Alabama Power Foundation and Eastern Division Area Manager Steve Hildebrant awarded a Good Roots grant for $1000 to Etowah County Schools Superintendent Dr. Alan Cosby, Southside High School principal Dr. Marguerite Early, Etowah County Career Tech Center Director Mark Stancil, and Southside High School teacher Eric West on Tuesday, July 8.
West, a Southside High School agriscience teacher, applied for the Good Roots grant himself, hoping to make it a student project.
“Eric was successful in obtaining a $1000 grant to plant trees at Southside [High School],” said Hildebrant.
West plans for his students to plant the trees on campus in the fall.
“The Good Roots program’s intent is to build strong, vibrant, beautiful communities,” said Hildebrant at an Etowah County Board of Education board meeting on Tuesday.
The Alabama Power Foundation, partnered with the Alabama Forestry Association, provides Good Roots grants to cities, towns and nonprofits to purchase trees that benefit the environment. The program’s tree planting projects also support recreation and economic development efforts.
Hildebrant said that Alabama Power likes to be part of planting the trees.
The Alabama Power Foundation has awarded ten grants in and around East Alabama this year, including the city of Attalla. In total, the Alabama Power Foundation has awarded 38 Good Roots grants of more than $33,000 to help communities across Alabama plant trees.
“Helping to keep our state vibrant and healthy is a top priority for Alabama Power,” said Eastern Division Vice President Julia Seagars.
“We are very excited to be awarding so many worthy recipients in the Eastern Division this year and look forward to seeing the impact in the community.”
Good Roots is one of several community grant programs funded by Alabama Power Foundation, as more than 1,000 grants are awarded each year.
For more information, visit www.powerofgood.com.