“Growing” THS Tiger Band (): Our Goal was to purchase an ice machine for band room to provide much needed ice during band camp and ball games. With the THS Tiger Band growth, It was important to purchase extra uniforms for the new students. (Read more)
Blackbelt Health Improvement Project (B.H.I.P.) (Dallas): Our Blackbelt Health Improvement Project includes a life style training program that teach participants proper nutritional eating habits, appropriate exercises, how to manage and prevent diabetes, and other chronic diseases. Also, our project includes a community gardens that raises fresh fruits and vegetables that are sold at the local farmer’s market. Equally important, our program purchase fruits and vegetables from local producers, local grocery stores, and State of Alabama Farmer’s Market vendors that are located in Montgomery and Birmingham , Alabama. In our project, we used local persons that helped with the farm as laborers in tilling, planting and all aspects of gardening. We raised watermelons, squash, cantaloupes, corn, peas, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, peppers, and okra. All of these items were sold at the local farmer’s market as long as they were produced but due to the drought, we had to purchase most of our fruits and vegetables from other farmers, stores, and farmer’s market vendors. (Read more)
Blackbelt Mobile Pantry – Perry (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)
Boys & Girls Club of SW Alabama (Clarke): To purchase and stock up on much needed supplies for the club as we have had to cut way back on spending since the pandemic started in March of this year. (Read more)
Child Abuse Prevention Training & Mandatory Reporter Training (): As a result of working with child abuse victims and their families over the last 10 years, the Central Alabama Regional Child Advocacy Center determined that a significant impact could be made on the rampant problem of child abuse by conducting Mandatory Reporter Trainings and Child Abuse Prevention trainings and events throughout the year. With the help of grant funding from AlaTom RC&D, trainings are offered free of charge to child serving organizations and school systems throughout the region. Pinwheel Garden Plantings (awareness events) are conducted in each county and numerous educational messages and prevention oriented activities are shared with news outlets and on social media, with a special emphasis on the month of April, Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. (Read more)
Children’s Art Workshops and Art Show (Choctaw): The Children’s Art Workshop provides county students the opportunity to participate in ab Arts Workshop which will teach basic arts education, including various mediums (acrylics, water colors, etc.) and allow them to have “hands on” experience in painting with instructors to help guide them through the process to a finished product. The project provided the students with all the materials and supplies needed yo complete their project and then after the projects are finished will be on display at an art show featuring their projects. (Read more)
Collection Development: Educational Resources (Marengo): This project enabled the Demopolis Public Library to buy educational resources that helped us meet the needs of children, teens and adults in our community. We used funds to purchase test preparations books for the GED, ACT, GRE, and ASVAB Military Exam. We also purchased a set of DVD’s that help students with study skills and test taking skills. We purchased books that helped our pre-school and school aged children develop early literacy skills. We were able to purchase some non-fiction common core books for children in grades K-8. Having access to and reading non fiction books helps students develop their background knowledge, which accounts for as much as 33% in student achievement. We also purchased eBooks and digital audiobooks for children and adults. (Read more)
Drone Environmental Assessment Project (): Perry County has had several natural disasters, including flooding, tornados and tropical storms. The highway department, along with Perry County EMA, has always been there to clean up the damage and open the roadways. Having an accurate assessment of the damage is imperative to ensure necessary resources are distributed. The equipment we intend to purchase will be used to inspect storm damage, bridges, large culverts, and construction projects throughout Perry County. Having the ability to quickly assess storm damage and the progress of construction projects will save time, money, and improve the efficiency of the Perry County Highway Department. (Read more)
Education Outreach (Clarke, Coneuch, Monroe, Washington, Wilcox): November 7 and 8 2019, 1,555 students from Monroe, Baldwin, Clark, Conecuh, Escambia, Washington and Wilcox counties attended a two-day event at Rikard’s Mill in Beatrice, Alabama. The students experienced living history demonstrations and saw how rural Alabamians lived many years ago. They observed a working gristmill, blacksmith shop, cane syrup making, candle making, a potter making vessels at his wheel and other demonstrations. The demonstrators were all dressed in period clothing and the students were able to see first-hand what pioneer life was like. (Read more)
