August 8, 2023 - Two organizations were the recipients of the 50 Women Impact group’s grant money totaling $10,800 for the third quarter of 2023. Smyrna Kids and the Shelby County Historical Commission each were presented a $5,400 check on Tuesday, August 8.
Shelby County Historical Commission
The Shelby County Historic Courthouse is a registered historic landmark. The S.C. Historical Commission is committed to its upkeep and ensuring its restoration and maintenance. The requested funds will be used for ceiling repair and painting as well as the installation of period appropriate lighting on the first floor of the courthouse. If the courthouse is going to be preserved as a historic site for future generations, repairs and renovations have to be done – funds are needed to make it happen. Success is measured when a historic site is preserved for future generations and not allowed to deteriorate.
Smyrna Kids
50 Women Impact grant funds will be used to sustain and grow Smyrna Kids - a program that is making a difference in the lives of children and families in Shelby County.
Over the course of the last year, Smyrna Community Church's Smyrna Kids, an after-school ministry and Sunday bus rider program, has grown astronomically. In a post-Covid world and at inception, Smyrna Kids typically had 8-10 students who attended faithfully. Now the program averages between 80-100 students each Wednesday after school and 20-40 on weekends. 90% of the students who attend, travel to and from the program on church activity buses. Recently, the church converted its parsonage into more space for classes because the program was quite literally, bursting at the seams. With an operational budget of $0, Smyrna Kids is funded entirely by generous contributions from the community. While it has been tremendously blessed to have such support, it takes every dollar contributed to maintain the program, supply safe transportation, and provide nutritious meals to the participants. While growing numbers are certainly a positive indicator of program success, what is even more important is the impact Smyrna Kids program has had on the students individually, their families and subsequently the community.
