Thank you, MEA, for the grant

To the editor:

Matanuska Electric Association Charitable Foundation recently announced a $10,000 grant to the Palmer Arts Council. The foundation designated the funds to be used to assure that no child or youth is excluded from Arts Council programs because of inability to pay a participation fee. The Arts Council says a public thank you to the foundation.

Each summer, Palmer Arts Council facilitates programs for children and youth in band, theatre and fine arts. Each program is directed by a credentialed teacher, and the teachers are paid a modest salary. In addition, many volunteers are used in the operation of the programs. The Mat-Su Borough School District helps provide space for Arts Council programs in school facilities at a minimal cost.

The families of students are asked to pay a participation fee. Over the past six years, the Arts Council has learned that about 25 percent of the families are unable to pay the participation fee. Scholarships are granted. No one has ever been excluded from an Arts Council program because of inability to pay. This summer, the council anticipates making about $20,000 in grants to make certain no person is excluded.

The MEA Charitable Foundation, plus other monies raised by the council’s board, makes that generosity possible.

The MEA Charitable Foundation is funded through the MEA Round Up program. Participating members of the MEA Round Up program make gifts to the foundation by rounding up their utility bills to the nearest full dollar amount. The gifts are pennies each month, but collectively amount to significant dollars available to the MEA Charitable Foundation for community service.

Palmer Arts Council thanks all MEA Round Up participating members for their generosity. You have made generous gifts to dozens of young people participating in healthy activities.

Palmer Arts Council observes a wonderful phenomenon. A community owned utility is facilitating gifts from its members that are passed on to a membership-based not-for-profit organization that uses the funds to provide healthy activities for children and youth. The programs are further facilitated by a cooperative school district and by a highly qualified staff who either volunteer their services or work for very modest payment. This is a healthy community at work.

Thank you, MEA Charitable Foundation, for being the key ingredient.

Rose Hendrickson, President

Palmer Arts Council