The City of Roseville surpassed the $10 million milestone in financial support for community groups when City Council members handed out checks July 11 totaling $602,750 to local nonprofit organizations.
Checks were distributed to 35 nonprofit organizations in a formal ceremony at the Roseville Civic Center conducted by Mayor Pro Tem Rocky Rockholm and Council member Richard Roccucci. The ceremony marked the 13th year that the City has awarded grants from the Citizens Benefit Fund (CBF) that are generated from interest earned on the invested proceeds from the sale of the former Roseville Community Hospital. Since then, the City has awarded more than $10.3 million.
The ceremony featured the first-ever distribution of money from the newly established Roseville Automall Community Fund and money donated by City of Roseville employees and contributors to the Roseville Employees Annual Charitable Hearts (REACH) Fund, founded in 2003.
Awards for the 2006-2007 fiscal year included $500,000 from the CBF, $52,750 from the REACH Fund and $50,000 from the Roseville Automall Community Fund (RACF).
‘Passing the $10 million mark shows an amazing commitment by the City of Roseville, its employees, corporate donors and organizations,’ Roseville Mayor Gina Garbolino said. ‘Our grant recipients represent diverse, worthy causes and many of these organizations serve residents who have no other options to obtain the services they need.’
Garbolino praised the Roseville Automall Community Fund as ‘an outstanding example of how businesses can get involved’ to improve their communities.
Other local businesses making contributions to the REACH Fund include five-year commitments from Westfield Galleria at Roseville totaling $50,000 and First Northern Bank totaling $15,000. One-time contributions included in the grants awarded for 2006 include Kobra Properties at $15,000, United Auburn Indian Community at $10,000, Panattoni Development at $6,750, KMS Development at $5,000 and KB Home at $2,500. Several businesses also gave smaller amounts.
The following groups were awarded checks by the City Council based on recommendations by the seven-member Grants Advisory Commission. Commission members spent hundreds of hours reading 65 applications before making the often-difficult choices on which organization should receive a grant.
* A Touch of Understanding — $25,000 to provide disability awareness education (CBF)
* The Banqueting Table — $4,305 for a holiday parade (RACF)
* Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento Area — $15,000 for a Kaseberg Elementary mentoring program (CBF)
* Blue Oaks School Parent Teacher Club — $5,000 for library books (RACF)
* Child Abuse Prevention Council of Placer County — $27,600 for operating support (CBF)
* City of Roseville Parks and Recreation Dept. — $5,000 for Kids Health & Fitness Expo (RACF)
* City of Roseville Parks and Recreation Dept. — $12,000 for program assistance (CBF)
* City of Roseville Police Dept. — $23,900 for Project Lifesaver, to help track citizens at risk from wandering off due to Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome or other medical conditions (CBF)
* Community Resources Council, Inc. — $30,000 to provide meals to needy citizens (CBF)
* First Presbyterian Church of Roseville — $5,000 for community Bach concert (RACF)
* Friends of the Roseville Library — $5,000 for family literacy project (REACH)
* The Gathering Inn — $29,849 to expand emergency/transitional housing program (CBF)
* Lazarus Project — $30,000 for operating expenses of new transitional home (CBF)
* Lighthouse Counseling and Family Resource Center — $5,000 for operations (REACH)
* Magic Circle Theatre — $15,000 for community concerts (CBF)
* Oakmont High School — $20,000 for Health Careers Academy (CBF)
* PEACE for Families — $30,000 for operating support to reduce domestic violence (CBF)
* Performing Arts of Roseville — $9,650 (CBF), and $5,350 (REACH) for musical programs
* Placer County Law Enforcement Chaplaincy, Inc. — $30,000 for operating expenses
* Placer County Office of Education/Foster Youth Services — $4,950 for youth film (RACF), $4,850 for youth guitar program (REACH)
* Placer County Peer Court — $5,000 each from RACF and REACH for scholarships
* Placer Family Housing — $5,000 each from RACF and REACH for homeless housing
* Placer Independent Resource Services, Inc. — $5,550 from REACH, $2,450 from RACF for assistive technology and services for disabled persons
* Placer Multi-Disciplinary Interview Center — $26,700 for operating support (CBF)
* Roseville Arts — $30,000 to purchase equipment for children’s gallery (CBF)
* Roseville City School District — $28,800 academic support program (CBF)
* Roseville Historical Society — $14,000 to install flagpoles at Veterans Park (CBF)
* Roseville Police Activities League — $5,000 each from REACH and RACF for youth activities
* Sacramento Philharmonic — $10,000 for educational concerts for youth, families (CBF)
* Senior Independent Services, Inc. — $10,000 for friendly visitor programs (CBF), $5,000 for Meals on Wheels (REACH), $3,796 for senior transportation services (RACF)
* Sierra Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence — $25,000 for treatment services (CBF)
* Sierra Family Services — $27,500 substance abuse treatment program (CBF)
* Senior Life Center — $2,000 for senior programs (REACH)
* St. Vincent De Paul Society — $20,000 for health and hygiene for low-income residents (CBF)
* Teens Matter, Inc. — $5,000 for classes that build self-esteem in teens (REACH)
* Tommy Apostolos Charity Fund for Children — $10,000 for needy youth shopping trips (CBF)
For more information or to donate, call (916) 774-5353.