PARCHMENT, Mich.–Advia Credit Union’s Advia Foundation recently awarded three community organizations in Wisconsin and Michigan with Advancing Lives Grants totaling $6,000.
Projects receiving grants include Seeds of Hope in Elkhorn, Wis.; Avoca Elementary School in Avoca, Mich.; and Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project in Plainwell, Mich.
Seeds of Hope
The mission statement of Seeds of Hope in Elkhorn, Wisconsin is “We Plant Possibilities” and they do just that. A horticultural and recreational community that brings new growth opportunities to adults with developmental and other disabilities, their program focuses primarily on providing these individuals with unique opportunities after high school graduation, particularly as it relates to horticultural and vocational skills training.
The Advancing Lives Grant being awarded to Seeds of Hope is going towards their horticulture program, with funds being used for seeds and plant materials for cultivating plants to be sold at local Farmer’s Markets.
Avoca Elementary School
When Avoca Elementary School in Avoca, Mich. wanted to improve its outdoor space to meet the challenges created by the current Covid-19 mandates, they turned to the community for assistance.
“Students and staff will regularly benefit from the space development, as it will allow for comfortable, socially distanced outdoor instruction without the implications of PPE mandates,” said Megan Yelle, principal of Avoca Elementary School.
The Advancing Lives Grant being awarded to Avoca Elementary School will go towards helping to create and properly equip this outdoor space as a high-tech, socially distanced learning space.
Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project
The Advia Foundation is continuing to support a vital community organization, the Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project in Plainwell, Mich.
This organization provides food, personal hygiene and paper products, and gifts for children 17 and under in financially struggling families within the Plainwell School District.
The Advancing Lives Grant being awarded to Plainwell Volunteer Christmas Project will be used to purchase food and toys for the 2021 donation boxes.
“This round of Advancing Lives Grants really demonstrated the mission of the Advia Foundation – to further education and improve overall quality of life within our communities,” said Alanna Congdon, secretary of the Advia Foundation. “We look forward to seeing the completed projects of these remarkable community organizations.”