On May 17th, Tammy Brinker, Executive Director of HCEF, provided a report of some of the programs the Foundation has supported during the 2015-2016 school year. More than 50 grants from $100 – $10,000 have been awarded to various classroom projects and programs in addition to more than 100 additional grants for classroom supplies. Brinker stated 150 classrooms were “adopted”, with donations of $25 – $750 being distributed to classrooms. Among other projects listed was the recently opened Tools for Schools Store, where teachers can “shop” for supplies for their classroom at no cost. Brinker also noted that the HCEF received a $10,000 grant for a robotics lab for a local high school.
Brinker stated HCEF awards scholarships to teachers and students. Suncoast Credit Union has donated more than $100,000 to local schools in the past year. Three students received $2,000 scholarships from Suncoast Credit Union. For the second year, the Bob and Mary Sierra Family Foundation awarded two $10,000 scholarships.