquaponic towers, hydroponic tubs and an outdoor hoop house. The hoop house serves as the centerpiece to our outdoor classroom, allowing for crops to grow throughout the year. (Read more)
All Inclusive Training and Development Employment Program, (AITDEP) Summer Employment Program (Wilcox): The All Inclusive Training and Development Program, (AITDEP) summer employment program will focus on the uniqueness of the youth employment workforce in Wilcox County by providing a conduit to mitigate issues in educational attainment, work based training opportunities, academic and occupational skills by training in targeted industries through collaborative partnerships to improve the chances for out of school and in school youth to overcome employment barriers. The targeted age group will be youth ranging from ages 16 to 24 who meet the established requirements for the Wilcox County summer youth employment program. This program will seek 30 youths at various different companies for 4 weeks during the summer. The first week of the program will be spent in the classroom training on work ethics, how to complete an application, an interview process and skills. (Read more)
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) (Washington): To obtain a new (AED) Automated External Defibrillator for the fire department in Fruitdale, Alabama. The departments current AED is out dated and can no longer be repaired. The first responders of the fire department have been trained in the proper use and upkeep of an (AED) and are in desperate need of this life saving medical device. If awarded this grant, the fire department will purchase a new lithium ion rechargeable (AED) which will be stored in the departments medical unit and be available for use during medical calls in the community including ball games, school functions, parades and other community events. (Read more)
BAMA Kids After-School Academic Enrichment Program (Wilcox): Funding was used to provide tutoring and life coaches for participants in the BAMA Kids, Inc. afterschool program. (Read more)
BAMA Kids Playground Project (Wilcox): The money was used to purchase fencing, borders and mulch. A drainage problem in the play area was corrected. (Read more)
Beatrice Pacers community Garden Fishery Aquaculture Continued Project based learn (): Beatrice pacers community garden/fishery aquaculture is a continued project-based learning center., located at 17688 Highway 21 North @ J.F. Shields High School Beatrice Al. Beatrice pacers community/students., garden/fishery/ aquaculture unit projects teach students grade 3-9 within the class room & aquaculture unit a 10×54 passive solar living lab about plants and fish life water quality in aquaponic. Students receive credit (AL. Dept. Education COS grade) in Science, Mathematic, Biology, Chemistry. Students/community citizen build plant grow & cultivate garden produce from 21 4×8 raised garden beds.(Six new raised bed was made in 2019) Students learn care for fish bass, Koi, Bluegill and garden plants in the 10×54 Passive solar Greenhouse living lab. Community citizens and students working to bridge the gap hand on learning skill for life. Hands on life skill with Community Citizen Pacers’s Edwin Moorer Beatrice pacers community garden/fishery aquaculture is a continued project-based learning center., located at 17688 Highway 21 North @ J.F. Shields High School Beatrice Al. Worked with students PACERS Teachers For the past nine weeks the students at JF Shields High School has had the honor, as well as the privilege, of working with two of most amazing gentlemen that I have ever met. Mr. (Read more)
Black Belt Mobile Pantries – Dallas County (Dallas): Black Belt Mobile Pantries operate through Selma Area Food Bank. We collect and distribute on average around 12,000 lbs of food per mobile pantry. This poundage includes but is not limited to, fresh meat, produce and canned good items. We distribute the products in the four counties we service which are: Dallas, Perry, Marengo and Wilcox. All of the food we distribute through Mobile Pantries are completely free of charge for the individuals participating and Selma Area Food Bank incurs all charges for the product. (Read more)
Black Belt Mobile Pantries – Marengo County (Marengo): Black Belt Mobile Pantries operate through Selma Area Food Bank. We collect and distribute on average around 12,000 lbs of food per mobile pantry. This poundage includes but is not limited to, fresh meat, produce and canned good items. We distribute the products in the four counties we service which are: Dallas, Perry, Marengo and Wilcox. All of the food we distribute through Mobile Pantries are completely free of charge for the individuals participating and Selma Area Food Bank incurs all charges for the product. (Read more)
Black Belt Mobile Pantries – Perry County (Perry): Black Belt Mobile Pantries operate through Selma Area Food Bank. We collect and distribute on average around 12,000 lbs of food per mobile pantry. This poundage includes but is not limited to, fresh meat, produce and canned good items. We distribute the products in the four counties we service which are: Dallas, Perry, Marengo and Wilcox. All of the food we distribute through Mobile Pantries are completely free of charge for the individuals participating and Selma Area Food Bank incurs all charges for the product. (Read more)
Black Belt Mobile Pantries – Wilcox County (Wilcox): Black Belt Mobile Pantries operate through Selma Area Food Bank. We collect and distribute on average around 12,000 lbs of food per mobile pantry. This poundage includes but is not limited to, fresh meat, produce and canned good items. We distribute the products in the four counties we service which are: Dallas, Perry, Marengo and Wilcox. All of the food we distribute through Mobile Pantries are completely free of charge for the individuals participating and Selma Area Food Bank incurs all charges for the product. (Read more)
