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OEC Foundation Grants Over $47,000 to Meet Local Needs
The OEC Foundation, Inc. met virtually in May to disburse funds through the Operation Round Up® program. As a result, the board of directors granted $46,606 to local nonprofit organizations across OEC's service area and $600 for dentures to an individual.
"We are thrilled to continue helping the homeless teens of our community who depend on Bridges of Norman for support," said Foundation President Alan Davenport.
The Foundation granted Bridges of Norman $15,000 for student expenses related to education, health, job support and housing, in addition to the newly opened student outreach and resource center known as The Spot. The goal of the Bridges program is to assist students by removing barriers to graduation, which includes help with food, clothing, shelter and medical needs. No other program in the area currently exists duplicating these services, and because Bridges students are not in the juvenile justice or child welfare systems, without help they would fall through the cracks.
Bridges serves about 51 students per year, with about 20 per semester living on-site, and the rest in scattered housing. They are a United Way of Norman agency with additional funding provided by rental income, grants and community donations.
Other organizations receiving grants included The United Way of Norman ($8,000 for its ABC School Supply program), Make-A-Wish Oklahoma ($7,500 for wish fulfillment for children within OEC's service area), Cavett Kids Foundation/Camp Cavett ($6,675 for transportation to camp if camp occurs), The Virtue Center ($3,435 to update equipment, i.e. laptops, web cams and head sets), The Eden Clinic,Inc. ($3,000 for medical supplies and lab fees), and Chickasha Fire and EMS ($2,996 for thermal imaging cameras).
"We continue to be grateful to the thousands of OEC members who round up their electric bills each month to the nearest dollar and allow us to help so many people," said Davenport.
Applications submitted by June 22 will be reviewed at the next meeting, scheduled for July 9. Contact Education and Outreach Programs Director Tory Tedder-Loffland at ORU@okcoop.org or 405- 217-6726 for questions regarding the program or application process.