Excel School (Monroe): We bought new rugs from Central Supply, Lee Fore installed two hand rails. The handrails were purchased from Deas Building supply. (Read more)
Forestry- It’s Who We Are (Choctaw): This project served as an opportunity to promote the forestry industry, Choctaw County’s most vital sector, to local high-school students soon entering the workforce and the community at-large (Read more)
Helwestern Fire thermal camera/ medical equipment (Clarke): By receiving this grant we we able to purchase, 2 AED’s & cpr equipment, we were also able to purchase 2 thermal imaging cameras, traffic cones,& help pay for a new generator for our fire truck all items will great assets to our community & will help us better serve the people of the Helwestern community. (Read more)
Rise Up RAms (): The project “Rise Up Rams” was created for the purpose of providing students with opportunities with the opportunities to increase their technology skills. Students were allowed to use Ipads acquired by the grant to improve their coding skills, learn to complete project-based learning activities, and improve their academic skills by interacting with web-based learning activities. (Read more)
Smile-A-Mile’s Regional Programming – ALA TOM (): The purpose of this project was to provide year-round meaningful programs for children and families impacted by childhood cancer. Specifically, the funds for this project were used to support the participation of individuals within the nine-county ALA-TOM region. (Read more)
St Stephens Nutrition Center (Washington): This grant was used to help purchase a storage building for the nutrition center. We needed storage for extra tables and chairs plus other items that are not used every day. (Read more)
Stem Agricultural Center (Clarke): Jackson Middle School (JMS), a Title I school in Clarke County, AL, is creating innovative learning opportunities for its students (grades 6-8) through the development of a STEM and career exploration program to be housed in the historic 7th grade wing of our school. Currently known as the STEM Wing, this area will be a learning zone where core curriculum subject matter and career exploration will be studied in a collaborative context using STEM applications for delivery of educational concepts. Using a cross-sector approach, the designated research and maker spaces in the STEM Wing will allow teachers, community mentors, and local industry leaders to reach a broad range of students using a variety of tools and advanced technology with project-based lessons to enhance cross-curricular studies. Through this program we will create opportunities for deeper investigations through related academic teams, clubs, and service organizations such as Aggie Robotics and Aggie Acres, our school garden and greenhouse program. To increase student interests in STEM related fields, especially underserved and underrepresented students who make up most of our student body To provide project-based, hands on learning opportunities for enhancing core curriculum instruction To expose students and other visitors to career pathways, Alabama industries, (Read more)
Time for Tech (Coneuch): Time for Tech is a fun, hands-on approach to teach students at Sparta Academy Math, Science, Social Studies and phonics for a technology-rich environment. This form of technology will also allow students to connect to other classrooms to expand the learning environment. (Read more)
Upgrades for Choctaw County Rescue Squad (Choctaw): This project will be for getting needed equipment for the Rescue Squad to better serve the community. (Read more)
WCHNH CareVan for Rural Medical Outreach (Washington): Washington County Hospital & Nursing Home prides itself in being an award winning hospital for excellence in health care. Despite all of the recent improvements to the facility and services, in rural areas like ours, providing quality healthcare within the hospital walls is often not enough. The Nursing Home in particular is always looking for new ways to provide the best quality of life to senior citizen residents who depend upon WCHNH for daily care and activities. WCHNH has gone above and beyond to bring in cultural programs, recreational activities, and educational enrichment for the enjoyment of the residents of the Nursing Home. However, many residents have expressed a desire to “get out” and get involved in the many fun and beneficial activities offered throughout the community. As a result, the CareVan project was initiated. The CareVan will provide transportation to and from doctor appointments. It will also provide residents with opportunities for shopping trips, eating out, and participation in community events and activities. WCHNH thanks Ala-Tom RC&D Council for playing a role making this possible for our residents. (Read more)