Since Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick Jr. took office in 2016, the annual Mayor’s Ball has provided $358,000 in grants to local educators.
When Broderick took office, he started directing the funds raised through the annual event implemented by former Mayor Kevin Smith to go to educators.
Except for the COVID-19 pandemic year, the annual Mayor’s Ball has taken place in seven of the past eight years.
The ball conducted in 2023 raised approximately $45,000, and 54 local educators have submitted applications for funding.
“I wanted to show our support and appreciation for our teachers who work every day to ensure that our most valuable asset, our children, have the best education in order that they will be able to have opportunities that will lead to successful futures,” Broderick said in a press release.
He said without presenting sponsors like Community Hospital Anderson and Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing and Casino the event would not be as successful.
“I can tell you that the teachers are fully grateful for these grants,” Broderick said. “I am hopeful that we will be able to continue with this event well into the future and we are already preparing for this year’s.”
Randy Harrison, president of the Anderson Federation of Teachers, said Thursday the grant program is important and significant.
“It allows teachers to enhance what they are normally doing in their classrooms,” he said. “It provides funding that allows teachers to do something different to the learning experience.”
The maximum grant amount is $2,000 and the program is open to all Anderson Community School, Anderson Preparatory Academy, D26 Career Center, Holy Cross Elementary and Liberty Christian educators.
This article appeared in The Herald Bulletin.