CNS Pantex announces third round of employee-directed community grants
AMARILLO, Texas – Twenty nonprofits in the Texas Panhandle are better able to expand or continue their missions thanks to grants from Consolidated Nuclear Security’s (CNS) Pantex Community Investment Fund, administered by the Amarillo Area Foundation.
CNS, which manages the Pantex Plant for the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration, announced the recipients in its third round of charitable giving with funds totaling $175,000. The advisory committee gave priority to proposals from organizations located and operating in the 12 contiguous counties surrounding the Pantex Plant, which includes Armstrong, Carson, Deaf Smith, Donley, Gray, Hall, Hutchinson, Moore, Oldham, Potter, Randall and Swisher. Applications for next year will be due in early 2018 through the Amarillo Area Foundation.
“We are very proud to continue our employees’ legacy of giving by contributing to Panhandle area organizations through the CNS Community Investment Fund, “ said Pantex Site Manager Todd Ailes. “Pantex has always been committed to improving and supporting our surrounding communities.”
The company announced the latest round of availability in March as part of its commitment to Amarillo and the surrounding areas. A Pantex Community Investment Advisory Committee of CNS employees reviewed proposals from area non-profit organizations. After evaluations were made, the committee recommended grant awards to CNS management and the Amarillo Area Foundation.
With this year’s grants, CNS has donated $471,000 to area non-profit organizations since 2015 through the Amarillo Area Foundation.
“Our relationship with the Amarillo Area Foundation has enabled our employees to engage in the grant process in such an effective way,” said Jason Bohne, CNS Communications and Public Affairs director. “As a company, we’re happy to partner with community organizations for the betterment of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle—where our employees work, live, and give.”
The advisory committee selected grantee organizations based on the following funding preferences and priorities: Basic Needs, Child and Family Development, Education, Community Development, Financial Literacy, and Health and Wellness.
Organizations and the funds they will receive are as follows:
| Amount Recipient Name | Purpose |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | A World For Children Purchase items for foster care children above what the state funding provides |
| $10,000 | Buckner Children and Family Services Support the Bruce Ford Transition Center's Fostering Youth independence (FYI) program |
| $10,000 | Don Harrington Discovery Center Purchase a portable planetarium system |
| $10,000 | Dumas Area Crisis Pregnancy Center (Dumas) Construct a building for Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Dumas |
| $3,600 | Epilepsy Foundation West Texas Support 2017 Camp Neuron for children with Epilepsy |
| $7,500 | Faith City Inc. Support the Homeless Outreach program |
| $10,000 | Hope & Healing Place Support the remodel of the Heal the City Clinic building |
| $4,400 | Junior Achievement of the Chisolm Trail Support Junior Achievement of the High Plains programming |
| $10,000 | Lions Eye Bank District 2-T1 Support the Lions Eye Bank District 2-T1 sight conservation program |
| $10,000 | Make a Child Smile Support the 2017 Eveline Rivers Christmas Project |
| $10,000 | Make-A-Wish Foundation, Texas Plains Region Fund wishes for clients in the top 26 counties of the Texas Panhandle |
| $10,000 | Panhandle Children's Foundation (Dumas) Upgrade the Electric Grid at Talon Point |
| $10,000 | Panhandle-Plains Historical Society Support the Pathways to Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum project |
| $10,000 | Ronald McDonald House Charities of Amarillo Replace dust ruffles, coverlets, and blankets on the beds |
| $7,500 | Safe Place, Inc. (Dumas) Support Family Assistance costs |
| $10,000 | Sharing Hope Ministry Support program costs for the Lucille and Leo Caiafa, Jr. Center for Advancement |
| $10,000 | The Downtown Women's Center, Inc. Support the Haven House renovation |
| $10,000 | Tralee Crisis Center for Women (Pampa) Support the Safe Shelter project |
| $7,000 | Turn Center Support the counseling program |
CONTACT
Steve Myers
Public Affairs
Office (806) 477-6032
smyers@pantex.com