Thumbs up to realism complex for getting grant

Thumbs up to the Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex Inc. for being one of five organizations to receive a $1,000 grant from the 2008 SC Black Family Expo committee. The 17th annual event took Aug. 7-9 in Florence. According to a press release from the committee, the Darlington County Cultural Realism Complex Inc., which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, “has rendered unduplicated services to Darlington County and to the United States of America. The mission of this organization is to bridge the gap between both school and home with educational, historical and cultural activities within the community.” The complex’s executive director and Darlington County Councilwoman Wilhelmina P. Johnson said in a previous interview with the Morning News she founded the organization when there wasn’t much for black children in the after-school program sector anywhere in the Pee Dee. “We were in the middle of desegregating the school system, and our children were in a pitiful state,” she said. “They weren’t trained in art and clutter and the only thing we ever asked for was a chance to do, and they did.” For more details about the complex and what it has to offer, call (843) 393-7052.

Thumbs up to the volunteer leaders of the United Way of Florence County as they kick off their general campaign by first working with companies that volunteer to be Pacesetters. That group started the campaign by agreeing to lead the way by doing its fundraising during August. There are 42 Pacesetting groups participating in the 2008-09 campaign. The regular campaign starts Sept. 22. It follows the 16th annual Day of Caring on Sept. 16. The campaign goal is $1,550,000. In 2007, the United Way of Florence County allocated $1,128,966 to partnering health and human service agencies. This included special community impact grants for services to the disabled, the young and families who found themselves in unfortunate circumstances.

Thumbs up to the Toyota USA Foundation for awarding a $200,000 grant to the S.C. Governor’s School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville. The gift will help launch the school’s new Portable Advanced Science Exploration (PASE) project, which will provide advanced technology science equipment and training directly to teachers in schools throughout South Carolina, beginning with the Interstate 95 corridor. In addition to sharing mobile, high-technology lab equipment with schools that lack such resources, PASE will train teachers to use this technology in their own classroom activities, corresponding to science and math curriculum standards. Teachers then will be able to borrow this equipment to instruct their own students in advanced science lessons with engaging, challenging and hands-on activities. According to the Governor’s School, the impact of PASE training will multiply year by year as each teacher reaches hundreds of students, boosting student skills and inspiring learners in these middle grades to pursue science and math studies and careers. PASE will serve about 80 teachers and 2,500 students in its first year, expanding to reach additional numbers as the program grows.The Toyota USA Foundation grant will help purchase computers, lab equipment and supplies; employ staff; create promotional and support materials; and conduct training sessions.