Building A Foundation For Our Youth (Wilcox): Through this project, our youth have learned to exhibit great self-esteem, self – worth, leadership skills, educational and artistic achievement, among other character-building values needed for success in life and future leaders in the community. (Read more)
Chamber Ambassador Scholars (Choctaw): The Chamber Ambassador program is designed to encourage student participation in public service through assisting the Choctaw County Chamber of Commerce in various projects throughout the year. This program also offers a monetary scholarship in the amount of $250 to eight senior students, specifically two students from each of the county’s four high schools, for their willingness to serve their community. (Read more)
Child Abuse Prevention Education (Dallas): The CAC sponsored several Child Abuse Prevention events to educate the public and conducted education series aimed at individuals who are deemed to be “mandatory reporters” of child abuse by the laws of the State of Alabama. Audiences included employees of child-serving organizations such as teachers, administrators, coaches, volunteers, and healthcare providers. These trainings educated Mandatory Reporters who also serve as a first line prevention effort. (Read more)
ChiLLy Fest (Marengo): ChiLLy Fest, our Christmas event, is Lindens largest event. It includes a free concert, carnival, vendors, chili cook off, parade, and fireworks. (Read more)
Clarke County 4-H Air Rifle & BB Program (Clarke): The Clarke County 4-H Air Rifle & BB Project will be a new, One-Of-A-Kind Program for the youth ages 9-18 of Clarke County. The project will offer youth more choices for participation in the outdoors and give the youth to participate in shooting disciplines such as air rifle and bb which are not currently offered in the county. This program offers the youth the opportunity to learn safe shooting, responsible firearm ownership and to assist young people and their leaders in attaining knowledge and developing essential life skills. The program will provide an outstanding way to strengthen families through lifelong recreational activities. 4-H S.A.F.E (Shooting Awareness, Fun and Education) will also provide additional opportunities for youth to (1) be exposed to a broad array of careers and activities related to shooting sports, (2) promote the highest standards of leadership, safety, sportsmanship and ethical behavior, (3) have a better understanding of natural resource concepts and (4) enhance the development of youth participants self-concept, character and personal growth through safe education and socially-acceptable involvement in shooting activities. (Read more)
Economic Feasibility Project with Monroe County EDA (Monroe): This project was created to reduce costs associated with marketing and promotional materials by eliminating the need to retain professional photographers and graphic designers for services. This project will also allow the MMCEDA to provide photography and design support to other entities working to promote Monroe County. (Read more)
Education Outreach (Monroe): The money was used to pay all transportation costs for the students. The demonstrators were all paid. The staff and volunteers were paid gas costs to and from the site. There were food and drink costs, expenses for preparation for the event and port-o-lets. There were demonstrators who performed activities that were common to Pioneer life in rural southwest Alabama. There were blacksmith’s, people making cane syrup with the help of a mule, candle makers, a potter making pottery and a working gristmill. The activities took place at Rikard’s Mill Historical Park, Beatrice, Alabama. (Read more)
FAWN (Forestry Awareness Week Now) (Washington): FAWN was held April 30 & May 1, 2019 at the Forestry Commission office. In the two-day event, 196 sixth grade students from Chatom, Fruitdale, Leroy, McIntosh and Millry schools visited seven stations where they learned about wildlife habitat, forest management, forest history, soils, Project Wild, tree identification and forest products. Each station has a presentation that lasts roughly 20 minutes in which local volunteers, industry and state/forestry agency personnel teach the students. Students are divided into groups and given different colored FAWN t-shirts to keep each group distinct. Students are rotated through each station set up along a trail to provide a hands-on, interactive learning experience. (Read more)
Fruitdale Youth Football Sports Safety and Awareness (Washington): The project is to decrease the number of youth sports related injuries among youth participating in the Fruitdale Youth Football while increasing youth sports safety and awareness. This will be implemented by the providing youth with the necessary safety equipment and gear, while also providing training to youth football coaches and providing parents with safety facts sheets. The training will consist of implementing the CDC (Center of Disease Control) HEADS UP for Youth Sports. The CDC provides training materials for coaches and customizable safety fact sheets to distribute to participating youth parents. As it relates to safety equipment and gear the CDC HEADS UP recommends 10 and out, which recommends football helmets meet NOCSAE (National Operating on Standards for Athletic Equipment) standards and should be replaced no later then 10 years from the date of manufacture. Many of the helmets in the Fruitdale Youth Football inventory will be at the 10 year mark and will need to be replaced. Unfortunately, many are not labeled to know if they meet any safety standards. In addition to helmets, the necessary shoulder pads, pants (thigh, knee, and hip) pads, chin straps and mouth pieces are needed for the safety of the Fruitdale Football (Read more)
