FOCUS ON YOUTH: COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES FIRST ROUND OF GRANTS

ANGELS CAMP, CA -- September 19, 2007 -- The Calaveras Community Foundation (CCF) focused on youth with its first set of 2007 grants, announced today by Board President Susan Crosson. The Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program, Calaveras Children’s Dental Project, Mountain Ranch Community School and Calaveras High Band Boosters were each granted their full funding requests.

Thanks to the generous major sponsors of the Foundation’s 20th Annual Pro-Am Golf Tournament at La Contenta this past May--Jackson Rancheria, Umpqua Bank, Chatom Vineyards, Firefall Jewelers and American Home Mortgage--the CCF was able to raise its grant funding 20 percent higher than the previous year. The nonprofit CCF, the only countywide philanthropic organization serving residents from children to seniors in areas from health and education to the arts, has awarded more than $175,000 in grants and scholarships to more than 60 civic groups since 2001.

Calaveras Youth Mentoring Program: The CCF grant will help make possible a Five-Year Reunion and Celebration in January 2008 during National Mentoring Month.

Smile Keepers/Calaveras Children’s Dental Project: The CCF grant will replace a specialized dental curing light required for the placement of dental sealants for elementary school students.

Mountain Ranch Community School: The CCF grant will assist the Third Annual Natural High Day (October 26), which encourages students at the alternative education school to explore positive activities.

Calaveras High Band Boosters: The CCF grant will aid the school’s re-formed marching band by funding the purchase of new equipment and uniform accessories.

“These are very worthy projects and we’re pleased to be able to help make them possible,” said Crosson, noting that 27 proposals, a 50 percent increase from the previous year, requested a total of $114,000. “Our mission is to improve the quality of life in Calaveras County and these projects contribute to that goal.”