PCEDC gives service award to school foundation

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Talk about it

It was a good-sized group of business and industry leaders from all corners of Pierce County who attended the annual meeting and awards banquet of the Pierce County Economic Developement Corporation (PCEDC) in River Falls Jan. 28.

Among the recognitions was the annual Service Award, presented by EDC Director Bill Warner. This year’s recipient was the Ellsworth Community School District Foundation, Inc., of Ellsworth. Jerry Christiansen, treasurer of the foundation, accepted the award on behalf of President Sue Hinck and the foundation’s board of directors.

In his acceptance, Christiansen outlined the five-year journey of the foundation, which was formed to help provide private funding of enhanced learning opportunities not available within ever-limited school budgets. Christiansen cited several examples, like Smart Boards that make learning more interesting in today’s technology age, added learning events centered around writing, music and special events.

Christiansen said the faculty of the Ellsworth School District submits applications for Excell grants to the school officials, who screen them to make sure the initiative is not already being funded and then submit them to the foundation board for their approval. To date, the foundation has provided over $30,000 in funding for added learning opportunities to enhance the educational experience of children.

Christiansen said the foundation also helps a private party who has donated $500,000 to educational scholarships. The foundation manages the funds and helps give out an annual $20,000 scholarship to a graduating senior. There are several other funding sources administered under their non-profit status.

Christiansen commended the EDC for the recognition, saying, “This is a high honor for our group of community volunteers.”

Tags: local business, business announcements, river falls, business, ellsworth