Nearly $18K to benefit area

SANDUSKY — The Erie County Community Foundation recently awarded and distributed nearly $18,000 in charitable youth advisory council grants to 16 separate nonprofits and organizations. The foundation's youth advisory council consists of 14 junior- and senior-level students from area high schools: Edison, Huron, Margaretta, Perkins, Sandusky, Sandusky Central Catholic and Vermilion. Students learn about community needs and philanthropy within their two-year terms. This year's council prioritized proposals involving mental health, job training, childcare, youth programming, healthy food access, Lake Erie waterway preservation, senior support and animal welfare. Individual grants range from $250 to $2,000, are for one year and must serve Erie County residents. The council receives annual funding for its grantmaking program from the foundation and its partners. This program covers a variety of needs throughout Erie County, including arts and humanities, community development, education, environment, health and social services,and youth services. Among this year's recipients: • Back to the Wild received about $2,000 to ensure carnivore diets for wildlife rehab patients and ambassadors • Boots to Grasses Therapeutic Horsemanship Program received about $400 for operational costs • Campbell Christian Community Center received $1,000 for The Dignity Project, which builds confidence, provides self-care and helps its community grow strong • Cancer Services received $1,000 for children care • Care and Share of Erie County received $1,600 for its Keeping It Clean program • Erie County Agricultural Society received $1,200 for protective cages for 4-H static displays at the Erie County Fair • Erie County public defender's office received $1,500 for Project Strength • Family Health Services received $1,100 for the McKeen Pharmacy capacity expansion • Harbourtown Fine Arts Center received $1,700 for the sixth-annual Inclusive Summer Theatre Camp • Humane Society of Erie County received $1,500 for the humane trap initiative • Huron Public Library received $450 for resources for summer reading and related programs • Obediah's Hope: An Equine Ministry of First Christian Church received $600 for its bits and bridles and saddle pads program • Road to Hope received $500 for Road to Hope Peer Transportation Model • The Parkvue Community received $1,250 for its Parkvue Pals program • The Vermilion Salvation received $750 for backpacks, bags and personal hygiene products • Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church Youth Group received $1,200 for supplying those in need through a blessing box