Gated Up, Two (Coneuch): This grant allowed us to purchase much needed panels and gates for the Conecuh County Ag Complex. This allowed us to have calf show with our own panels and gates. The animals were kept separated and everyone was safe during this event. (Read more)
Getting Wired- Sparta Academy (Coneuch): Sparta Academy purchased 20 Refurbished Dell Chromebooks Laptops with a 2 year Accident Protection plan for student. (Read more)
HIPPY Conecuh (Coneuch): HIPPY Conecuh had four projects with our grant from ALA-TOM RC&D. The first project was 45 School Supply Boxes for our HIPPY participants. These were school boxes filled with supplies such as scissors, glue, crayons, markers, erasers, pencils, pencil sharpner, construction paper. The second project was Family Literacy Night where we distributed books and homemade props to go with each book for the children to role play with at home. The third project was Graduation. Supplies and decorations were purchased to decorate with an “Ocean Theme” this year. Sand buckets were purchased and filled with end of the year practice items for the summer. The fourth project was Curriculum Supplies and Props for the HIPPY families. The supplies and props make it possible for the families to complete their weekly packets in the areas of Science, Math, and Language Development, and fine and gross motor skills. (Read more)
Marengo County Safety Day (Marengo): Marengo County Extension Office host a one day Safety Day for all of the 3rd graders (325) in Marengo County. This educational program provides training and resources for local communities to conduct safety and healthy training programs. Safety Day is designed to be age-appropriate, hands-on, fun and safe for children. The students will visit nineteen different stations. Some of the stations are atv safety, sun safety, knife safety and bicycle safety. These sessions are conducted outside in May and we need to provide adequate shade out of the hot weather for our presenters and our third graders. (Read more)
Margaret Ann Knott Memorial Marker (Choctaw): Margaret Ann Knott was one of the heroes of the Civil Rights Movement in Choctaw County. On September 11th, 1971, Miss Knott was killed during a protest on the streets of Butler after being struck by a vehicle at the young age of 19. This project is to assist in funding the creation of a marker to be placed by the county to commemorate the life of Miss Knott and recognize her role in progressing the fight for Civil Rights in Choctaw County. (Read more)
MOWA Choctaw Cultural Beautification Project (Choctaw): This project was designed to give the entrance of the Museum/Cultural center an inviting appearance. The Museum/Cultural center is located on the MOWA Choctaw Reservation and is frequently visited by tourists, schools, historians and church groups. Over the years, the Tribe wanted to improve the appearance of the yard but had no funding to pay for it. Thanks to AL-Tom RC & D we were finally able to give our Museum/Cultural center a new look. (Read more)
National Library Week Celebration (Monroe): The Monroe County Public Library celebrated National Library Week, and the 92nd birthday of the library, We had two author events, with the author, Kelly Kazek and Glenn Wills, making presentations, and signing books. At Mrs. Kzek’s presentation we have away 100 of her books. We did coloring books highlighting historic places and events to coincide with hosting Alabama Bicentennial Exhibit, and hosted a coloring contest for the 4th grade students. which would not have been possible without this funding. We also had a special event for children with a local author , Dr Margaret Murphy, doing a reading and children building their own stuffed animals. We partnered with our support organization, Friends of the Library, Alabama Coastal Community College, to celebrate all things literary. (Read more)
PAWS for Safety (Clarke): The PTO of Wilson Hall Middle School will work closely with Dr. Taite to implement safety upgrades to our aging facility, which is the objective of the project. We believe these changes will benefit not only the students who attend the school, but the community at large. Our ultimate goal is to have all doors be alike with matching locks and a master key. Additional phases of safety upgrades may be necessary in the future, however, we believe this project will be a wonderful start to increasing the safety of the facility and the sense of well-being of the students, faculty and staff of Wilson Hall Middle School. All installation, operation and maintenance will be performed by the Maintenance Department of the Clarke County Board of Education. (Read more)
Perry Lakes Park Road Upgrade (Perry): The Perry Lakes Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, Located on State Hwy 175 East of Marion ,contains about 600 acres available to the public for outdoor recreation, education, scientific research, and other activities. Recent upgrades to Perry Lakes Park ensure continued accessibility and safety to the public. Procured grant funding was used to resurface the parking lot and construct a boat ramp for access to the Cahaba River. (Read more)
Quarry Lake Stock and Management (Washington): The Quarry Lake at the St. Stephens Historical Park is one of the few public lakes in Washington County. For the past few years, park visitors have remarked that fishing in our lake is not as plentiful as it once was. The lake needed to be stocked to increase our guests’ recreational fishing pleasure which should then generate increased revenue for the park. In June 2018, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources completed a study of our lake indicated that our pond is healthy for mixed-use. it has deep, clear, unproductive (not covered with plankton) water and is suited to fishing and swimming. The seine test revealed that the bass and bream stock are at adequate levels. The catfish population is significantly understocked. The recommendation for stocking the lake was to introduce 6″-8″ catfish into the pond. This is the recommended size so that the existing bass fish will not eat the catfish prior to maturity. Mr. Norman Green was the recommended supplier. (Read more)
