Grants totaling $84,004 from the Lakewood-Rocky River Rotary Foundation will provide scholarships, encourage student achievement, fight hunger, and foster programs for community health and wellness.

The total is the largest amount in history, and the 24 grants to local community organizations totaling $61,236 was both the largest number and largest dollar amount of grants in history.

Each year, the Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky River requests grant applications from non-profit organizations that serve our youth, adults and community within Lakewood and Rocky River. Since its creation in 1952 by then-Club President Carl Dryer, the Foundation has enabled the club to provide over $1.25 million in student scholarships and grants, accomplished due to the generosity of the club’s philanthropic membership.

This year, the club will award $15,000 in scholarships to high school seniors and present $5,200 in prizes to student winners in the club’s annual speech, music, and art competition.

A grant of $2,568 was used for the club’s annual literacy project, purchasing dictionaries and reading books for 642 third grade students in Lakewood and Rocky River.

Lakewood Charitable Assistance Corp. received a $5,000 grant to purchase groceries for those in need. The Meals on Wheels Rocky River kitchen was awarded $5,000 to subsidize meals. Help To Others (H2O) received a grant to pay and train summer camp student counselors. Lakewood Alive was awarded $5,000 to start a small business hub to educate owners.

A $4,000 grant will benefit the Lakewood Community Services Center for delivery workers’ salary expenses, and the Rocky River Assistance Program was awarded $4,000 to purchase food to keep its shelves stocked.

Three grants of $3,000 each went to HELP Foundation Inc. for summer youth work experience in Lakewood Park, the Literacy Cooperative for children’s books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, and Elle’s Enchanted Forest for ADA playground equipment.

The Lakewood Rangers Education Foundation was awarded $2,500 for seeds for its hydroponic garden and food for students’ homes. Beck Center received $2,500 for supplies for its Razzle Dazzle disabled students show. The Twice Blessed Free Store, $2,500, to purchase towels, socks, and under garments.

Grants of $2,000 each will go to GiGi’s Playhouse for free therapeutic and educational programs for Downs Syndrome client; Connecting For Kids for a family resource specialist to help families; and Rock-It-Out for spin classes for Parkinson’s patients and caregivers.

The Rocky River Senior Center was awarded $1,500 to buy seeds to grow fruit and vegetables in its greenhouse. The Rocky River Parks and Recreation Foundation, $1,500 for five Summer Nights movies and concert events, and Youth Challenger, $1,500 to train youth volunteers to work with clients.

Grants of $1,000 each were awarded to Madison Court Community Coalition, food and supplies for Maison Park activities; Center for Aging in a Digital World, its teens and seniors tech digital literacy program; Lakewood Public Library, funding for kits and workshops for youth STEAM and the Village Project for home-delivered meals to 23 Rocky River cancer patients.

Welcome House will receive $736 for hydroponic equipment for the Bunts Road IDD apartment building.