Grants Fund Past And Present Communications

Sonora, CA — The Sonora Area Foundation (SAF) handed out more than $100,000 in grants supporting the arts and the internet.

Sierra Repertory Theatre (SRT) got a $30,000 boost for artistic content; support to SRT Jr. programs for children that will include school matinees; and to provide ticket discounts for seniors, students and children.

“To bridge the digital divide by bringing broadband to the people and the people to broadband” is the vision of Central Sierra Connect Broadband Consortium (CSC). It now will be able to do that over the next nine to 12 months, until future funding through the state can be acquired to continue broadband development in Tuolumne County, through a $30,000 SAF grant to the Amador Tuolumne Community Action Agency, which will pass along the funds to CSC.

The Sonora Opera Hall will get a facelift, thanks to a $15,000 grant to the City of Sonora. The city plans to use the funds for contract labor and materials to make repairs to the front balcony as part of the hall’s Exterior Improvement Project scheduled to complete by year-end.

Jamestown School District’s Jamestown Family Resource Center, which supports at-risk children and families, received a $25,000 matching grant to help keep it running for the next school year. Additionally, a committee of community leaders will work with the school to develop a long-term sustainability plan for the center.

A group that provides gifts and make visits to veterans in assisted-living facilities throughout Tuolumne County, Hospitalized Veterans – Visiting Hospitalized Veterans, was awarded $2,500 to help purchase small gifts.