Relying on F.A.I.T.H. (Food Always In The Home) (Choctaw): Our project was to improve our refrigeration equipment in order to be able to purchase more food at better prices to serve the food insecure of Choctaw County. It is important to provide protein and dairy to our clients in order for them to have a balanced diet. We cannot do that efficiently unless we have a safe and adequate means of storing these items. When dealing with meat and dairy, an adequate refrigeration / freezer space is needed. We are only able to purchase product once per month. It is more economical to buy meat in bulk. In order to do this, we must have ample room to store the product until it is distributed throughout the month. (Read more)
Scoreboard (Washington): We have removed our old baseball scoreboard and replaced it with a modern one. It is a wireless scoreboard which should make it less likely to have any trouble from cut lines or bad connections. (Read more)
Scoreboard for Sports Complex, Southern Choctaw High School (Choctaw): The Sports Complex at Southern Choctaw High School needs scoreboards for the Baseball and Softball fields. Visitors and players need visual displays of the game stats to help enjoy games held at the fields. (Read more)
Speaker system for 4-H educational programs (Coneuch): The goal of this project is to provide a PA system to the Conecuh County 4-H to utilize during programming. The goal of 4-H is to develop citizenship, leadership, responsibility and life skills of youth through experiential programs and a positive youth development approach. The Conecuh County 4-H is seeking to enhance the 4-H experience for the youth of our county. It is our mission to provide hands-on experiences and learning as an educational method that directly involves the learner, by actively encouraging them to do something in order to learn about it. In short, it is ‘learning by doing’. In order to provide the students of our county with the best possible education, we needed to purchase a PA system that will be utilized with every animal science, S.T.E.M., and after-school event. Prior to purchasing this system, our county had to travel to surrounding counties to borrow PA systems for our programs. By purchasing this system, we were able to provide larger activities this year that involved more children. (Read more)
Super Citizen Program (Clarke, Coneuch, Dallas, Marengo, Monroe, Wilcox): The Liberty Learning Foundation provides civic-engagement programs, Hands on Liberty and Super Citizen, to help schools teach crucial lessons in civics, character, financial literacy and social studies despite school budget cuts. We strive to change the lives of individual students by empowering them to become informed independent thinkers who are motivated to improve their communities. (Read more)
Thomasville Narcotics Unit Intensification Project (Clarke): The Thomasville Police Department Narcotics Unit is a very small drug enforcement unit entrusted with one purpose; to substantially reduce the use and sale of drugs within the Thomasville community. In an effort to increase the number of arrests associated with the sale or use of narcotics the department began to improve, upgrade and intensify the technology available to the unit. This project allowed the unit to purchase much-needed software that has added to the apprehension of drug dealers and their buyers. This technology has provided a level of undercover safety for our officers and surveillance capabilities beyond traditional methods. The successfulness of this equipment has encouraged its use for further years of service. (Read more)
Training Facility Improvements (Wilcox): This project includes repairs and upgrades to the bathroom at Station 1. The walls were scraped and repainted. A new sink and vanity was installed. New tile , light fixture and towel rack were installed. This also includes new canvas art for the walls of the bathroom. The project also included new signage for Station 1 and 2. This will help the public distinguish between the two stations. (Read more)
Tremont Schools Hazardous Materials Investigation/Mitigation (Dallas): The initial phase of this project was to observe probable hazards and document locations inside and outside the building and the nature of the existing hazard. Prior to the new windows and new roof that were completed in prior years, water incursion had caused some mold and mildew. The age of the building and its vacancy since 1968 except for storage made lead-based paint most likely on painted surfaces since paint used prior to 1978 contained lead. Asbestos in insulation and floor tiles were suspected. A visual observation confirmed all the above, as documented in the report and photos from Richard B. Hudgens. Laboratory testing and mitigation procedures will be carried out after the Selma School System finishes removing items stored throughout the basement and parts of the main floor so that all areas are accessible. (Read more)
Youth Leadership Selma-Dallas County (Dallas): Leadership Selma Dallas County is a leadership, community, professional and personal development program with the purpose to create a diverse leadership network of individuals that are able to more effectively serve the needs of Selma-Dallas County. Participants become better acquainted with the leaders in the community and with the development of the community. They learn more about themselves and one another; participate in engaging dialogue, have an opportunity to express ideas; develop core skills and develop and implement a class project that will have a lasting impact on the community. (Read more)