From Bruce Drysdale Elementary
Press release
Bruce Drysdale is proud to announce that it has received a $5,000 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The award was one of 84 grants totaling over $704,732 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that provide more opportunities, access, and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. Conceived by the late Dana Reeve, the program has awarded over 2,500 grants totaling over $18.9 million since 1999.
Bruce Drysdale will use the grant money for transfer stations and ramps so the new main play structure is easily accessible for all, especially those children with mobility issues. Phase one of this large playground project will occur over the school’s fall break in September. Principal Christine Smith from Bruce Drysdale said “We are SO excited and honored to receive the Reeve grant for our children. On behalf of our children who can easily access the playground and especially for those students whose access is challenged, we sincerely thank you.”
“The Reeve Foundation is committed to supporting programs and resources that foster independent living, improved health and community engagement,” said Donna Valente, Director, Quality of Life Grants, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. “The awarded grantees are instrumental to our work at the Reeve Foundation as we strive to serve the community with a roadmap of invaluable resources and programs to enhance their quality of life.”
Awarded twice yearly, grant requests were evaluated and scored based on a rigorous review process to determine funding for organizations that improve daily life for those living with paralysis, as well as their families and caregivers. Quality of Life grants focus on initiatives that engage and involve individuals with paralysis and their families in their community. With these initiatives, these organizations plan to help those living with paralysis assert their independence in the community.
The Bruce Drysdale Accessible Playground will not only improve the quality of life and independence level for those students at the school but for the surrounding community as well. The school, in partnership with the Pardee Hospital’s Signature Care Center, is going to hold some community wide fitness classes later in the spring.
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program was created to address the myriad needs of children and adults living with paralysis, as well as provide assistance and education to their families and caregivers. Funded programs serve individuals living with spinal cord injury and other injuries, diseases or birth conditions, including but not limited to, stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The grants support life-changing initiatives that aim to increase quality of life by improving physical and emotional health, broadening community engagement, and increasing independence. This project was supported, in part by grant number 90PR3002, from the U.S. Administration for Community Living, Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC 20201. Grantees undertaking projects under government sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and conclusions. Points of view or opinions do not, therefore, necessarily represent official Administration for Community Living policy.
About the Reeve Foundation
The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury by funding innovative research and improving the quality of life for people living with paralysis through grants, information and advocacy. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s standards for charity accountability and hold the BBB’s Charity Seal. The Paralysis Resource Center (PRC) is a program of the Reeve Foundation, and is funded through a cooperative agreement with the Administration for Community Living, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (cooperative agreement number 90PR3002). For more information, please visit our website at www.ChristopherReeve.org or call 800-539-7309.
About Bruce Drysdale Elementary School
We, at Bruce Drysdale School, are here to facilitate learning in a supportive and caring environment with high expectations for all children.
http://www.hendersoncountypublicschoolsnc.org/bds/
(828)697-5568
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