Today, staff at Battelle for Kids signed about 100 'thank you' cards provided by Grandma's Gifts that will be sent to the VA Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio (Appalachia). Thank you BFK staff! The cards were put in the mail on July 1 and are to be delivered on July 2!

(Image: Melanie Wightman, Army mother of Captain Jeff Wightman, a two-time deployed (Iraq & Afghanastan) USA and now USA-Reserve, signing 'thank you' cards for Grandma's Gifts!)

Today we made it possible for 12 children to attend the Ohio University Southern Campus Academy of Excellence! We did this by providing $600 for 12 partial scholarships for this two-week long camp for talented and gifted children in south Ohio (Appalachia). To quality for assistance children must apply and their school must verify that they are both "gifted" as well as part of the Federal Free & Reduced Lunch Program.

At Grandma's Gifts we LOVE the Academy of Excellence for a variety of reasons, but here are a few:

• Classes are taught by talented teachers or regional experts who have a love of learning and want to continue their craft during the summer months!
  
• The camp is sponsored by the Ohio University Southern Campus which means their University experts are part of the planning and organizing!
• Classes are available for grades 1 through 6 and go through two full weeks!
  
• While we think of "summer camp" as crafts and camping, this is a bit different -- the Academy of Excellence allows talent and gifted children the ability to continue their learning throughout the summer on topics like science, math, history and culture, art, creative writing, clothing design, computers and technology, health, and even self-esteem! (WE LOVE THAT PART!!!)
  
• We are able to provide scholarships so children who wanted to attend but were afraid they would not be able to, can!
  

We suggest  you learn more about the Academy of Excellence here. If you like what you read then help us provide more scholarships this year by donating today!

Today four, five, six, and seven year old children as well as high school age volunteers signed over 100 'thank you' cards to the VA Hospital in Chillicothe, Ohio (Appalachian Ohio)! The children signed the cards after hearing Emily speak at the Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School in Powell, Ohio on how anyone, any age can make a difference!

Today we were able to donate $300 in veterinary services to a southern Ohio Appalachian Pound for two very, very sick puppies to save their lives. We are honored to be able to assist in this way! Thank you donors for supporting this very specific work!

Today we received a donation check for $36.57 from Kroger as a result of everyone who supports Grandma's Gifts as a part of the Kroger Rewards program. For this we are thankful to Kroger and our donors for any and ALL donations!

If you shop at Kroger and are part of Kroger Community Rewards, you can sign-up to help Grandma's Gifts every time you shop (for free)! Learn more here!