At its Annual Charitable Grants Award Luncheon on Thurs., May 26, the Madison Rotary Club presented grants to 53 local charitable organizations, representing the Arts, Education, Social Services, Youth Programs and Athletics.  John Meek, chair of the Madison Rotary Charitable Grants Committee, cited that the Madison Rotary distributes more than $80,000 in direct support to the local community including college scholarships, youth exchange programs, dictionaries for Madison 3rd graders, and End Hunger 3.6 Project. In addition, Madison Rotarians contribute thousands of hours of volunteer time.   

Meek introduced the Grants Committee members who presented the checks in various categories.

“Improving Our Community” went to Madison Christmas Committee, Madison Community Pool, Madison Fire Department, Madison May Day, Thursday Morning Club/Madison Community House.

“Supporting Education And Youth Groups” went to The Adult School of the Chathams, Madison & Florham Park; American Legion Post #43, Central Avenue School PTO, Friends of the Madison Public Library, Girl Scouts of Northern NJ, Literacy Volunteers of Morris County, Madison Athletic Foundation, Madison Education Foundation, Madison Ice Hockey Booster Club, Madison High School Graduation Gala, Madison Junior School Athletic Organization, Madison Little League, Madison Music Association, Madison Take Down Club, NORWESCAP, Patriots Path Council—Boy Scouts of America, Team Eagle Foundation

“Sponsoring The Arts” went to Baroque Orchestra of NJ, Bickford Theatre, Chatham Community Players, Dance Innovations, Harmonium Choral Society, Madison Arts and Cultural Alliance, Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, Playwrights of NJ, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.

“Helping Those With Special Needs” went to Cheshire Home, Easter Seals of NJ/Camp Merry Heart, ECLC of NJ.

“Funding Community Services” went to Bridges Outreach, Chabad of Southeast Morris County, Creature Comfort Pet Therapy, Community Soup Kitchen and Outreach Center, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Morris and Sussex Counties), Deirdre O’Brien Child Advocacy Center, EPOCH, Family Promise of Morris County, Grace Counseling Center, Halos for Angels, Interfaith Food Pantry, Madison Area YMCA, Morris Habitat  for Humanity, Preschool Advantage, Project Community Pride, Senior Services Center of the Chathams, Visiting Nurse Association of Northern NJ, Women’s Center at County College of Morris.