CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – Clarksville Parks + Recreation is proud to announce that it has received a $7,580 Quality of Life grant from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The award was one of 107 grants totaling over $735,482 awarded by the Reeve Foundation to nonprofit organizations nationwide that provide more opportunities, access, and daily quality of life for individuals living with paralysis, their families, and caregivers. Conceived by the late Dana Reeve, the program has awarded over 2,600 grants totaling over $19 million since 1999.
Clarksville Parks + Recreation will use the grant to purchase 4 sport wheelchairs to expand sports programming for Paralympic Sport Club Clarksville. Currently the club has 5 sport wheelchairs.
In 2011, Clarksville Parks + Recreation partnered with the U.S. Paralympics to create Paralympic Sport Clarksville to engage athletes of all ages and with a variety of abilities to participate in sports regardless of their skill level. Paralympic Sport Clarksville currently offers wheelchair basketball, archery, and adaptive swim lessons.
“I truly appreciate the Reeve Foundation for their generosity and commitment to making sure that every person, regardless of physical ability, is able to participate fully in all kinds of activities. This grant will allow us to involve more participants in this important and exciting programming. We look forward to continuing growth in the Paralympic Sport Club Clarksville,” said City of Clarksville Mayor, Kim McMillan.
“The Reeve Foundation is committed to supporting programs and resources that foster independent living, improved health and community engagement,” said Donna Valente, Director, Quality of Life Grants, Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. “The recognized grantees are instrumental to our work at the Reeve Foundation as we strive to serve the disability community with a roadmap of resources and programs to enhance their quality of life.”
Awarded twice yearly, grant requests were evaluated and scored based on a rigorous review process to determine funding for organizations that improve daily life for those living with paralysis, as well as their families and caregivers. This cycle, the Reeve Foundation strategically focused on projects that address the needs of people with paralysis living in underserved areas, designated as groups or county or civil divisions in which residents have a shortage of personal health services or face economic, cultural or linguistic barriers to healthcare.