Grant To Assist With Upgrading Technology And Classroom Supplies.
May 23, 2022 – The Charlotte Hornets Foundation announced today a $25,000 donation has been given to Fran’s Kids, based in Charlotte’s Historic West End neighborhood, as its annual Education Grant.
“We are pleased to have this year’s Education Grant support youth in Charlotte’s Historic West End,” said Hornets President & Vice Chairman Fred Whitfield. “For more than three decades, Fran and her team have done a remarkable job in providing a fun, safe and healthy environment where children in this community can learn and explore their potential.”
The Education Grant, which was used to upgrade technology and other classroom items essential for learning, including iPads, Chromebooks, calculators, smart boards and dry erase boards, was presented earlier this month to Fran’s Kids leadership by Charlotte Hornets Foundation staff, along with representatives from Hornets Community Partner Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) Charlotte, who helped to identify Fran’s as a deserving organization focused on furthering early learning and youth education and care outside of the classroom.
“We greatly appreciate the Charlotte Hornets Foundation and our friends at LISC Charlotte for supporting our organization and the hundreds of children and families we serve,” said Fran’s Kids Director of Operations Tylan Witherspoon, the son of Fran’s Kids Founder Fran Witherspoon. “My mom founded Fran’s Kids more than 30 years ago because she wanted to provide a quality childcare program for us – her children – and for other kids within our community. This incredible donation for upgraded technology will enable us to continue to do so for many years to come.”
Today, Fran’s Kids has multiple locations and provides full-day care for infants and toddlers, as well as before- and after-school care for children ages 6 through 12. Additional services offered include tutoring sessions, enriched summer camps, and football and basketball clinics. The West Trade Street location, Fran’s Kids Boys and Girls Center, which received most of the technology upgrades, also serves as a community center for residents of all ages.