The Shelby County United Way board of directors during their May board meeting approved the Student United Way grant recommendations presented by Houston senior, Shelby Ayers. Student United Way is comprised of two students, juniors or seniors, from each high school representing all ten school districts in Shelby County. The students were provided a $10,000 allocation budget and accepted and reviewed applications in February and March. After evaluating the applications, prioritized applicants were invited to participate in an in-person interview with the students during April.
Scott Barr, President of the Shelby County United Way, states “The students worked extremely well together this year. We were impressed with the seriousness and attention to detail they accepted the application process, including the questions asked of the applicants.” Projects approved for funding were: $1,500.00 to the YMCA Child Development Center, Sensory Chairs; $1000.00 to the Anna Local Schools, Grub Club weekend food program; $1000.00 to Seven Local Churches in the Jackson Center School District, Weekend Backpack Program; $500.00 to the Workforce Partnership, Substance Abuse Goggles; $2000.00 to the Big Brothers Big Sisters, Career Quest; $1000.00 to Lockington United Methodist Church, Grocery Give Away; $500.00 to Alpha Community Center, Fruitful Fridays; $2500.00 to Sidney First Presbyterian Church, Munch Bunch Program for weekend hunger.
Participating students this year included: Claire Bensman and Derek Wolters from Anna, Grace Homan and Elliot Goubeaux from Botkins, Aly Baughman and Emma Abbot from Christian Academy, Skylar Jones and Garret Kramer from Fairlawn, Riley Middendorf and Marissa Meiring from Fort Loramie, Shelby Ayers and Jon Steiner from Houston, TJ Esser and Riley Jackson from Jackson Center, Grace Olding and Mike Rossman from Lehman Catholic, Daniel Kearns and Jessica York from Russia, and Ava Money and Macie Ivey from Sidney.