(EFFINGHAM, Illinois – October 1, 2023) The Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the Heather Began Education Grant Fund awarded two grants for the Fall 2023 grant season.
Lindsey Wendling, a Kindergarten teacher at Altamont Grade School, received $500 for a “Create Storage” project. The grant will provide students with a new wooden storage unit for math literacy centers that is student-focused and will provide students with choices. Lindsey states, “I would also feel honored to be awarded this special grant in Heather’s memory. Before I received my first teaching job, I was able to get to know Heather through substitute teaching. We would share little moments about our days and dream of the days we would have our own classrooms. I hope to instill the same spirit and positivity for teaching and learning that Heather always showed.”
Karan Greuel at the Ballard Nature Center received $500 for “Summer Fun Camp.” The grant will be used to purchase several types of yard games and for summer camp craft activities. The yard games will enhance summer camp programs and offer additional opportunities for the participants, and will continue to be used in summer camps and family programs for years to come. The grant will also offer more camp activities for older children with the purchase of craft supplies. Crafts relate to and reinforce the topics of the camps and are a favorite part of the day for many of the attendees.
Robert and Julie Began, along with their daughter, Hannah, established the Heather Began Memorial Education Fund in memory of their daughter, Heather, (pictured here) who passed away in October 2019.
