The Greater Chapin Community Endowment (GCCE) recently awarded grants totaling $19,000 to four local organizations: Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, Free Medical Clinic of Newberry, Palmetto Conservation Foundation and the Rotary Club of Chapin Sunrise.

The organization received many requests for diverse programs and projects and the organizations that received funding demonstrated need, merit and community impact.

Blue Ribbon School of Excellence received $2,500 for their Growing and Sharing program. Students and church members of Mt. Horeb Lutheran Church in the community of Chapin will develop and plant a community garden consisting of at least eight different varieties of produce. At least one hundred pounds of produce will be given to We Care (the local interfaith food pantry and crisis intervention center) and Generations of Chapin (assisted living and nursing center) for distribution to their clients.

Free Medical Clinic of Newberry received $2,500 for medication for indigent patients. The Clinic serves uninsured Newberry County residents with incomes below 150% of federal poverty guidelines.

Palmetto Conservation Foundation received $5,000 for OnCell Tours of the Palmetto Trail. This new technology allows anyone with a mobile device to access a more enriching, interactive trail experience including pictures, videos, maps and links. OnCell is a service that allows organizations to create low-cost, extensive mobile tours including information about local history, culture, geography, flora/fauna and more.

Rotary Club of Chapin Sunrise received $9,000 to assist with building a HUB playground. Chapin Rotary, along with several other local organizations, will build a commercial grade playground at the HUB to provide a place for under privileged kids to play safely. This playground will be dedicated to the memory of Omara Aiken, a six year-old Chapin resident who tragically died in 2010.