The Community Foundation of Boone County and Boone County Cancer Society (BCCS) have partnered together to make a much-needed impact in Boone County school systems. Through a $30,000 matching grant from the Community Foundation of Boone County, the Boone County Cancer Society is able to provide more than 80 vape detectors for placement in Lebanon Middle School, Lebanon High School, and Western Boone Jr.-Sr. High School.
The detectors, purchased from Halo at a discounted educational rate, will alert school officials when the air quality makeup is off and detects an unsafe substance in the air. While the schools primarily focus on the makeup that comes from vaping, these detectors can also detect substances like carbon monoxide, cigarettes, marijuana, and more. The detectors also provide safety for the students and staff by alerting officials if noise levels increase drastically or if keywords are spoken into the detector.
BCCS knew there was a problem with vapes once speaking to both Lebanon and Western Boone schools. “We want to help kickstart implementation to stop this problem and help kids get the support they need”, said Erin Huse, Program Coordinator of Boone County Cancer Society. “These devices were purchased for the school with the intention of decreasing the issue in our school systems and youth.”
“We hope this will deter students from trying vaping for the first time and be able to make a major impact on this societal problem”, said Dr. Milleman, Superintendent of Lebanon Community School Corporation.
The Boone County Cancer Society wants to focus on the prevention of using this harmful device. The nicotine in vaping devices affects memory, concentration, and mood, while also increasing anxiety, stress, heart rate, and blood pressure. When using vapes at a young age, kids become highly addicted and are more likely to continue using them into adulthood.
We know this will not end the problem but we have hope that it will decrease the percentage of teens using these harmful devices.
Usage leads to so many greater health issues, with a major one being cancer.
This grant from the Boone County Cancer Society and Community foundation of Boone County gave us the needed boost and support to make this enhancement to our local schools.
We are extremely grateful!
This $30,000 grant comes as part of CFBC’s 2022 impact granting focus. To date, more than CFBC has awarded $345,000 in milestone impact grants to address local unmet needs throughout the county:
$75,000 to Isaiah 117 House Boone County – a nonprofit providing support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement
$150,000 to the Big 4 Trail for murals and mile marker signage
$30,000 to SAWs (Servants At Work, Inc.) – a volunteer organization specializing in building wooden wheelchair ramps for low-income, permanently disabled individuals
$30,000 to ILADD, Inc. (Intellectual Living for Adults with Development/Intellectual Disabilities) – a nonprofit providing housing, enrichment/educational programs, and social options that enable adults with developmental or intellectual disabilities to live in their own homes and enjoy fulfilling and meaningful lives in their communities
$30,000 to Boone County Senior Services, Inc. – a nonprofit focused on promoting independence and providing enriching opportunities to allow seniors to lead meaningful, healthy lives
$30,000 to Boone County Cancer Society
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF BOONE COUNTY
Since 1991, the Community Foundation of Boone County has granted over $28 million from its various funds to nonprofit organizations and programs working to solve critical challenges in Boone County. Through the generosity of donors, the Community Foundation currently holds over $30 million in net assets. In the past 30 years, we have worked with donors to create permanent funds for charitable giving. The establishment and growth of permanent endowment funds will strengthen Boone County for generations to come.