ATHENS-A funding program initiated by the Tennessee Valley Authority during COVID and supported by Athens Electric
is em“powering” community projects for Limestone County.
The program, TVA Cares, aims to support non-profits for programs or projects that meet TVA’s funding
priorities. TVA allocates an amount annually for each local power company’s service area. The local power
company matches it. This morning, TVA and Athens Electric gave out $46,000 to Limestone County non-profits.
TVA’s listed priorities this year are:
Education, in particular STEM related activities.
Workforce development/training.
Environment/community stewardship.
Disaster relief/emergency response.
Health/hunger/housing.
“We have many organizations that work in Athens and Limestone to help our community, and Athens Electric is
honored to assist their efforts,” said Athens Utilities Manager Blair Davis.
For example, one project in Limestone County will help the underinsured get the medicine they need to recover.
Another will fund homemade meals for senior citizens. Students will explore the arts, robotics, reading, career
and life skills, have the opportunity to earn scholarships and obtain laptops to continue their education. Other
projects will combat litter, provide outdoor space and help children who are grieving or those who need
nutritional assistance.
Officials presented the checks on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Athens City Hall. Here is a summary:
Athens Arts League – $1,841 for STEAM projects that utilize the arts to teach math and science as well
as incorporate problem solving, teamwork and career learning.
Athens City Schools Foundation – $2,500 to provide classroom grants to teachers who have STEM
projects, such as technology integration, coding, programming and critical thinking.
Athens Fire & Rescue Auxiliary – $3,200 to teach children about budgeting by shopping with them for
necessities (hygiene items, clothing) along with “wants” through its Shop with a Firefighter Christmas
program.
Athens Limestone Community Association – $2,700 to create a “Legacy Porch” outdoor gathering
space around a historic oak tree at Trinity-Fort Henderson to give the public a place to rest and enjoy
the outdoors while visiting and learning about the site.
Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center – $2,750 to support its Dolly Parton Imagination
Library for birth to 5 years in order to encourage family literacy and learning.
Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation – $3,500 to support its Patient Assistance Program to provide
needed prescriptions and medical items for those who lack insurance or are underinsured.
Boys and Girls Club of Athens – $3,179 to support the all-girls FIRST LEGO League Challenge
Robotics Team by purchasing a 6-8 th grade kit.
Calhoun Community College Foundation – $9,580 to fund two scholarships for those in the utility
linemen program.
Community Table of Athens – $2,000 to create children's bags packed and filled with high nutrition
items above and beyond what parents in need receive and to include educational information about
the importance of nutrition and ways to snack healthy.
Foundation for Aging – $3,750 to provide homemade meals for senior citizens who come to the Athens
Activity Center, which promotes healthy eating and socialization, especially for those who may not have
a family support system.
Full Tummy Project of Athens and Limestone County – $2,500 to provide 675 food bags to families
to supplement grocery needs.
Hospice of Limestone County (Camp Hope) – $1,400 to fund a grief camp for children ages 5-15 who
are dealing with grief in order to teach them coping skills, give them older "buddies" to enhance social
skills and provide indoor and outdoor activities such as crafts, games, writing, etc.
Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful – $1,000 to provide 300 trailer tarps to distribute at the transfer
station to encourage those who use utility trailers to cover their loads to reduce debris and litter blown
onto roadsides, ditches, etc.
Make A Way Foundation – $2,350 to fund T-shirts, take-home projects and instructional material for
STEM programs for individuals with disabilities, allowing participants to do hands-on activities that
promote critical thinking, creativity and problem solving.
MTM Educational Enrichment – $1,750 to provide laptops to scholarship winners to utilize as they
seek a college degree.
United Way of Athens-Limestone County – $2,000 to provide about 20 scholarships to students who
participate in the ACT prep classes, which are taught by a state certified teacher using the Kaplan ACT
prep book.
“This funding will assist our scholarship recipients who are heading to college this month by providing them with
the technology they need, such as laptops,” said MTM Educational Enrichment Director Jan Matthews. “We’re
going shopping for them today.”
Mayor Ronnie Marks commended the organizations represented for the work they are doing to meet needs in
the community.
“These non-profits are providing not only services but also hope,” he said. “The City of Athens appreciates TVA
for starting this program and continuing it, and it is a no brainer for Athens Electric and our City Council to
support it.”
