Report on Grants and Scholarship distribution 2023 By Angela Kendrick The Scholarships and Grants Committee met on Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Carolyn Guinther’s home. Background information: The Aloha Garden Club savings account has a balance of $13,200 accumulated from plant sale proceeds over the past several years. The committee voted to award $11,200 in scholarships and grants to Washington County community recipients. $2000 will stay in the account as seed money for a new project when one is developed to provide funds for grants and scholarships. Fundraising projects are not limited to a plant sale. There were no new applications submitted to us this winter. The committee voted to distribute money to five local entities in appreciation of the good work that they do or education that they provide in our community: Scholarships: Rather than having the ACG evaluate potential candidates, we decided to fund students in need through Portland Community College’s financial aid program. The PCC Foundation will receive $6200 that can be awarded as need-based scholarships to students in their Landscaping degree program at the Rock Creek campus. We hope to be able to have this scholarship funding carry the Aloha Garden Club name. Grants: Washington County Master Gardeners Association - $500 grant to be spent on the Learning Garden, located at PCC Rock Creek. This garden is an educational resource for students and community members. H.O.P.E. (Honoring Our Precious Elders). A Beaverton based non–profit – $3000 grant. Its mission is to provide seniors with fixed incomes and limited capabilities free regular year-round yard maintenance so that seniors can have peace of mind as well as a sense of connection with the community. The yard work is performed by volunteers. H.O.P.E.’s goal is to help elders age in place. The Aloha Community Library, a local educational resource and member of the Washington County Community Library system, will receive a $500 grant. Imagine Possibilities serves clients who have intellectual and physical disabilities in Aloha. The center is in the process of developing a rain garden (which captures the roof water run-off from their main building) with the direction of Peg Falconer, horticultural therapist. Peg has a horticultural therapy intern working with her to who will be part of the project management (and labor!). We have awarded a grant of a $1000 to buy supplies and plants. Over the last 20 years, the Aloha Garden Club has donated $120,828.97 in grants and scholarships to Washington County residents and community groups! We are pleased to add to that total in 2023 with this distribution of $11,200.