Special to Iredell Free News

Cool Spring Elementary School has been awarded $15,000 by the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. 

The funds we be used to purchase Flyleaf Decodable Readers ($5,000) and new nonfiction library books ($10,000).

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation will provide a total of $468,462.67 in Champions Grants to fund projects at 18 schools. The grants are awarded annually to K-12 public and charter schools to help them address critical needs and this year will benefit more than 11,000 North Carolina students.

“It’s important that we continue to support K-12 public education,” said Jimmie Johnson, co-founder of the Jimmie Johnson Foundation. “Chani and I both grew up in the public school system and know how important it is to have access to technology, STEM programming, wellness, arts and libraries that have relevant and up to date books. Schools need help more than ever and the JJF has funded some incredibly impactful programs over the years. I can’t wait to see what the schools do with these grants.”

The 2022 Champions Grants were awarded to the following schools:

• Berryhill School (Charlotte)
• Joseph W. Grier Academy (Charlotte)
• Metro School (Charlotte)
• Rocky River High School (Mint Hill)
• Starmount Academy of Excellence (Charlotte)
• West Mecklenburg High School (Charlotte)
• Concord High School (Concord)
• Harnett Central High School (Angier)
• Western Harnett Middle School (Lillington)
• Cool Spring Elementary School (Cleveland)
• Montgomery County Early College (Troy\)
• Montgomery Central High School (Troy)
• Williston Middle School (Wilmington)
• Frederick Douglass Elementary School (Wilson)
• Mineral Springs Performing and Visual Arts Middle School (Winston-Salem)
• Moore Elementary School (Winston-Salem)
• Evergreen Community Charter School (Asheville)
• Thomas Academy (Lake Waccamaw)

Since 2009 more than $6.8 million has been contributed through the Jimmie Johnson Foundation Champions Grant program to K-12 public schools to fund projects with the potential for high impact and significant positive change.

About the Jimmie Johnson Foundation

Chandra and Jimmie Johnson launched the Jimmie Johnson Foundation in 2006 with a mission to assist children, families, and communities in need throughout the United States. Since its inception, the JJF has committed more than $13 million to various public schools and charities across the country. For additional information on the Jimmie Johnson Foundation or to make a donation, visit www.jimmiejohnsonfoundation.org.