Conference Center

Impact Alamance invests $388,000 in community projects

Impact Alamance is pleased to announce a total of $388,000 of funding to strategically improve the health of Alamance County.  Seventeen nonprofit and community agencies in Alamance County were awarded funds designed to increase access to healthy foods and physical activity, or to enhance programs outside of Impact Alamance’s strategic priority funding areas.

The investments are the result of the foundation’s first competitive funding cycle and further the foundation’s mission to strategically invest in Alamance County’s hope, health and prosperity.  “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with our local non-profits and community organizations,” says Impact Alamance President, Tracey Grayzer.  “Our goal is to enhance the outreach and services they provide and these projects demonstrate their sincere commitment to the health and well-being of Alamance County,” she adds.

The following investments were approved by the Impact Alamance board of directors on June 8.

Building Healthy Environments – Investments to  increase access to physical activity and healthy foods.

Alamance County Parks and Recreation Department ($35,000) – Funds to purchase a new, safe and high quality playground structure for the Eli Whitney Recreation Center.

Burlington Development Corporation ($21,000) – Funds to Increase access to healthy food and physical activity by creating four community gardens, provide fitness equipment and cooking equipment for 972 residents that live in Burlington Housing Authority.

Healthy Alamance ($40,000) – Funds to build a permanent structure for a Farmer’s Market at Mayco Bigelow Center in Burlington and install an ATM machine within the park’s main building.  This will  increase healthy foods  access for customers wishing to pay in cash and to provide a revenue source for farmers.

Holy Comforter ($48,930) – Funds to provide indoor and outdoor physical activity equipment for the underserved community surrounding the church through numerous programs including Parents as Teachers, the Incredible Years and a new multi-cultural playschool.

Positive Attitude Youth Center (PAYC) ($25,325) –Funds to develop a walking trail, a community garden and  purchase physical activity/sports equipment for members and families of PAYC.  The walking trail will be open to the community.

Salvation Boys and Girls Club ($22,436) -Funds to provide an athletic program to participants and neighborhood children.  Funds will be used to equip an athletic field with bleachers, benches, storage shed, backstop net, sports equipment and supplies.

Special Olympics ($10,000) – Funds to purchase equipment that will increase the variety of athletic activities offered by Special Olympics for severely disabled participants.

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church ($25,000) – Funds to build a new playground, walking track and basketball courts for surrounding neighborhoods and church members who have limited access to safe play areas.

Sustainable Alamance ($7,500) – Funds to replace aging farming equipment with new equipment (tillers, mowers, etc.) to expand current farming capabilities in Burlington urban farming initiative.

YMCA ($5,000) – Funds to purchase a commercial style refrigerator/freezer in order to store healthy food and beverages to children who participate in afterschool and summer programs.

Walter M. Williams High School Parent Teacher Student Organization ($2,935) – Funds to purchase exercise equipment and an aeroponics system for use in the Autistic student classroom at WHS.

Impact in Action Funding – Investments in supplies and equipment to improve community health or enhance current programs.

Alamance County Health Department ($7,000) – Funds to secure car seats, sleep sacks, pack-n-plays, crib sheets and other safe baby equipment.  Items will incent women served in the prenatal clinic to attend classes and keep prenatal appointments. Equipment will also serve parents of premature infants who deliver at Alamance Regional Medical Center and do not have a car seat.

Alamance County Public Libraries ($7,000) – Funds to implement up to 10 little libraries for children, families, and adults throughout Alamance County. The permanent structures will increase access to reading materials for  individuals that may not frequent the brick and mortar library locations.

Children’s Museum of Alamance ($4,500) – Funds to enhance the museum’s restaurant exhibit designed  to  teach children and families about correct portions sizes and different types of nutritious food.

Friends of Alamance County Public Libraries ($7,000) – Funds to implement Alamance Reads Jr., for children age 5-12.  Funds will be used to purchase books for students across our county for the first Alamance Reads Jr.

Open Door Clinic ($50,000) – Funds to purchase dental equipment and supplies for a free adult dental clinic for the uninsured.

Positive Attitude Youth Center ($9,500) – Funds to purchase supplies, a smart board, computer, printer and art supplies programs to enhance current program offerings.

Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club ($33,000) – Funds to purchase a new bus for the Boys and Girls Club’s afterschool and summer programs serving 90 youth per day.

YMCA ($32,000) – Funds to purchase busses to allow the YMCA to transport up to 160 additional children per day in its summer and afterschool programs.