2025 GRANT RECIPIENTS

Union and Jesse Mae Monroe Elementary Schools

$4,000

• Two Schools- One Book will provide the same book for every student in the school. The program encourages children and parents to read at home together. Extensive support materials in both English and Spanish are provided to help parents. A multitude of school activities involve all children and their families.

• After polling parents:

  -70% said they saw an impact on students' interest in reading at home

  -72% said they definitely plan to read more books together as a family at home

• And here are some parent quotes:

  "Wonderful first experience- loved the concept and enjoyed very much so. So appreciative for such a great program at no cost to the families. Thank you!"

  "We got the opportunity to rescue a squirrel 2 days after finishing the book. It's made my son that much more empathetic and compassionate."

  "I think the whole program was super fun. Our family enjoyed reading the book together. I like how it was hyped up and how we collaborated as one big community to read together.

  Friends of the Library Southport Oak Island (FOLSOI)

  $3,000

• This grant made an amazing impact on the ability to provide a vast collection of options for kids as the Bookmobile began service. Here is a quote from the Bookmobile librarian, Kate, after her first orders, and right before she hit the road to service her new customers:
  
  “I've attached pictures of the Children's Collection so far. We were able to order 263 items so far from the grant portion of the budget. Items included Board Books, Picture Books, Beginning Readers, Juvenile and Young Adult Fiction, Juvenile and YA Graphic Novels, and some Juvenile Non-fiction. Additionally, we were able to get a second copy of each of the Elementary and Middle School Battle of the Books titles. Many of the titles selected for purchase came from the 2026 CSLP Summer Reading Program book lists. The theme this year is Unearth a Story, so many of the titles relate to dinosaurs and Earth Science. There is also a chapter this year for America's 250th, so several of the titles relate to that. 

  In addition to the Summer Reading Books and Battle of the Books titles, I focused on ordering books by favorite children's authors such as Eric Carle, Andrea Beaty, Sandra Boynton, Bill Martin, Alice Schertle, and Kelly Yang. “
  
  

• Center for Applied Sciences and Technology (COAST HS)

  $3,000

• Experimentarium‘s Makerspace-There are 115 students in the Achieve Academy at the COAST that have had the opportunity to participate in The Experimentarium, my Makerspace. Because of the grant, we have been able to purchase the following items to start our space:

  • Podcasting and media equipment

  • Sewing and embroidery machine

  • Art supplies and creative materials

  • STEM kits such as Snap Circuits

  • Digital cameras and green screen equipment

    We have also split the cost of a high end color printer with the COAST, so that as students create posters and presentations that we can print them to showcase within the school. 
    Many of our teachers have been able to offer students alternative assignments, such as creating podcasts and videos. Plus, we have started our own YouTube channel! Find us at BCS Spark Lab

    Here are some quotes from students about The Experimentarium:

    Tucker: “I think the podcast equipment is very helpful with our social work. Talking and conversing with other students and spreading the word about Spark.”

    Jakob: “This opens up a lot of things for us to do in Spark.”

2024 GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Virginia Williamson Elementary Schoolwas awarded $3,054 for its program for fifth graders, Empowering Future Scientists: Hands-On STEM Exploration. The grant funded supplies to create a water cycle model in a bag. Teacher Tiffani Frink Fulford says, “I am incredibly grateful that we have received this grant. Hundreds of students will benefit through meaningful, hands-on learning that would have otherwise been out of reach. This opportunity is making a lasting impact on our young learners.”

West Brunswick High School and Brunswick County Early College High School were also awarded $4,000 in 2024 for the schools’ FIRST Robotics Team 6512. Students will build and program a robot, manage marketing and outreach, and compete at two district tournaments in March. West Brunswick High teacher Keri McKenzie says, “I am inspired by the creativity, perseverance and teamwork our students bring to every challenge, and this generous grant allows us to expand their opportunities, fuel their passion for innovation, and build skills that will empower them for a lifetime. It’s a true investment in the future of our students.”

2023 GRANT RECIPIENT