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The Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council, a program of the Scott County Community Foundation, awarded $5,000 in grants to youth-related projects in the community at an annual dinner held June 9 at Mid-America Science Park.

  • Austin Middle School received $800 for ?Community Social Skills.? Students with special needs will gain experience in everyday activities involving social interaction by visiting local restaurants.
  • Lexington Good Faith Preschool received $800 for crafts and supplies to serve children in Lexington Township who attend the free preschool.
  • Scott County Family YMCA received $750 for an art program for summer camp youth. Students will create art for MaterFest and the county fair, as well as learn photography skills.
  • Scott County Special Olympics received $800 to purchase equipment and supplies to continue growing the program in Scott County.
  • Scottsburg Kiwanis Club received $600 to expand the Bringing Up Grades program to Vienna-Finley Elementary. The BUG program provides incentives for third graders to improve their grades.
  • United Way of Scott County received $800 for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, which provides free books for children every month from birth through age five.
  • Vienna-Finley Elementary School received $374 to start a new jump rope team, which will encourage fitness and other social skills.

?We granted money to well-deserving clubs and organizations this year,? said grants committee chairperson Alexa Howser. ?Our community will have some new and exciting things to offer.?

Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council officers and committee chairpersons were also recognized. Voting members of the YGC include Carmen Boley, Brandon Boswell, Lindsey Boswell, Josiah Croasdell, Justice Gabbard, Braden Hale, Alexa Howser, Evan Howser, Isaak Mount, Kaleb Mount, Haley Mullins, Tori Rone, Jordan Shuler, Braxton Soloe, Emma Waskom, Caleb White and Tyler White of Scottsburg High School; Miranda Baker, Elle Fleenor, Eliza Mount, Scottsburg Middle School; Lauren Turner of Turner Academy Homeschool; and Lyndie Foster, homeschooled.

Officers are Kaleb Mount, president; Lindsey Boswell, vice president; Lauren Turner, secretary; and Brandon Boswell, treasurer. Committee chairpersons include Jordan Shuler and Carmen Boley, asset development; Alexa Howser, grants; Evan Howser, community service; and Isaak Mount, governance.

In addition, due to the overwhelming response of students who wished to serve on the YGC, the community service committee was expanded several years ago and membership was opened to anyone who wished to serve. The committee performs monthly service projects throughout the community, such as stocking shelves at the Clearinghouse, bowling for Big Brothers Big Sisters, assembling water purification kits for New Life International, placing flags on veterans? gravesites for Memorial Day and much more. Members on this committee include Derek Everhart, Jordan Gibson, Trevor Johnson and Jakeb Watters of Austin High School; Jaylyn Cross, Emily Justice and Brinley Soloe of Lexington Elementary; Gavin Borden, Hannah Brown, Gavin Collins, Hannah Dickerson, Jameson Hale, Dylan Hancock, Ryan Howser, Ally Justice, Avery Kendall, Patrick Lincoln, Izzy Myszak, Lyla Waskom and Alex Witt of Scottsburg Middle School; Abby Doriot of Vienna-Finley Elementary School; Jonas Br?utigam, Makalynn Brown, Sara Edwards of Scottsburg High School.

Graduating seniors were also honored for their service. They include Carmen Boley, Brandon Boswell, Derek Everhart, Braden Hale, Braxton Soloe and Tyler White. Carmen, Brandon and Braxton were part of the very first class of YGC members who started as fifth grade students, finishing with eight years of service. Tyler White was honored with the Goody Two-Shoes award for volunteering the most hours to the YGC.

Youth not involved with the YGC were also honored for their philanthropic service to Scott County. Fidelina and Isabela Diaz were named the recipients of the 2015 Helping Hand Award for their fundraising efforts to help Bo Meagher, who is fighting leukemia. Emily Gabbard was named the runner-up for her Christmas Caps fundraiser to raise money for the American Cancer Society in honor of her dad.

?I think it is incredible that YGC members have volunteered over 787 hours to the community in less than a year!? said Scott County Community Foundation Executive Director Jaime Toppe. ?These youth are extremely busy with school, church, work and other clubs, yet they still find time to give back. I couldn?t be more proud with everything they?ve accomplished and the positive exposure they continue to bring to our community. We are so blessed to have these young philanthropists in Scott County!?

For more information on the Scott County Youth Grantmaking Council please call 752-2057 or email info@www.scottcountyfoundation.org. You may also stop in the office at 60 N. Main St., Scottsburg, or visit the website at www.www.scottcountyfoundation.org or www.facebook.com/ScottCountyYGC. Additional photos may be viewed on the Facebook page.

All donations to their endowment funds to make youth grants possible are being matched fifty cents for every dollar through a grant from Lilly Endowment. Your tax-deductible contribution can be mailed to the Community Foundation at PO Box 25; Scottsburg, IN 47170.