For Perry’s Academic, Cultural, and Enrichment Services (PACES) a few grants will be helping out the upcoming summer program.

PACES Director Mary Hillman says people may think the Perry Community School District supports PACES completely, but she says while they do contribute, a lot of funds come in through parent fees and grants. Hillman points to a major community employer that pitched in a generous grant this year. 

“Tyson really stepped up to the plate. I worked with the corporate office out of Arkansas and they gave me 100-percent of what I asked for for our summer program which is $21,760.Thank you Tyson. That money is going to help some families with scholarships, we are doing a backpack take home program on Friday’s for families of need, as well as paying for additional summer staff.”

Hillman tells Raccoon Valley Radio there were also other grants that came in, including the United Way of Central Iowa as well as the Bock Family Foundation, among others. Hillman says the grant money this year was sorely needed. 

“The grants this year were money that we really needed to make up for not being open in April and May last year. Very graciously the Board paid our staff but we had no income coming in.”

Hillman believes the grant funds will make a difference.