Limestone County entities receive grants for work with young people

ATHENS — Three entities in Limestone County will soon receive thousands in additional funding to help local students thanks to grants from The Dekko Foundation, a nonprofit organization based in Indiana.

The private family foundation works to foster economic freedom through the education of children up to the age of 18. It operates within 13 counties in four states — Alabama, Indiana, Iowa, and Minnesota.

The Limestone County youth-serving organizations receiving grants and pledges are:

• Elkmont High School Foundation: $150,000 to support installing a playground at Elkmont Elementary School so young people can be physically active and build positive relationships with peers.
• Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful: $11,323 to support the organization’s use of a mobile planetarium to help young people expand critical-thinking skills and their understanding of the natural world.
• Limestone County Schools: $8,423 to support opportunities for outdoor learning for students at Creekside Primary School that further their understanding of science.

The foundation was started in 1981 by the late businessman and philanthropist Chester E. Dekko. The areas receiving funds were where Dekko conducted much of his business.