Health Foundation Announces Grants to Fund VFDs, Healthcare, and Education

San Angelo Health Foundation Board Chair Mike Boyd announced that the Foundation has approved grants of $566,885 to fund projects for six area non-profit organizations, including two volunteer fire departments.  Since its inception nineteen years ago, the San Angelo Health Foundation has approved and awarded grants totaling $43,382,244, benefitting the Concho Valley region through funding to approximately 186 organizations for 427 worthy projects.

Grants Committee Chair Marilyn Aboussie said the following applications for funding were approved:  

Angelo State University was awarded $100,000 to support its outreach efforts targeting first generation college students from the Concho Valley.   ASU has partnered with other educational and community organizations to educate students about their options for higher education, navigating admissions criteria, scholarships and financial aid, testing and dual credit opportunities. 

Ballinger Memorial Hospital District was awarded $49,986 for the purchase of a new portable X-ray unit.  The 25-bed critical access hospital serves southern Runnels County with acute care and a swing bed unit.  A Level IV trauma facility, the hospital has two physicians, one physician’s assistant, a new pharmacy and clinic. 

Christoval Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $105,000 toward a new fire truck to serve as a primary response vehicle for traffic accidents, structure fires and rescue situations.  Christoval VFD has been in operation since 1983 and currently averages 80 calls each year. 

East Concho Volunteer Fire Department was awarded $49,944 to expand its existing fire house.  The 28-member department was begun in 1999, covers 250 square miles and averages 60 calls per year. 

Howard College San Angelo was awarded $217,341 to provide technology for its new expansion project.  The College’s fall 2013 enrollment was 2,522.  The new Academic Building is scheduled to be available for the coming fall semester with the Student Service Center open in October 2014. 

United Way of the Concho Valley was awarded $44,614 to provide books addressing bullying and how children should accept “no” as an answer to all SAISD Kindergarten classrooms and students.  The reading prevention program, a coordinated effort with our schools and the Children’s Advocacy Center, is designed to aid parents and teachers in training children to handle life’s situations while the child is young enough to benefit fully.