The Foundation of First United Church, 207 W. Horah St., recently awarded $50,000 in grants benefitting non-profit community organizations.
Established in 1997 through an initial gift of the Edwin Alcorn Family, the foundation has distributed a total of $264,475 since its inception. Earnings are distributed annually to deserving groups that represent the mission and ministry of First Church.
According to Chairman Diane Goodnight, the recent distribution was the largest in the foundation’s history. The church hosted representatives of the following beneficiaries for the presentation ceremony and shared the intended use of each for the monies received.
– Catawba College Lily Center: Support for service projects and activities benefiting the community
– Catawba College Center for the Environment: Speaker fees for Conference and Forum
– Catawba College Choral Scholars Program: Four music scholarships
– Evangelical & Reformed Historical Soc., Southern Chapter: Publishing hardcover history of E&R Churches
– United Church Homes and Services: Renovation of Beauty Shop for residents
– Abundant Living Adult Day Care: Special bed for individuals afflicted with dementia
– Center for Faith & the Arts: Operating capital
– Hood Seminary: Supplement Annual Scholarships
– Rowan Co. Literacy Council: Supplemental reading material for new readers
– Rowan Helping Ministries: Two months supply of food for the pantry
– Rowan Regional Medical Center Foundation: ER care of uninsured
– Rufty-Holmes Sr. Center: Supplement operating budget
Community Care Clinic: Diabetic supplies
– Elizabeth H. Dole Chapter, American Red Cross: Assistance for victims of home fires
– Johns River Valley Camp: Summer camping scholarships, equipment upgrades and new program initiatives.
– Piedmont Players Theatre: Funds for new children’s theater
– Salisbury-Rowan Symphony: Scholarships for after- school program
– Lancaster Theological Seminary: Drs. Ken and Betty Sell gift designation
– Meals on Wheels of Rowan: subsidize deficit meal costs for homebound
– West Rowan Bible Teaching Association: Bible history teacher salary support
First UCC-Salisbury groups receiving grants were:
– Christian Education Committee: Sight and sound media improvements for Bible school; mission trip 2009; Sunday school classroom improvements
– Five-Alive Outreach: crises assistance in Rowan County
– First UCC Church Women: Supplement bereavement meals
– First UCC Landscaping/Beautification: beautification of church property (Designated by Dr. and Mrs. Elmer Lagg)
– The Williard Fisher Building Maintenance Fund: perpetual maintenance of church property
Other members of the foundation board are Greg Alcorn, vice chairman; Dan Dagenhart, treasurer; Sandy Wagoner, secretary; Dr. Elmer Lagg, trustee; Mark Sokolowski, Jeff Morgan and Rev. Michael Childress.