By Glenn Rolfe

GEORGETOWN — From the young to older adults, 14 organizations are the 2024 recipients of grants from the Georgetown Recreation, Education, Arts Trust.

The fund is supported by a percentage of fees collected by the town for developmental permits.

On Monday, Town Council unanimously approved the GREAT Fund Committee’s recommendations for the awards.

Topping the list was the Georgetown Public Library, which was granted $16,500, followed by the Richard Allen Coalition ($7,500) and CHEER Inc. ($6,500).

The total amount available this year was $75,720.66, according to town manager Eugene Dvornick. The sum requested was $199,500.

Grants ranged from $1,000 to $16,500.

Last year, eight nonprofits received more than $111,000 via the GREAT fund.

Those eligible must have specific programs or materials related to recreation, education and the arts for citizens of Georgetown.

This year’s other recipients were Clothing Our Kids, $2,000; Easter Seals, $5,000; Everlasting Hope Ministries, $5,000; the First State Community Action Agency, $3,000; Georgetown Little League, $5,000; the Green Beret Project, $4,220.66; the Historic Georgetown Association, $5,000; La Esperanza, $5,000; Pathways to Success, $5,000; Primeros Pasos, $5,000; and the Sussex Central Wrestling Boosters, $1,000.

“Looking over this list, we can see that it is going to help a lot of children,” Mayor Bill West noted Monday. “And that’s what it’s about.”

The committee — comprised of Linda Dennis, Jon Peterson, Ed Reynolds, Natisha Wise and chair Renee Hickman — met June 13, July 23 and July 28. On July 23, presentations were made by each organization requesting funding.