2007 Ethyl Grants
FRED's Educational Ethyl Grant program is sponsored by Nortel Networks. The FRED Community Development Ethyl Grant program is sponsored in part by Bennet & Bennet, PLLC. Additional funding for the program comes from the FRED Annual Giving Campaign. Now in its fourth year, the Ethyl Grant program provides matching grants to OPASTCO member telephone companies that are involved with projects aimed at bettering their communities. The grants, ranging from $500 - $2,500 are awarded bi-annually in October and May. An estimated $10,000 in funding is available in 2007. Brochures can be downloaded by clicking on the above below.
In 2008, applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and will be reviewed at least three time a year.
2007 Community Development Ethyl Grant Recipients
FairPoint Communications - Mayville, N.Y., nominated Mineral Minds. They will be using the $487.47 grant fund their "Bringing the Outside World Inside." This project sends elementary school students into the community to take digital pictures, and then uploads the photos to LCD photo frames and places the frames in nursing homes. FairPoint Communications as well as other donors will help match this grant.
Geneseo Telephone Company - Geneseo, Il., nominated the Geneseo Chamber of Commerce. The $2,500 grant will be used to help purchase 20 tents for the protection of visitors and crafters at Geneseo's Victorian Walk, the tents will also be used for other community activities. Geneseo Telephone Company will be matching the funds to benefit the community.
Ontonagon County Telephone Company - Ontonagon, Mich., nominated Ontonagon Downtown Development Authority. They will be using the $2,470 grant to help make the downtown area a final destination for visitors. The Town will be adding composite flower planters and benches to the area. The Downtown Development Authority will be matching the grant through fundraising efforts and in-kind donations.
United Farmers Telephone Company - Everly, Ia. nominated the City of Everly. The $2,500 grant will be used for the development of the "Everly Garden of Peace and Hope." The garden will replace the vacant spot that use to be the location of the water tower, and honor those who have served in the nation's military. United Famers Telephone will be donating funds as well as providing employees to assist in the construction of the garden.
2007 Educational Ethyl Grant Recipients
FairPoint Communications - Simla, Colo., nominated the Big Sandy Schools. They will be using the $2,500 grant to help to update the current technology resources for the journalism class. Four desktops will be purchased so that they will run the technology needed for the program. The journalism class is only offered to high school students, but with the upgraded technology the hope is to expand the curriculum to include junior high students.
Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom - Waitsfield, Vt. nominated the R.A.T.C Nest (Richmond Area Teen Center.) The $2,000 grant will be used to help rehab the basement of the Town Center building to create three separate areas for the R.A.T.C. Nest. These areas include a sitting/social area, a computer room, and a game room. The funds will used for construction, materials, equipment and furnishings. Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom are providing employee and financial resources to the project.
2006 October Ethyl Grant Recipients
South Central Telephone Association, Inc. - Medicine Lodge, Kan., nominated the Kiowa District Hospital. They will be using the $2,500 grant to help to update the communications system in the hospital. The goal of the upgrade will help save the clinic and hospital costs of purchasing and installing a new telephone switching system, while still providing the hospital with the newest technology available.
Geneseo Telephone Company - Geneseo, Ill. nominated the Geneseo Camber of Commerce. The $1,790.62 grant will be used to purchase lamp pole banners for the beautification of Downtown Geneseo and extended city entryway. Lamp pole banners are used during the year for citywide beautification and unification. Geneseo Telephone Company will be matching the FRED grant.
Columbus Telephone Company - Columbus, Kan., nominated Columbus Community Foundation. The Foundation received a partial Ethyl Grant in the amount of $709.38, they will use the funds to purchase new metal replicas of the flag ship of Christopher Columbus, the Santa Maria. These ships will help the project "Sprucin' Up Columbus".
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2007 Ethyl Grants