Supplemental Classroom Grant Funds Available
Educators: Apply Before August 15 To Be Eligible To Win A Digital Camera
For Immediate Release
Contact: Renee Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, (828) 758-2383 ext. 3213; Pager:1-800-471-1323; or E-mail: Renee Whitener
Lenoir, North Carolina (July 24, 2003) – Educators who apply now for Bright Ideas grants totaling $18,000 being awarded by Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation for the 2003-2004 school year may be awarded more than a grant. “Early bird” educators who submit applications before August 15th will also be eligible to win a digital camera.
Bright Ideas grants provide public school educators and principals in grades kindergarten through 12th grade with funding of up to $2,000 per grant for innovative classroom projects that benefit students and would not otherwise be covered by the school budget. Bright Ideas has helped bring to area classrooms a variety of hands-on learning projects, including activities in music, art, history, language, reading, science, math, and information technology. Proposals can come from any area of the curriculum. Projects which receive awards must be demonstrated to directly benefit students, provide on-going benefits, and use innovative teaching methods.
Blue Ridge Electric, which awards the grants in conjunction with North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), is in its eleventh year of providing Bright Ideas grants as part of its support of local education in the communities it serves. To date, the cooperative has awarded over 198 grants worth $158,000 to benefit over 50,000 students. Bright Ideas reflects Blue Ridge Electrics’ commitment to community and support of local education.
The winner of the “early bird” incentive drawing for the digital camera will notified August 20.
The final deadline for applications is September 30. Applications and full details of the Bright Ideas program can be found at www.BlueRidgeEMC.com or ncbrightideas.com. Applications can also be printed off and mailed to Blue Ridge Electric. Mailed applications must be postmarked by September 30 and addressed to Grey Scheer, director of community relations, PO Box 112, Lenoir, NC 28645.
Blue Ridge Electric, a not-for-profit electric cooperative, is affiliated with Touchstone Energy and serves over 65,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Alexander, and Wilkes counties.
