Avedis Foundation has awarded an $82,800 grant to Seminole Public Schools for the completion of a new outdoor fitness court at Seminole High School.

The accessible, circuit-style fitness facility will serve Seminole Public School students, Seminole State College students, and community members of all ages and abilities, providing a free, safe space for physical activity during daylight hours outside of school use.

The fitness court is a functional circuit-training facility featuring seven workout zones with equipment designed for varying ability levels. The court includes fully accessible surfacing and adaptive options for wheelchair users, individuals using mobility aids, and older adults.

“Seminole Public Schools is honored and grateful for the generous grant from the Avedis Foundation. We are excited for the positive impact this will bring to the health and well-being of our families, students, and neighbors,” said Dr. Bob Gragg, Superintendent of Seminole Public Schools.

Seminole Public Schools has already secured $150,700 through grants from the National Fitness Campaign/Blue Cross Blue Shield partnership and the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). The Avedis Foundation award closes the remaining gap needed to purchase and install the facility.

“Avedis Foundation is proud to support Seminole Public Schools in building infrastructure that makes healthy choices easier. The Fitness Court will benefit students today and strengthen community wellness for years to come,” said Kathy Laster, Ph.D., President and CEO, Avedis Foundation.

Avedis Foundation is a private foundation established in Shawnee in 2012. It accepts grant requests from eligible Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and other non-taxable entities in Pottawatomie County and surrounding communities through our online application process. Applicants are requested to review the grant guidelines thoroughly to determine whether their organization is eligible for consideration. The Foundation operates two grant cycles per year, with proposal deadlines of August 15th and January 15th. (Small grants may be considered more often on a discretionary basis.) The Foundation utilizes an electronic Grants Management System for application submissions. When preparing for a grant, please review the Foundation’s website, and specifically the “How to Apply” pages on the website (avedisfoundation. org) for more instructions.

Avedis Foundation supports public agencies, educational institutions, municipalities and other not-for-profit organizations. Orga- nizations must be within Pottawatomie County or the surrounding communities of Seminole, Meeker, Chandler, Prague, and Little Axe. Priority will be given to projects that are collaborative in nature, involving two or more eligible organizations. collaborative partnerships.