Grants Fund Local Projects

Grants awarded from the Grand Blanc Community Fund Advisory Committee helped fund several projects this year. We are grateful to local donors whose gifts helped fund the following initiatives. FISH, Inc., an organization that helps the needy in the area, was awarded two grants.

The Christmas Basket Program will be funded in part by a $3,000 grant from the Grand Blanc Community Fund (GBCF) and the Grand Blanc Youth Initiative Program Fund (GBYIPF). The program provides food for at least a week and a wrapped,personalized present for all children in the family. The goal is to bring happy faces on children on Christmas morning. In addition, the Helen Dennis Family Fund supported FISH, Inc.'s general operations with a $3,709 grant.

A $10,337 grant was advised to the City of Grand Blanc for renovations at McFarlen Library. Over 12,000 square feet of new carpet was installed, but that was the easy part. Moving stacks and stacks of books, all while keeping the library open during installation, required additional expertise and equipment. Disruptions were kept to a minimum while the library was divided into zones for the work to be completed.

The Grand Blanc Parks & Recreation Commission received a $20,000 grant from the GBCF, GBYIPF, the Helen Dennis Family Fund and the Dr. Leonard and Mary Jane Dunworth Fund. To meet the growing demand for field use, the Commission is constructing two multi-purpose fields, complete with irrigation and parking. Once completed, the fields will provide practice, game and tournament opportunities for multiple sports including soccer, lacrosse, football, ultimate Frisbee and rugby. Phase I construction began at Creasey Bicentennial Park this year.