Chamber Awards Mini-Grants to Students

            The Milford Chamber of Commerce Education Committee -- chaired by Scott Moulton of Capital Management -- is delighted to announce they are awarding 10 Student Mini Grants totaling $2,278.49 to various students in Milford for community projects. 

Mouton noted that the criteria for the awards are that the projects have to be personally rewarding and demonstrate a benefit to the Milford community–which is broadly defined.  The applicants must submit an application that includes a business plan, including a budget; produce their products; and then make a presentation to the committee upon the completion of the project in the spring. 

            Abbey Guerino of Lauralton Hall is awarded $250 for her project entitled, “Lap Blankets for Wheelchair bound Seniors."  A group of 24 students will be producing the lap blankets by hand and presenting them to residents of West River Nursing Home. 

            Nicole Fernous of Joseph A. Foran High School along with 24 other members of the Milford Girl’s Volunteer Organization are awarded $250 for “Helping Hands.”  This project will help produce dinners for the needy at the Beth-El Celter.  They will be visiting veterans on Veteran’s Day, have a flag ceremony, sing patriotic songs and produce red, white and blue containers that contain sugar- free candy, write poems, and make holidays cards for soldiers overseas. 

            Mary Reidy of the Milford Girls Volunteer Organization with the help of 24 other students will make, sell and distribute pies for the benefit of the AIDS patients and their families in New Haven County.  Their project is entitled Pie in the Sky and they will be awarded $250.

            Andrew Fowler of Jonathan Law High School is helping produce the “Giving Tree" and his group will be awarded $250.  The National Honor Society will work with social workers from Bridges in order to provide children toys at holiday time. 

            Zachary Dortenzio of Platt Tech along with his class will make Thanksgiving Dinner for 180 persons at the Milford Senior Center.  They shop and make the buffet that takes three days of preparation.  They are awarded $250.

            Angel Melenez of Platt is awarded $250 for the Peer Mediation Training Program.  They will use students as facilitators to help their classmates in problem conflict.  This project will benefit the community by promoting respect, recognition of diversity and compromise.  These skills will remain with the 18 mediators as they become adults in the community.

            Erin O’Shea, Jenna Holt and Michelle Paoletta from Joseph A. Foran High School will receive $36.49 to help defray the cost of supplies needed to clean up Gulf Beach which is near to their homes.  By doing so they hope to gain leadership skills as they plan an event and recruit volunteers. 

            James Ralston of Jonathan Law High School will receive a $250 award to fund the Recognition Banquet for the Adaptive Sports Athletes.  This event will be a banquet for children with special needs and their families who participate in the Adaptive Sports Program.  They will recognize children for their hard work and perseverance when learning new skills. 

            Ian Hugo of West Shore Middle School will receive a $250 award for his project “After-School Table Tennis Club.”  He hopes to start and after-school program and share his skills with others. 

            Lyric McVoy of Harborside Middle School will be awarded $242 for the “Fun Fitness Club.”  This club will promote keeping healthy by having a good time learning to understand how many steps a person should take every day.  Pedometers will be used to record the steps they take and work towards eliminating obesity.  They will track their progress for 8 weeks as they study diet, calories burned, and exercise.  They will produce a booklet of recommendations to share with students in their school and at a Gifted Program presentation to parents and students.

            These awards are made annually by the Milford Chamber of Commerce and can be applied to by middle and high school students in the fall of every year. Applications will be on the Milford chamber website www.milfordcy.com in the fall 2011 for anyone wishing to apply.