In the midst of tough economic times Chattooga High School teachers have learned to make money for their programs through the use of grant funds. Recently, several CHS organizations were awarded funds to support their endeavors from the Tilloston-Menlo Charitable Foundation. As stated in their mission, “The Tilloston Foundation seeks to support, promote, improve and maintain the health, educational and cultural institutions serving the City of Menlo, Chattooga County and some surrounding areas.” The grant awards financial assistance grants in areas such as educational and individual skills improvement, health care, community enhancement, and the arts, culture and social welfare. When grant applications were being accepted in November of 2010, CHS staff members followed the “ask and ye shall receive” mentality, and quickly submitted all paperwork with high hopes of attaining needed funds to further their purposes.  The CHS staffers were pleased when they learned in December that they were awarded varying amounts of money per their requests. The following CHS faculty were awarded grant funds and are using them accordingly:The CHS baseball team was awarded $15,000 to use towards building storage lockers, buying materials for the new facility at the baseball complex, and various field upgrades. The CHS softball program was awarded $10,000. According to coach Jeff Bennett the funds will be used to upgrade the softball field. Bennett states, “we plan on putting 2 loads of dirt and infield mix on the infield and put in an irrigation system in the outfield.” Claudia Bagley, a teacher in the Career Technology and Instruction (CTI) Department, received funds to send 3 CTI students to the State HOSA Leadership Conference in Athens. The students participated in several leadership activities and learned valuable career building skills.  The CHS Media Center was awarded $1500 which went toward the purchase of new books.

The Tilloston-Menlo Charitable Foundation is a wonderful organization and CHS appreciates the opportunity to build for their future through receiving these funds.