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CASH Coalition awards funding for school projects

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The Coordinated Action for School Health (CASH) Coalition recently awarded health and wellness funding for nine local school projects. Recipient representatives, from left, front row, Hannah Sevek (East Liverpool Westgate), Dominic Bryan (East Liverpool Westgate student), Francine McBride (ACH), Elizabeth Sherry (East Palestine Middle School), Pamela Marshall (ELCH), Suzanne Harding (Salem Jr. High), Melissa Galbreath (CASH Coalition), Andrea Groubert (United Local), Allison Zepernick (FRC), Olivia Ashburn (United Local student); back row, Elijah Chestnut (East Liverpool Westgate student), Debbie Pietrzak (SRMC), Erin Clemmer (Wellsville Daw Elementary), Rocky Brown (Educational Opportunity Center), Sarah Underwood (Educational Opportunity Center), Tara Smith (PTO President, United Local), Sue Laughlin (United Local), Lynsi Beagle (MHRSB), Steve Ullom (FCFC), Auston Brown (United Local student). (Submitted photo)

LISBON - The Coordinated Action for School Health (CASH) Coalition recently awarded health and wellness funding for nine local school projects. The awards range in funding from $1,000 to $2,000 and will help schools implement student wellness activities with projects that target one or more health priority areas identified in the 2022-2025 Columbiana County Community Health Improvement Plan. The Bonnie Hoppel School Health Project applications have included a category for the You Matter Here Campaign this year.

The You Matter Here Campaign is established to promote youth belonging, connection, and community support across Columbiana County. The initiative is driven by the CASH Coalition, and is a collaboration among schools, local agencies, businesses, and community members committed to helping every young person feel valued and supported where they live, learn, and grow. Developed in response to the Search Institute's Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, conducted every two years with youth in Columbiana County, the You Matter Here campaign focuses on increasing protective factors -- such as positive relationships, community involvement, and a strong sense of belonging -- that reduce harmful risk-taking behaviors and improve overall well-being.

The 2025-2026 project award winners are: The Columbiana County Educational Opportunity Center (two projects), East Liverpool City Westgate Elementary, East Palestine Middle School, Salem City Jr. Sr. High School, United Local (three projects) and Wellsville Daw Elementary School.

The funded projects will support multiple wellness initiatives, including improving physical fitness, school gardens and nutrition programming, healthy school food pantries, a Watch D.O.G.S. (Dads of Great Students) volunteer program, a student-led school store and family movie event, and a program on sharing uplifting student messages.

The funds have benefited Columbiana County schools for 16 years and have reached over 22,500 students. To date, 150 awards have been given to improve student health. This year, partners on the CASH Coalition provided $16,000 in school health project funding. Funding for the projects are provided by, Akron Children's Hospital, Columbiana County Educational Service Center, Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, East Liverpool City Hospital, and the Salem Regional Medical Center.

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