The Northern Beaufort County Public Education Foundation, founded more than 20 years ago, recently awarded almost $3,000 to six teachers. The foundation awards grants to teachers in public and charter schools located north of the Broad River.

“It’s an exciting day when we can surprise the winning teachers in their classroom and hand them their check,” said Jim Grimsley, chairman of the Northern Beaufort County Public Education Foundation. “We want them to put the money to use right away to help their students.”

[caption id="attachment_13845" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/School-Herman-Gaither-presents-mini-grant.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-13845" alt="Foundation member Herman Gaither (center) presents a grant to Beaufort Middle School teacher Tricia Fidrych (right) with Principal Carole Ingram (left) and students." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/School-Herman-Gaither-presents-mini-grant-300x255.jpg" width="300" height="255" /></a> Foundation member Herman Gaither (center) presents a grant to Beaufort Middle School teacher Tricia Fidrych (right) with Principal Carole Ingram (left) and students.[/caption]

The organization has been helping fund teacher projects for more than 20 years. After several years of dormancy, the foundation revitalized itself with a new Board of Directors in early 2012 and since then has distributed more than $13,000 in grants.

“Our goal is to target public schools in northern Beaufort County, which historically have not had the outside support enjoyed by schools in other parts of the county, and to assist teachers in doing things they might not ordinarily be able to do because of lack of funding,” Grimsley said.

Grant winners, receiving an average award of $464, were:

• Shannon Duffy, Riverview Charter School

• Tricia Fidrych, Beaufort Middle School

• Kelly Goudy, St. Helena Elementary

• Julie McKay, Whale Branch Early College High School

• Eve Weaver, St. Helena Elementary

• Makela Wilson, Battery Creek High.

“It’s a wonderful feeling to come into a teacher’s classroom and tell them they’ve won a grant to help them teach,” said Laura Eggers, a member of the foundation’s board of directors.

To help raise money to distribute to teachers, the Northern Beaufort County Public Education Foundation will host “Artscapade” on Feb. 20 at ARTworks in Beaufort Town Center. The event features silent auctions, wine tasting and refreshments.
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