The board of directors for the Tucker Community Foundation (TCF) conducted its fall meeting Oct. 21 at the Parsons Senior Citizen Center. The main order of business was determining 2009 competitive grant award recipients.

Based on applications received, more than $39,900 will be awarded to 28 applicants from the foundation's six-county service area for a broad variety of charitable causes, civic organizations and community projects.

Area libraries benefiting from grant awards include: Five Rivers Public Library in Parsons for a book-covering system; Pioneer Memorial Public Library in Harman to purchase books for young readers; and Mt. Top Library in Thomas for computer upgrades.

Health-related grants were awarded to the Foundation of Monongalia General Hospital for the 2010 Tucker County Health Fair, the Barbour County Emergency Squad for a Stryker Stair Chair, Central West Virginia Center for Pregnancy Care for the Babies Safe, Seat and Sleep Program, Hospice Care Corp. for its volunteer program, and the St. George Medical Clinic for equipment upgrades.

Local churches will benefit from awards in support of the Blackwater Ministerial Food Bank and the Parsons Ministerial Association.

Area organizations receiving assistance include Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council for the Journey's Program, West Virginia Highland Artisans Group for the START program, The Old Brick Playhouse for its apprenticeship program, Barbour County Family Resource Network, Valley Head Voluntter Fire Department, Canaan Valley Volunteer Fire Department, Harman EMS, Tucker County EMS, Special Olympics of Tucker County, Tucker County Historical Society for an archiving project, Tucker County Senior Citizens for non-emergency medical transportation and Tucker County 4-H JETS Club for an equine camp and trip.

Tucker County Schools received a grant for a journalism project to promote and enhance student/community communication and Davis/Thomas Elementary Middle School received funding for athletic equipment.

A project for digitizing art images was awarded from the Busk and DelSignore funds.

In addition to competitive awards, the Harman Fund of TCF has awarded more than $382,000 to the city of Parsons since the start of 2009 for the Parsons Cemetery, two parks, Five Rivers Public Library and for the "benefit of the citizens of Parsons." Funds totaling $2,200 were also awarded from the Lindsey & Addie Reed Scholarship Fund and the Davis Cemetery Fund, both TCF endowed funds.

The foundation received 50 applications this year with requests exceeding $225,000. Grant applications for 2010 will be available online after Aug. 1 and the deadline to apply is Sept. 17, 2010.

Tucker Community Foundation serves Barbour, Grant, Preston, Pocahontas, Randolph and Tucker counties. For a detailed list of grant awards, visit the grants link at www.tuckerfoundation.net.

For more information about the Foundation, call 478-2930.