The Rockets "kicked off" a program yesterday that will
"award grants to inner-city groups for small projects to
improve neighborhoods," according to Armando Villafranca of
the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The goal of the program -- called
Vecinos Unidos, or Neighbors United -- "is to encourage
civic groups to improve their neighborhoods and promote
education and other activities that benefit the community."
Under the program, civic clubs and nonprofit groups "can
apply for grants" of up to $1,000 to "buy playground
equipment, start neighborhood cleanup projects or fund any
other need." Rockets Dir of Community Services Sara Joseph
said that the organization "has set aside" $50,000 for
grants through its Houston Rockets Clutch City Foundation.
Applicants "must be tax-exempt certified and have clearly
defined goals and objectives for using the funds." Joseph
added that a volunteer advisory board of civic leaders and
Rockets reps "will look for projects with matching funds
from other resources" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/13).
DREAM WEAVERS: In Toronto, David Shoalts writes that
NHLPA Dir of Business Operations Mike Gartner and Goals &
Dreams Fund Manager Devin Smith "will be distributing more
than 200 sets of hockey equipment to children's hockey
organizations in three small towns" over the next two weeks
in Siberia, Russia and the Czech Republic. Shoalts writes
that Gartner, Smith and the NHLPA can say the Goals & Dreams
program "has been a success so far on all levels. While not
all of the [$3M] has been distributed this year, more than
25 grants have been made so far" (GLOBE & MAIL, 10/13).
