Fort Bend Cares Grants Over $160,000 to 22 Area Charities

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The numbers are big. Over 20,000 disadvantaged children and youth in Fort Bend County will be helped in some way through $160,110 in grants to 22 area non-profits. Fort Bend Cares assembled the charities, volunteers and key sponsors for its annual grant reception on Monday, June 9th at Silver Eagle Distributors in Rosenberg to give out the awards.

Everyone was on hand to celebrate Fort Bend Cares’ work the last 10 years in the community, ultimately granting just over $1.2 million since inception. The organization’s thorough grants process still remains at a unique grass-roots level, engaging almost 40 community volunteers. Grants Committee Chairperson Robert Coffman said, “The committee did a lot of research and had to make many tough decisions. They are diligent so as to ensure their recommendations to the Board of Trustees have been examined carefully and thoughtfully.”

Some of the local non-profits that received grants included Pooh’s Panda Special Needs Academy for summer camp and childcare for children with special needs and their siblings and Knowledge First Empowerment Center for its drop-out prevention program and GED prep classes for those who have already dropped out of school.

The Rosenberg Railroad Museum was awarded the Founders Grant, now in its second year. The grant is named after co-founders Dr. Robert McClendon and Jim Rice. It will help the museum provide free educational programming and field trips for Title 1 schools in Fort Bend.

“So many valuable organizations do so much important work in Fort Bend County assisting the children, youth and families that may need help, and ultimately strengthening our community as a whole,” said Fort Bend Cares Executive Director Angie Wierzbicki.

Board Chairperson Walt White added, “We are excited to be able to support these dedicated charities by helping to bridge the gap. We couldn’t do it without our business sponsors, individual donors and volunteers. And we can’t wait to increase the support to the hard-working non-profits next year.”

Fort Bend Cares raises money for the grants through a variety of events and individual contributions. Its signature event, “Road Trip,” is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th, 2015 at Fluor in Sugar Land and brings in the most funds. The organization is looking for sponsors and volunteers for this event and other activities. To get involved, contact Wierzbicki at 832-819-2005 or angie@fortbendcares.org.

For a full list of grant recipients and more information on Fort Bend Cares, visit www.fortbendcares.org.