Health and Wellness Foundation of Pike County gives $80,000 in grants to four Pike County school districts

PITTSFIELD, Ill. — In commemoration of 20 years of continuous operation, the Health and Wellness Foundation of Pike County (HWFPC) recently announced it has awarded a $20,000 grant to four Pike County school districts — Pikeland CUSD No. 10, Griggsville-Perry CUSD No. 4, Western CUSD No. 12 and Pleasant Hill CUSD No. 3.

The combined funding commitment is to be applied toward any health or wellness-related needs of benefit to the students.

In a press release, Griggsville-Perry Superintendent Jeff Abell said, “The grant funds provided by the Health and Wellness Foundation of Pike County will provide a variety of equipment and support for students of the Griggsville-Perry School District. We are grateful for the foundation’s support in helping us provide and maintain health and wellness programs for our students.”

HWFPC Executive Director Patty McIntosh said of the grant awards, “The Health and Wellness Foundation recognizes the tremendous asset Pike County schools provide to the communities they serve and their positive impact on our youth. These grants were given with the intent of helping ensure all districts have access to resources that afford positive and healthy youth development encompassing student’s physical, social, mental and emotional health.”

Each school district has the latitude to utilize the grant funds in the manner that impacts the greatest health benefit to their students, encompassing the purchase of curriculum, equipment, technology, services or supports.

HWFPC has a long-standing history of supporting Pike County schools, including providing funding for fitness equipment, AEDs, mental health resources through a partnership with Mental Health Centers of Western Illinois (MHCWI) and serving as fiscal sponsor for the Pikeland and Griggsville-Perry Snack Pack programs and Pike County CEO.

Pikeland Superintendent Jo Campbell said, “The generous grant is providing valuable support for the health and wellness programs of our schools. Students are benefitting from the online counseling service that is used to supplement our school counseling program. The purchase of mental health manipulatives and supplies are also obtained with the grant funds. Pikeland is very grateful for the support.”

Pleasant Hill Superintendent Kylie Orr said, “The district plans to use the funds to improve school health and wellness programs by creating outdoor seating areas and providing additional healthy food options for students during the school day and over extended school breaks.”

Western Superintendent Darin Powell said, “We will be using these funds to provide new opportunities and equipment for our pre-K through 12 students to use to enhance their health and wellness experience here at Western.”

Since the foundation’s inception in 2003, it has been an independent 501(c)(3) public charity solely serving the health and wellness needs of Pike County. It has provided more than $2 million in funding toward health-related projects and initiatives. At the heart of HWFPC’s mission is providing financial resources to meaningful projects that benefit the health and wellness of Pike County communities and families.

To find out more about HWFPC or about how to make a donation in support of its work, visit www.hwfpc.org or call the foundation at 217-285-6080.