LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $10,000 grant to Burton ISD for a shade cover at the Burton Elementary School playground. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet board member; Kate Holman, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet community development representative; Melinda Fuchs, Burton Elementary principal; Kirk Hanath, Washington County commissioner; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Joy Fuchs, Washington County commissioner; Teresa Shuey, Burton ISD Parent Teacher Organization vice president; Dr. Edna Kennedy, Burton ISD superintendent; Felicity Shuey, student; Adison Harmel, student; Augustus Shuey, student; Rachel Harmel, PTO secretary; Devlin Douglas, student; Camryn Douglas, student; and Austen Bostain, student.

A popular community playground will receive some relief from the Texas sun this summer thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $2,500 in matching contributions, will allow the Burton Independent School District to install a shade cover at Burton Elementary School’s playground, which also is open to the entire community.

“As we approach the sunniest period of our Texas year, sun safety and heatstroke prevention are realistic concerns in our community, especially for our youngest and most vulnerable citizens,” said Teresa Shuey, Burton ISD Parent Teacher Organization vice president.

The district recently partnered with the Washington County Boys and Girls Club, which uses the elementary school facility for its summer program. Shuey said the program has increased use of the playground tenfold during summer, but intense heat prevents the program from using the playground during the middle of the day.

“Shade at the playground will help ensure our children’s health and well-being and encourage year-round physical activity,” Shuey said. “This grant is going to make a positive difference in our community. We are so grateful for the support from LCRA and Bluebonnet for this improvement.”

The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted July 1-31. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.