By James Massara
CCN News Director
BUCYRUS — The Bucyrus City Schools Board of Education recognized three non-profit organizations for grants received to benefit the auditorium in Bucyrus Elementary School.
Bucyrus City Schools Director of Student Services John Massara, who also acts as the district’s liaison to the Crawford County Community Concert Association Board of Directors, presented certificates of appreciation and acknowledgement to the organizations.
The Timken Foundation, Crawford County Community Foundation and the Shunk Foundation all provided grants for the replacement of and restoration of stage curtains of the elementary school’s auditorium, which the concert association uses for its shows.
Massara wrote grant requests, with the assistance of concert association president Tom Holthouse, and received $13,500 from the Timken Foundation, $8,500 from the Crawford County Community Foundation and $5,000 from the Shunk Foundation.
In attendance to represent each organization, were Tim Hicks and Wayne Kohler, Timken Foundation; Phil Gerber, Shunk Foundation; and Hicks also represented the Crawford County Community Foudation.
Massara said the renovations needed to be completed when severe fading from sunlight was discovered and a substance used to fireproof the curtains damaged the curtains due to its reaction with the humidity level in the school.
He said preventative measure were taken to avoid the same issues occurring to the new curtains.
After Massara recognized the honored attendees, Bucyrus City Schools Superintendent Kevin Kimmel presented a certificate to Massara to show appreciation for the work he completed.
Holthouse commented that Massara was being too modest about the effort he put into the project.
Kimmel said the project was no small undertaking and he appreciated the work Massara and Holthouse accomplished.