GRAFTON -- Nearly $3,400 will be given out Thursday to various Taylor County youth-oriented groups thanks to the generosity of the GREAT PAPER CHA$E and the citizens and businesses who recycle office paper.
The program was started several years ago by Refuse Control Systems of Grafton and has since expanded. For each ton of office paper that is collected, bundled and shipped to the mill, Refuse Control Systems, RRHAMCO and Meadowfill Landfill each donate $50 to the program.
Since its inception, the GREAT PAPER CHA$E has collected and distributed nearly $12,300.
The grant award ceremony is slated for 10 a.m. in City Council chambers in Grafton.
Lee Fauley, of Refuse Control Systems, said the program was developed as a way to encourage people to recycle office paper, which is basically any kind of paper not newsprint or magazines, and also to give money to youth-oriented groups.
"We had people putting out cans, glass, newspapers and magazines, but they weren't recycling their office paper," he said. "We wanted to promote complete recycling and thought we could do something good for the community at the same time."
The grants are awarded about three times a year, Fauley said. There is no set timing for the awards because they are based on when the money is available.
"When we get the paper, bundle it, ship it and the mill pays us, we advertise for the grant applications," he said.
Applications are available at Pruntytown Elementary, Flemington Elementary, Anna Jarvis Elementary, Taylor County Middle and Grafton High schools; City Clerk Gwen Basford's office, located at 1 W. Main St.; the Center for Rural Enterprises, located at 220 W. Main St.; and the Tygart Valley Development Authority, located at 214 W. Main St.
Nearly $3,400 was collected for this round of grant awards, Highland said. Groups receiving money and the amounts are:
Mountain State Life Enrichment Center, arts enrichment, $250; Simpson Playgrounds Association, playground improvements, $500; Flemington Elementary Energy Express, summer reading program, $300; Tri-County ABA, fishing program, $200; Taylor County Public Library, summer reading program, $250; Taylor County 4-H Leaders Association, gun safety class, $500; Girls High School Girls Softball, equipment purchases, $250; Taylor County Girls 14-and-under Softball Team, uniform and equipment purchases, $500; P.A.V.E. class at Grafton High School, materials and supplies for mini kitchen, $200; Taylor County Biddy Basketball, Inc., basketball equipment and lockers, $439.90.
Regional writer James Fisher can be reached at 626-1446.
