Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-op members continue to give generously to assist area community organizations and individuals through the voluntary round up of their electric and natural gas billings. Member contributions to the PIE&G Communities First Fund enable awards for grants and scholarships in their local communities within PIE&G’s service area.

At a recent meeting, the PIE&G Communities First Fund Board of Directors finalized review of applications and made awards of $16,969 in grants to the recipients below.

ALPENA COUNTY

District Health Dept. No. 4 ($1,200) to help sponsor Girls on the Run, a structured volunteer based, ten-week, 20 session after-school program that incorporates physical activity as a means to develop self-respect and healthy lifestyles for over 200 girls. The program targets girls ages 8 to 14 (third through eighth grades) attending the 15 schools within the four-county service area of DHD No. 4.

Huron Pines Resource Conservation & Development ($2,000) toward the cost of creating the Hubbard Lake Preserve, an 80-acre wooded parcel of land that will be used for public recreational and educational purposes. The project entails signage, fencing, parking and grounds keeping, along with funds for local community programs including presentations, tours and events related to forest management, invasive species education, wildlife viewing and outdoor recreation. Huron Pines is an environmental conservation organization serving 12 counties across northeast Michigan from Saginaw Bay north to the Mackinac Bridge.

CHEBOYGAN COUNTY

Inland Lakes Secondary Schools ($2,000) to help purchase a Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) Router to enable students to create woodworking projects while learning skills directly transferrable to employment in the manufacturing setting.

MONTMORENCY COUNTY

Atlanta Church of Christ -The Caring Place ($2,000) to purchase food, clothing and household items for those in need. From October 2017 to September 2018, The Caring Place, run solely by volunteers, has helped over 433 families from babies to adults over 60 years of age.

Hillman Community Schools ($3,000) to help with the purchase musical instruments for elementary students (4th and 5th grade) learning to develop the beginning band program.

The Baby Basket Pantry ($2,000) for the purchase of food, clothing and supplies for area families, seniors and new mothers in need.

PRESQUE ISLE COUNTY

Onaway Methodist Church -The Caring Closet ($1,500) to help those in need in the community purchase household items that cannot be purchased by food stamps (laundry detergent, hygiene items, toiletries, etc.).

Posen Consolidated School ($1,700) to assist with the purchase of Chromebook personal tablet computers for elementary students (grade 3 -6) to facilitate student learning online and improve typing skills, help teachers administer, grade and provide prompt feedback for standardized testing, and to promote paperless classes.

Presque Isle Township ($1,569) to assist with the purchase and installation of a Veterans Memorial at the Presque Isle Township Cemetery. The memorial will consist of a brass plaque mounted on a large rock, landscaping and a lighted telescoping flag pole displaying the American flag.