Irving Oil Awards $60,000 to Six Community Organizations through Its Community Fuel Grant Program
Each organization earns up to $15,000 to support education, the environment, and local communities
PORTSMOUTH, NH — Irving Oil has just awarded $60,000 to support six local community organizations throughout Atlantic Canada and New England through its Community Fuel Grant Program. Each organization applied and requested for a grant worth up to $15,000.
“We are very pleased and proud to award these six groups with grants to help support education, the environment, and communities in need throughout our region,” said Harry Hadiaris, general manager of Irving Oil. “We received applications from more than 100 organizations, and we are honored to select these six. Congratulations to all.”
The following six organizations were each awarded up to a $15,000 grant:
Cowan Heights Elementary in St. John’s Newfoundland currently enrolls more than 356 students from kindergarten through grade seven. In May 2010, the City of St. John's determined that the existing playground structure, which was 20 years old, was below code levels and would require removal. The Irving Oil Community Fuel Grant will allow Cowan Heights Elementary to purchase high-quality commercial playground equipment to withstand many years to come.
Earth Rangers of Woodbridge, Ontario, is an award-winning non-profit organization focused on communicating a positive, science-based message to children on the importance of protecting biodiversity. The Earth Rangers Education Outreach Program educates more than 300,000 students across Canada about the threats facing biodiversity. Earth Rangers’ live Animal Ambassadors are incorporated into the program to help connect children with wildlife and the environment. The Irving Oil Community Fuel Grant has made it possible for Earth Rangers to deliver their program to over 6,000 students on the eastern leg of their National Tour.
Everybody Wins! Connecticut, Inc. in Hartford, Ct., is an affiliate of Everybody Wins! USA, a national organization founded in 1991 in New York City to address illiteracy issues among inner-city school children. The organization targets children at-risk due to poverty, lack of English language skills, and poor academic achievement. Through the Irving Oil Community Fuel Grant, Everybody Wins! CT will be able to help improve literacy for more than 1,000 children.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute in Portland, Maine, is one of the Northeast’s most widely respected marine research institutes and operates the LabVenture! program for school children. GMRI is making a long-term investment in science literacy by providing programs to ignite the curiosity, ambition, innovation, and problem-solving potential of Maine's young students. The Irving Oil Community Fuel Grant will help educate more than 10,000 Maine school children.
The Mentor Connector based in Rutland, Vermont, was established to collaborate with existing mentoring programs in the country and address the needs of youth on a waiting list for a mentor. The organization has made more than 100 matches since it began in 2004. Currently, the greatest need is to connect youth with male mentors, so the Irving Oil Community Fuel Gant will assist with recruitment efforts.
Saint George’s YouthNet based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, has offered mentorship to the youth of Halifax, discovered and encouraged their talents, and helped them dream of a future for nearly 20 years. Saint George’s YouthNet recognizes that the north end neighborhood struggles with violence, neglect, addiction and abuse. The Irving after school program allows youth to relax and unwind in a healthy, supportive, and educational atmosphere. Through the Irving Oil Community Fuel Grant, YouthNet’s after school program, which provides youths with a healthy and educational atmosphere, will add an engaging art program.
“At Irving, we believe it is very important to support organizations in the communities where we all live and work,” said Hadiaris. “The Community Fuel Grant supports numerous programs with missions to educate and support young minds and encourage innovation.”
Organizations were selected based on their areas of key focus; where the community’s needs are the greatest; and Irving Oil’s presence in each area.
Since it began in spring 2010, the Irving Oil Community Fuel Grant Program has awarded more than $180,000 to 18 organizations throughout Atlantic Canada and New England. Organizations can submit applications for a grant until Dec. 31, and then another cycle will open in spring 2012. For more information on the program, visit www.irvingoil.com.
About Irving
Irving Oil was founded in 1924 and is a privately owned regional refining and marketing company. Irving Oil operates Canada's largest refinery, just over the border in Saint John, N.B., and has nearly 900 service stations and travel plazas in New England and Eastern Canada. In 2003, Irving Oil became the first oil company to receive a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Clean Air Excellence Award, for its clean gasoline. For more information about Irving Oil, visit www.irvingoil.com.
Contact
E.J. Powers
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