The Community Foundation of Boone County (CFBC) recently awarded four non-profit organizations for combatting teen vaping a corresponding $30,000 grant: SAWs, the Boone County Cancer Society, ILLAD, and Boone County Senior Services.
“About a year earlier, our grants committee tried to look at our 2022 blueprint and how well we can influence areas in Boone County that we thought we needed to address; regions where we believed we could improve our performance,” said Jodi Gietl, president and CEO of CFBC. “The seniors, the disabled, and psychological well-being were three main aspects that stood out to us.”
All four non-profits raised more than $30,000, and each of them will return the monies to the community in some way, however, the Cancer Society had a different agend a.
“The Cancer Society is quite privileged; we’ve had a great deal of success in raising funds, so we needed to offer this cash back to the educational establishments since we knew it was necessary for the community,” Joy Kaylor, executive director of the Boone County Cancer Society, explained.
The organization gave both Western Boone School Corporation and Lebanon School Corporation $15,000 each to acquire vape detection systems for their schools.
“This grant from the Community Foundation of Boone County and Boone County Cancer Society provided us with the necessary boost and assistance to implement this improvement to our local schools,” said Western Boone Jr.-Sr. High School Principal Brent Miller. “We are deeply grateful.”
The detectors notify the administration whenever the chemical composition of the air changes, such as with THC, vapes, or cigarettes.
Some may be surprised that electronic cigarettes have become a critical concern among youth, but the Cancer Society is all too aware of the current situation.
“There’s a misperception as they were supposed to help smokers quit,” Erin Huse, BCCS program coordinator, explained. “Nevertheless, vaporizers aren’t controlled by the FDA, and with various flavors provided and the ease of accessing them, our youngsters are finding it really alluring.”
According to the BCCS, research suggests that a 50ml vape pen comprises approximately 800 puffs, which is equal to five packs of cigarettes.
“Some children use three to four cartridges each week, which is equivalent to 20 packs of cigarettes, and it’s not just tobacco, but all of these uncontrolled substances that cause cancer as well as other problems,” Huse explained. “It’s not any more secure than cigarettes, and it might even be terrible.”
Kaylor stated that vape merchandise is still far new to comprehend the full extent of the damage done, but the BCCS was aware that schools had requested assistance with this matter and were unsure where to begin, making the financial support a thrilling move in the correct direction.
Each school corporation will have to be able to buy approximately 15 vape detection systems to place throughout the school.
“We hope that by discouraging students from wanting to vape for the first time, we would be able to make a significant influence on this societal issue,” said Dr. Jon Milleman, superintendent of the Lebanon Community School Corporation.
It was a simple decision for the BCCS.
“We access such incredible support from the community, and we’d like to give that back,” Kaylor said. “While we collaborate with cancer victims, we also intend to address preventative measures.” “What better method of spreading the word than to perform what we’re practicing?”
Gietl was pleased to see the results of CFBC’s grant work.
“We are so fortunate to be able to invest $120,000 in Boone County.” “We want individuals to become accustomed to giving,” said Gietl. “People are drawn to the spirit of benevolence, and Boone County delivered in spades.”
The fourth annual Day of Giving Back was recently held at CFBC. Workers spent the day driving around the county presenting $1,000 grants to ten different non-profit organizations.
“Rather than asking for money, we thought, why not give money away?” Gietl explained. “We literally pick ten non-profits at random, and it’s such an enjoyable way to spend the day.” We are fortunate to remain on the shoulders of people who have gone in front of us. Each year, we can reinvest $1.2 million in the community. Envisage what we could accomplish if we had more.”
