2 Santa Rosa Schools Awarded 'Step Up To The Plate' Grants

SANTA ROSA, CA — Roseland Accelerated Middle School and James Monroe Elementary School were among 28 Bay Area schools awarded grant funding Thursday through the KNBR Step Up to the Place Education program funded by Wells Fargo. Through an open community nomination process, schools applied to receive $100,000 in grants, to support athletics, arts, S.T.E.M. and community-based programs.

In an event held Thursday morning at AT&T Park, world champion San Francisco Giants player Brandon Crawford was on hand to help congratulate students and representatives from the winning schools.

"As a kid, my parents always emphasized the importance of an education—above and beyond participating in sports," Crawford said. "As a Bay Area native, it is an honor to be part of a program that increases education and athletic programs for local kids."

Roseland Accelerated was awarded $1,000 to purchase musical instruments for an after school music program (RAMS Garage Band).

James Monroe was awarded $4,500 to support the Girls & Boys Basketball program by covering the entry costs and referees, providing a small stipend for coaches, and replacing old equipment and uniforms.

Since the inception of the Step Up to the Plate program 17 years ago, Wells Fargo and KNBR have granted over $1.2 million in support of Bay Area youth.

Photos courtesy Wells Fargo