The McLean Citizens Foundation, the local community foundation of the Greater McLean area, made February grant commitments totaling $21,000 to four organizations.
* McLean Trees Foundation – The foundation approved a grant for $1,000 to the McLean Trees Foundation to replace four dying or missing pear trees along the median of Dolley Madison Boulevard at Old Chain Bridge Road. A heartier species of pear, but with the same appearance — the Cleveland Flowering Pear — will replace the troubled Bradford pears soon. The new trees will be planted, mulched, and maintained by McLean Trees volunteers.
* Churchill Road Elementary School Outdoor Odyssey Program – Two years ago, the foundation supported the Churchill Road PTA and an exciting new program. It was initiated by a group of parents interested in teaching students about environmental stewardship and enhancing their outdoor educational experiences in science, mathematics, and the arts. The students have planned and developed their outdoor classroom, consisting of a bird and butterfly garden, a labyrinth surrounded by native plants and grasses and a set of seven raised beds. Each of the students starts seeds indoors in the winter and then transplants the seedlings into the raised beds after the risk of frost is over. The grant of $2,000 will pay to install power in the greenhouse to improve and extend the growing season. The Churchill PTA will match the grant with $2,325 of its own funds.
* Capital Hospice – Capital Hospice has been serving the needs of the critically ill since 1977. The foundation has approved a grant of $7,500 for Capital Hospice to purchase portable computer equipment for their nurses who provide end-of-life care and services to patients, many of whom are able to remain in their own homes because of Capital Hospice. The foundation also approved an additional $7,500 commitment to Capital Hospice in the form of a challenge grant.
* Pimmit Hills High School — Pimmit Hills is an alternative high school in the McLean Planning District, serving an international student body of 250-300 people who range in age from 17 to 45. Because Pimmit Hills is not a traditional McLean high school, it has no PTA or other source of outside funding beyond what its teachers and administrators purchase out of their own pockets. Funds provided by the county are used for software and textbooks and do not begin to meet the educational needs of this special population. Two grants were approved by the foundation for Pimmit Hills High School: a discretionary grant of $1,000 that the school plans to use to fund field trips to our historic sites in Washington, D.C., and a second grant of $2,000 to acquire needed supplies of books, teacher guides, and literacy materials.
Since 1981, the McLean Citizen’s Foundation has been funding grants to local non-profit organizations that meet the foundation’s grants criteria. Total funding commitments to the greater McLean community are approaching $1 million. MCF trustees review grant proposals in February and October of each year.
Donations to the community foundation can be sent to P.O. Box 75, McLean, VA 22101. Credit card donations can be made and more information found online at <a href=http://www.mcleancitizensfoundation.org>www.mcleancitizensfoundation.org</a>.