By KATIE MCDOWELL / Lifestyles Editor

The Shelby County Community Health Foundation recently awarded a $41,950 grant to the Greater Shelby County Education Foundation.

Jennifer Whisenant, president of the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce, which oversees the foundation, said the money will be used to purchase health supplies in Shelby County schools.

“We have gotten the grant before,” she said. “This particular grant goes to all of the Shelby County Schools in varying amounts.”

Jan Cibulski, RN, head nurse of the Shelby County School System, said the grants are used to purchase “just your basic needs to see children every day.” Some of the items the grant will help purchase include medicine cups, protective covers for thermometers, Band-Aids, tissues, paper towels and gauze.

“I think it’s nice that we don’t have to constantly ask the parents to provide these supplies,” Cibulski said.

Whisenant said the Greater Shelby County Education Foundation has received the grant every year since the chamber began overseeing the foundation three years ago. She said the schools often show their appreciation for the grants.

“We’ve received thank you notes from the health rooms in the past,” she said.