Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op members continue to generously assist area community, non-profit organizations and individuals through the voluntary round up of their electric and natural gas billings. Member contributions to the Communities First Fund provide funds for grants and scholarships in their local communities within the PIE&G service area.
At their recent meeting in September, the PIE&G Communities First Fund Board of Directors awarded $11,115 in grants to the following recipients:
Montmorency County:
Lewiston Community Sharing: a grant was approved for $1,623 toward the purchase of freezer with the remaining funds be used to purchase food supplies. The new freezers would replace older, existing freezers previously donated. LCS is a non-profit, community based food pantry that serves approximately 50-60 families every two weeks in the Lewiston area.
Hillman Community Radio: a grant of $1,500 for equipment to establish a studio to support community based programming and enable high school students training opportunities for broadcasting.
Presque Isle County:
District Health Department No. 4: a grant for $2,000 to support the Girls on the Run Sunrise Side program was approved. Girls on the Run® is a structured volunteer-based ten week, 20 session after-school program that incorporates physical activity as a means to develop self-confidence and healthy lifestyles in girls ages 8 to 14.
Metz Township: a grant of $4,000 for the purchase of playground equipment at the Metz Fire Trailside Park was approved. The park is located next to the Northeast Michigan State Trail. The goal of the grant is to provide a safe, public playground in Metz Township for local residents and visitors, including families using the State Trail. Currently there is no playground in all of Metz Township.
Onaway Area Community Schools: a grant for $1,992 for the purchase of one student editing station for the video broadcasting program was approved. The Onaway High School video broadcasting class works with Michigan Interscholastic Connection to air school-related events on the MHSAA website.