Because of the generosity of donors and the insight of the Hillsboro Community Foundation, many students at Hillsboro Elementary School have been able to participate in extracurricular activities they couldn’t have otherwise afforded, after-school program coordinator Mike Moran said recently.

HES’ after-school program was one of 10 organizations that received grants in February from the Hillsboro Area Impact Fund. The $1,000 grant has helped 11 students participate in JAM basketball and other activities, Moran said.

The grant and previous grants from the foundation have allowed the program to pay the fees for students to participate in soccer, flag football, cheerleading camp, gymnastics, baseball, swim team, and swim lessons. The grant also helps fund HES Chess Club.

“Several months have passed since we received this grant, but it is at this time of the year we come to really appreciate how much this grant helps us,” he said.

Grants from the foundation — as well as the donations that make those grants possible — demonstrate a strong local commitment to giving every child an opportunity to be part of something special.

“Having the Hillsboro Area Impact Fund as part of the Hillsboro community sends a clear message to everyone around the state on what this community values,” Moran said.