ATHENS-Supporting at-risk students, providing healthcare equipment and assisting recycling services are among the locally-based initiatives receiving money through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Community Care Fund.
TVA partnered with local power companies like Athens Utilities to provide funds to support local initiatives that address hardships created by the COVID-19 pandemic. TVA allocated $20,000 for Limestone County, and Athens Utilities allocated $20,000 from the Electric Department’s marketing budget.
TVA in a recent press release said the Care funds give local power companies the opportunity to identify organizations working to help sustain and improve the quality of life in the Valley and support economic recovery.
“In the spirit of public power, we are honored to partner with local power companies to address the unprecedented challenges facing those we serve,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA executive vice president and chief external relations officer. “TVA has a mission of service to make life better for the people of the Valley, and providing these funds to address immediate needs is one way we can help ease the burdens on families and communities.”
Non-profit agencies in Limestone County applied for the Care funds. Athens Utilities and TVA reviewed the applications and approved the following projects:
Tere Richardson on behalf of Athens Main Street and on behalf of Limestone County Churches Involved
Limestone County Churches Involved
$3,000
Seen a 68 percent increase in food distribution since COVID-19. Last few weeks, 50 percent of clients are new. This funding would help assist clients in paying overdue utility bills.
Athens Main Street
$1,250
To restore unexpected expenses used to assist businesses during COVID-19, such as curbside pickup signs, and the loss of funding from the inability to hold the organization’s membership drive (usually held this time of year).
Tina Cook with the Family Resource Center
Family Resource Center
$1,250
To support its Family Solutions Program that is growing during COVID-19; helps families with financial resources, mentoring and setting up short- and long-term goals to address their unique situation.
Tina Cook with the Family Resource Center
Learn-to-Read
$1,500
After School Tutoring Program to assist elementary and middle school children performing below grade level. Will work in the upcoming school year with students who fell behind during COVID-19.
Lynne Hart on behalf of Athens-Limestone Recycling Center
Athens-Limestone Recycling Center
$10,000
Had to close during COVID-19. Could not get state inmate labor to operate facility. Losing revenue because it cannot accept/sell materials (loss of 90,000 pounds of material a week). Serves 24 schools, 350 businesses and 31 collection trailers in the county. Will help the center reopen when inmate labor is available.
Caroline Canestrari and Mark Dunham with Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation
Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation
$10,000
COVID-19 has shown a need for respirator hygiene stations at hospital entrances, a portable ultraviolet light surface disinfecting device, and mortuary chiller to hold patients who expire since hospital does not have morgue space. This will help us address some of these needs.
Caroline Canestrari and Mark Dunham with Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation
Limestone County Schools
$10,000
Identified 292 at-risk students without internet access during COVID-19. Will hold summer camps to help them catch up on reading, math, etc. Funds will pay part of the cost to provide these students access to devices and secure Internet.
Suzanne Rainey with Boys and Girls Club
Boys and Girls Club of Athens
$3,000
Seeing an increase in its meal/snack program and educational outreach due to COVID-19. Funds will help pay to feed children, scholarships for new children to participate at the Club, and technology improvements to provide tutoring assistance.
TVA mailed its portion of funding to the agencies. Today (May 27) at Athens City Hall, Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks with Athens Electric Manager Blair Davis presented each agency a check for its portion.
“Our employees are part of the community we serve, and we see the needs in our community, and we see agencies like these working to meet those needs,” Davis said. “Athens Electric is honored to partner with TVA to assist in our local recovery.”
Mayor Marks commended the agencies receiving funds for being advocates who do more than point out a need.
“Each of you raise money and work with staff and volunteers with the goal of enhancing Athens and Limestone County by meeting the physical, educational and quality of life needs of our citizens,” Marks said. “You are an example of what it means to walk the walk.”
Tina Cook, executive director of the Family Resource Center, said her agency is thankful for “the generosity of TVA and Athens Utilities to help us assist local residents.”
Caroline Canestrari with the Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation said the funding will “make a huge difference for Athens-Limestone Hospital.”
