Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust, Inc. Announces Grant Awards

Funds to be distributed in 2004

Wilbraham and Hampden, Mass. Dec 18, 2003—Wilbraham Hampden Academic Trust, Inc. (w.h.a.t.) has decided to fund four projects that will benefit students in the Hampden Wilbraham Regional School District during the second semester of the current school year. The Board evaluated several grant applications at its most recent meeting and accepted those that best supported the mission of w.h.a.t.

In speaking about the entire grant process, Lynne Quintin, Ed.D., Vice President of Allocations for the educational foundation said, “There were a number of interesting and well thought out programs. Choosing which projects to fund was not necessarily easy, but we are very excited about these four projects because they will provide activities for students that would not otherwise occur.”

The four grants total over $13,000 and will provide enrichment activities for more than 400 students within the school district. The programs are diverse and include a full day school-wide literacy day at Stony Hill School, a mathematics mentoring program involving 8th grade and elementary school students, an artist in residence program spanning two months at Thornton W. Burgess, and the Wright Flight Program at the Wilbraham Middle School which will integrate personal goal setting and attainment with information and hands on activities in the world of aviation. w.h.a.t. plans a formal presentation of the grant funds on January 13, 2004. At that time further specific information regarding the individual grants will be discussed.

w.h.a.t. is a non-profit, tax-exempt corporation that was formed in the past six months for the purpose of funding enrichment activities in the public schools that serve Hampden and Wilbraham. The foundation, which is financially and administratively separate from the school system and from the town governments, raises funds through private donations. w.h.a.t. does not fund routine educational expenses that are the responsibility of the tax-supported school budget, such as textbooks and salaries. Members of the Board of Directors of w.h.a.t. are quick to point out that the towns and the state have the responsibility of providing public education. “Given the enormity of the costs, w.h.a.t. could not and does not expect to impact the school budget in any way,” said Robert Lounsbury, President of the foundation. “Instead, the mission of w.h.a.t. is to support the educational system by funding enrichment activities that fall outside of the normal school budget. By enriching the educational experience of the students, the entire educational system and therefore the collective community benefits. After all, w.h.a.t. is more important…?!”

Those interested in making a tax-deductible donation to w.h.a.t. may mail it to P.O. Box 477, Wilbraham, MA 01095-0477.