Hillsdale, Michigan – August 12, 2020
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation has provided emergency funding from the Hillsdale County Emergency Relief Fund, the HCCF Unrestricted Fund and the Kellogg Youth Advisory Fund in the amount of $82,000 to support area schools in returning to school. This funding is in partnership with Hillsdale Hospital to respond to the financial burden the Hillsdale County schools are facing and will cover the costs of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Hillsdale Hospital has generously offered to cover the cost of masks and hand sanitizers while the Foundation will cover the costs of sanitizing stations, thermometers, gloves, sprayers and cleaning supplies to ensure both students and staff can safely return to school. Many families face challenges when it comes to having proper PPE, but with this financial support they will have access to this protective equipment.
As schools were finalizing their re-opening plans, HCCF and the Hillsdale Hospital worked collaboratively with the Hillsdale County Intermediate School District (HCISD) and the local health department to secure the emergency funding, while ensuring adequate training and equipment were in place. “Hillsdale County schools have faced numerous hardships this year, which is why we have to come together to support them,” said Sharon Bisher, President and CEO of HCCF. “Our schools impact every facet of this community and our students deserve an opportunity to return to school feeling safe. We are proud to be a sponsor of this project.” Required PPE has been challenging to secure with delays in deliveries, but the Community Foundation and Hillsdale Hospital have worked hard to ensure the area schools would be prepared.
After delaying the start date, Hillsdale County area schools will return to school after Labor Day on Tuesday, September 8th with the proper precautions in place to create a healthy environment for students, faculty and staff. HCCF was proud to fund this effort and will continue to work closely with the HCISD and Hillsdale Hospital to provide support and assistance as they navigate the beginning of the school year.
The Hillsdale County Community Foundation was established in 1991 “For good. For ever.” As a community grant-making foundation, it provides seed money to organizations and institutions that have identified problems and have designed constructive action programs aimed at solutions. A majority of the Foundation’s grant making is focused on the areas of youth, leadership, philanthropy and volunteerism.
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Contact:
Caitlin Sterling, Marketing/YOUTH Program Officer
Hillsdale County Community Foundation (517) 439-5101, c.sterling@abouthccf.org