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Oak Grove gets grant

By CAROLYN CARY
ccary@TheCitizenNews.com

The Oak Grove Elementary After-School Program received a $1,000 grant from the United Way, through its “Great Idea” fund. The grant was achieved through the efforts of several fifth-graders and interested parents. The money will be used to purchase equipment to create a center where the older children in the program can work on homework, tutor younger children and just decompress after a hard day at school.

Robert Kurbes, a fifth-grade parent, is one of the authors of the grant proposal. He described the goals of the group, called “Parents and Kids Together,” to increase interest and participation by fifth graders in the after school program, to improve behavior patterns of the children already involved, and to produce better grades for all children who take advantage of the center.

Students, parents and members of the after-school staff worked together to craft the grant application. Students gave up personal time and playtime to work on the project.

Ricky Rodriquez, a parent and an officer of The Bank of Georgia, offered his services to help them set up an account through which the students will manage the money.

Don Phillips, president emeritus of the Fayette County United Way Advisory Board, explained that one of the United Way’s major goals was to promote safe communities. “Through the After School Program and various enhancements made available such as the Great Idea Grants, United Way is able to provide enriching and safe programs for the children of Fayette County,” he said.

“I think it’s nice we’re doing this for the kids in the After School Program, especially the fourth- and third-graders,” said fifth-grader Ricky Colon. “It will help them even after we are gone."