LAGRANGE - The LaGrange County Community Foundation awarded ten LIFE grants totaling $17,495 to area organizations and schools during its 2024 LIFE grant cycle.

The grants will address educational and youth projects in LaGrange County.

LIFE is a youth philanthropy program of the LaGrange County Community Foundation. Members represent Lakeland, Westview and Prairie Heights High Schools, with one representative from each grade level from 9-12 grades. The students learn about philanthropy and charitable giving and are responsible for reviewing and making funding recommendations for the LIFE funds at the Foundation.

Prairie Heights High School received a grant of $1,050 to help purchase professional style mixers for its culinary program. The culinary students have catered meals for athletic teams, provided refreshments for dances and made muffins and cookies for the food service at Prairie Heights.

Westview Elementary School also received a grant of $1,800 to help purchase display boards for the Westview Elementary Art Show.

Additional 2024 LIFE Grant recipients include: Community Harvest Food Bank, Kids BackPack and TeenPak Hunger Relief Initiative, $2,500; Crossroads United Way, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library LaGrange County, $2,500; LaGrange County Department of Parks & Recreation, Adventure Bound 2024, $2,500; Prairie Heights Football Boosters, Prairie Heights Football Annual Free Youth Camp, $1,800; Westview Elementary School, Personal Hygiene Supply Packs, $2,020; Westview Jr-Sr High School, aMAYzing Crew (technology), $2,125; Westview Jr-Sr High School, Oakley's Cardio Drumming Squad, $700; and Youth for Christ Northern Indiana, Westview Campus Life, $500.

Leanna Martin, Community Foundation Program Director and LIFE Navigator, says grants awarded through the LIFE Program provide members with grantmaking and charitable giving experience. She says it’s an excellent way for youth to be a part of the bigger picture within LaGrange County.