The E. Rhodes and the Leona B. Carpenter Foundation has given $210,000 in grants to area recipients for its spring submission, David Branner, division manager of E. R. Carpenter, L.P. announced.
Among the grant recipients is the Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity, which received $45,000 that will be used to help build two houses.
“The Carpenter Foundation is the foundation of our work in Belton and Temple,” said Gene Bauer, executive director of the Fort Hood Area Habitat for Humanity. “We couldn’t begin to do what we do without them.”
The grant money will be matched with funds generated locally, from groups such as the First Baptist Church of Belton, Wilsonart International, the United Way of Central Texas and others.
“We’ll take those Carpenter Foundation funds and match those with locally produced funds. We’ll be able to do twice as much work,” he said.
A groundbreaking will be July 12 on the first of the homes to be built with the $45,000 grant. Construction begins July 19 at 605 Davis Ave. in Belton. The home will be the 50th built by the local Habitat chapter.
The SPJST Library Archives and Museum received $10,000 that will be used for museum-quality mannequins and cases to help preserve its collection, said Sandi Wicker, executive director.
“Most of our mannequins are store mannequins and paints leak into the fabric of the costumes,” Ms. Wicker said. “This will preserve the integrity of the materials.”
The museum has some items it has not been able to display because of concerns about preservation, and museum-quality mannequins and cases will allow the museum a place of safekeeping for the costumes and other artifacts, Ms. Wicker said.
“We’re just very grateful,” she said of receiving a grant from the foundation. “They have been so good to the community.”
Other local groups receiving grant money from the Carpenter Foundation include:
Temple Symphony Orchestra received a $35,000 grant to sponsor the opening concert of the orchestra’s 2008-09 season in September.
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor received $40,000 to provide program support and scholarships for the University’s Conservatory of Music for 2008.
Communities in Schools received $35,000 to help pay the salaries of staff members.
Lone Star Legal Aid received $15,000 to help pay part of the costs of a part-time volunteer.
Central Texas Housing Consortium received $30,000 to help with the costs of installing new floor tile in classrooms and a play area for its Kaleidoscope Early Childhood Discovery Center.
