Abused, neglected children
benefit from Grande Communications grant
April 17, 2006

DENTON, Texas - A $2,000 grant from Grande Communications will help ensure that children admitted to the Nelson Children’s Center in Denton will have clothing and personal items as well as school supplies. The funds will also provide the children with a suitcase when they leave the center for a foster or adoptive home.

The Nelson Children’s Center, an affiliated ministry of Lutheran Social Services, specializes in treating abused, neglected and troubled boys and girls ages 5 to 16. The children often arrive at the center with very little in the way of clothing and personal items.

Grande Communications has been a consistent supporter of children’s services provided by Lutheran Social Services. The grant to the Nelson Children’s Center was made through Grande Communications Passion and Commitment Investment Club, a company-matching, philanthropic program in which employees donate a percentage of their salary and time to charities that address basic human needs and services, or provide access to technology in the communities Grande serves. Since its inception, more than 50 percent of Grande’s employees have enrolled in the program and the P&C Investment Club has contributed almost $861,000 to a variety of organizations.

The Nelson Center, which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary on Thursday, April 20, provides its residents with individual and group therapy, structured activities, and on site education through Trinity Charter School. The center also provides music therapy, self esteem building and anger management.

“It is through the generosity of organizations like Grande Communications and its employees that the Nelson Center is able to go the extra mile for these very deserving children,” said Cheryl Rayl, chief executive officer of the center.

For more information on the Nelson Center’s 10 Anniversary celebration, call volunteer coordinator Kristy McKinney, at (940) 484-9832.