Norris Area Community Foundation donates over $11,000

The Oak Ridger
·3 min read

Brianne Kibler, Norris Area Community Foundation board member, has announced that the organization awarded a total of $11,968 to three Anderson County schools and one nonprofit organization for a total of five funded projects.

Chrystal Frevre, on the behalf of the Anderson County Career and Technical Center, was awarded $2,500 for a 3D Printer, a news release stated.

Frevre said as an educator, she wants to introduce students to the world of 3D modeling on a new level. She wants to teach how the world has progressed into taking food to another creative level. She said that she was inspired by a previous student who loved being a part of engineering, went to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, for its engineering program, and now aspires to become a pastry chef.

Frevre stated that she wants to ignite the imagination of creativity in class and show students how worlds connect, especially concerning the combination of engineering and food.

Physical education teacher Jim Kuban applied for and received two grants: one for Fairview Elementary School and one for the Norris Elementary School.

Ninja Warrior Course

Fairview Elementary School received $2,500 for its new “Ninja Warrior Course.”

"This Fitness Project is highly motivating for students and provides a means to improve all five elements of fitness, which are muscular strength, endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, and body composition," the news release stated.

Norris Elementary School also received $2,500 for their new “Gaga Ball Fitness Fun” Program.

"Gaga Ball is a fast paced, high-energy sport, similar to dodgeball, played in an octagonal 'gaga' pit. Participants play with a soft foam ball, and combine the skills of dodging, striking, running and jumping, while trying to avoid getting hit with the ball below the knees. The project is inclusive to physical education, recess and academic school time learning through a game and reward system for students," the release stated.

Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley received $2,500 to offer girls in Norris Area Community Foundation’s serving area an immersive learning opportunity aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyle options and education through Mind and Body Experience Camps. Girls Inc. leader Bryce Glover said, in the release, that each camp is based around providing girls information and education on healthy food options, positive mental health building and more. These Experience Camps help girls take charge of their physical, emotional and mental health in order for them grow into healthy, educated and independent young adults.

Alison Greenhouse was given an additional grant of almost $2,000 for Norris Elementary School to purchase picnic tables to expand the school’s outdoor classroom experiences. The release stated these tables are "made more important during this time of COVID uncertainty."

Brianne Kibler said, “It is a genuine pleasure for the Norris Area Community Foundation to award grants to such a wide variety of programs that enhance our community."

Kibler added that, “awarding grants to these worthy organizations and schools are only possible through the financial contributions from generous individuals and businesses.”

Pictured with a check are Josh Anderson, Norris Foundation board member; Jill Murphy, East Tennessee Foundation; Alison Greenhouse, Norris Elementary School; Bryce Glover, Girls Inc. of Tennessee Valley; Jim Kuban with son Nash, Fairview and Norris Elementary schools; Robbie Herrel, Anderson County Career and Technical School principal; Jim Hayes, Norris Area Community Foundation chairman; Bonnie Peacock and Steve Weaver, Foundation board members.

The Norris Area Community Foundation’s annual fundraising event, the 2022 Renaissance Run 5K & Fun Walk, will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 7, in Norris, Tennessee. To sign up for the Renaissance Run or donate to the Norris Area Foundation, go online to ETF.ORG/NACFRUN.

For questions about future grants or to stay current with upcoming events and announcements, email your request to norrisareacommunityfoundation@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page, @RenaissanceRun.

The Norris Area Community Foundation is an affiliate fund of the East Tennessee Foundation. The nonprofit Foundation invests the proceeds from the Renaissance Run in a wide variety of programs, projects and services benefiting residents within its area communities, including Norris, Andersonville, Bethel and Fairview areas of Anderson County.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Norris Area Community Foundation donates over $11,000