Alcoa awards grants to five local organizations

Alcoa Power Generating Inc. announced that it has recently awarded five grants to local community organizations, including $5,000 to fund diving equipment for the Rowan County Rescue Squad and $5,000 to help the John Murray Community Care Clinic provide medications and medical supplies.

“We’re excited to announce these contributions that will help provide healthcare for the uninsured, support women who have been abused, and help educate and feed underprivileged children in our community,” said Nicole Wright, who manages Alcoa’s community grants in North Carolina.

Contributions announced by Alcoa include:

A $5,000 grant to the Rowan County Rescue Squad to purchase four underwater facemasks and buoyancy control devices for divers. The equipment will be used by divers who conduct underwater search and rescue operations at High Rock Lake.

“The equipment is imperative to the safety of the rescue squad dive team,” said Eddie Cress, Rowan County Rescue Squad Chief. “We appreciate Alcoa’s assistance in making this purchase possible.”

A $5,000 grant to the John Murray Community Care Clinic, a healthcare clinic in Albemarle that was founded by a retired physician in Stanly County in 1998 to provide quality care for the working poor in Stanly County. The clinic does not receive any federal, state or local funding. The Alcoa grant will allow the clinic to provide $5,000 worth of medications and medical supplies.

A $1,000 grant to Esther House, a women’s clinic in Stanly County that provides safe shelter, education, counseling and other support services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Alcoa grant will be used to provide training for Esther House counselors.

A $1,000 grant to Communities in Schools of Rowan County, a mentoring program that serves 2,500 children in Rowan County. The Alcoa grant will allow Communities In Schools to help feed underprivileged students during the weekend.

A $1,000 grant to Operation North State, a volunteer organization based in Winston-Salem that provides military support service programs within North Carolina, including care packages for wounded warriors and deployed troops. The Alcoa grant will help Operation North State serve more military members.

Alcoa has a long history of supporting community programs in Yadkin region. Alcoa and the Alcoa Foundation have contributed more than $4 million to worthwhile causes in the central North Carolina in the past 25 years.