SOAR lands grant from Gates Foundation

Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation (SOAR) has received a $100,000 building construction grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Tom Coffield, SOAR Program Director, submitted the grant in mid January.

"This is such a great beginning and should be very helpful in creating further grant funding," Coffield said.

A new SOAR activities complex will be built entirely from grants, donations and fundraising. Coffield has applied to five foundations for building fund assistance.

Because of future changes at its current middle school location, SOAR is obligated to move its existing modular buildings. The organization also has a master plan which includes activities areas for community use, a teen center, and a small gymnasium.

The Gates Foundation capital support grant is provided for the new youth center.

It is available through 2004.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is dedicated to improving people's lives by sharing advances in health and learning.