A Big Check for One School System

By: Amy Kibler | WNCT
Published: February 29, 2008

It’s a big check for one school system here in the east. The Golden Leaf Foundation gave $300,000 to Bertie County Schools for the system's Project Bright Futures program. The program provides computers to students and training for folks in the county. Officials with the foundation say the grant is a great way to help educate and bring new opportunities to an area that is economically distressed. Superintendent Chip Zullinger says the grant will benefit more than just students.

"We've got all these great resources here at school but the truth of the matter is our kids get home, they need to get on the internet and they can't do that. I think that's some of the work we need to look at as a community, as we look at foundations, partnerships, and that kind of thing. It's not only true that our average citizens in this county have that access to the world and begin to see the possibilities for us right here in Bertie County," Zullinger said.

Over the past nine years, the Golden Leaf Foundation has given more than $239 million in grant money to schools across the state.