CVEF Grants to Help Composting, Music and History Projects

The Coginchaug Valley Education Foundation awarded nearly $13,000 in grants to six recipients at a ceremony held Tuesday night at Strong School.

The grants are awarded to organizations that encourage and facilitate innovative and creative learning projects.

"That's really the reason we exist, to be the incubator, to try to help with creative ideas and to help do things that otherwise wouldn't get done," said Liz Conroy, president of CVEF.

The organization raises money through donations and fundraising efforts such as the recently successful community trivia bee.

This year's recipients include Durham native Leah Gastler, an accomplished musician who hopes to create a chamber music series in her hometown.

The Middlefield Historical Society will use the funding to continue efforts to display and maintain the organization's large collection, while the Durham Middlefield Clean Energy and Sustainability Task Force is planning a composting project at the Durham Fair.

"We're hoping 20 different vendors will coordinate with us to collect their compostables and then we'll find a way to get it to composting facility," said task force member Susan Michael.

Destination Durham received a grant that will allow the organization to purchase new equipment and expand, while the Durham Animal Rescue Team (DART) will use its grant funding to provide large animal rescue training to members and emergency responders.

Korn Elementary School principal Deborah Stone said she plans to use the grant money for a program called the Art Spot Mosiac Project which brings students and artists together in the classroom.

"I think it's a really valuable program for the kids in Durham. For kids to know that artistry is still alive and there are opportunities for them," she said.

You can learn more about CVEF by visiting the organization's website.