Oct. 28, 2002 – The St. Croix Foundation for Community Development is accepting applications for grants from the recently formed Lee C. Ludington Literacy Fund.
The fund provides grants of up to $2,500 to organizations that wish to implement or expand literacy programs. They do not have to hold not-for-profit 501(c)(3) status.
The foundation's associate executive director, Stephanie Hodge, said how many grants will be made remains to be seen. The is the first granting cycle, and so far a $2,500 grant has been made to Charles H. Emanuel School — to underwrite the $25 fee that the school charges pupils for requisite reading materials.
Principal Basil A. Williams Sr. said that about 20 percent of the school's 500 students can't afford to pay the fee. In previous years, the school absorbed the cost.
The program honors Lee Ludington, who died in the past year. Her husband, Martin, a member of the Community Foundation board of trustees, said that his wife was an avid reader and volunteer librarian. "Our children and I felt that a fund which would help promote both reading skills and a love of reading would be a most fitting memorial to her," he said.
Applications are available at the Community Foundation office in Gallows Bay. They also may be requested by e-mailing the St. Croix Foundation. For this granting cycle, applications are due by Dec. 1. For more information, call the foundation offices at 773-9898.
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