Front Royal Rotary gifts Blue Ridge Education Center

Lining up with a BIG check are: Front Royal Rotary President Bret Hrbek with, left to right: April Strosnider, BREC executive director, and board members Christine Hartman, vice chair; and Dr. Constance Richard, secretary. Rotary Photo/Paige Ulevich

The Rotary Club of Front Royal has awarded a local special education school an $8,000 grant toward upgrading its computer lab and to purchase new computers for its students.

The state-licensed, non-profit, private day school on Massanutten Avenue provides instruction to help students with physical or emotional challenges that impact their ability to successfully function in the traditional school setting develop the life skills they need to become successful, not only in their educations, but in the world beyond school. The student body generally numbers 15 (14 spots are currently occupied, according to Executive Director April Strosnider), aged from 12 to 21 years.

Strosnider headed a small group representing the Blue Ridge Educational Center (BREC) to Rotary’s September 6 meeting to receive the check, which she said, “Comes with much celebration here at BREC!” Christine Hartman, BREC vice chair, and Secretary Dr. Constance Richard, were also on hand to receive the service club’s contribution.

BREC, entering its 20th year of operation, was founded by Carol Olson, and became incorporated as a non-profit in 2005. It serves young people from Warren, Shenandoah, Rappahannock, Frederick and Page Counties. Strosnider said the newly formed Northern Shenandoah Valley Rotary Club will present BREC with an additional $1,000 check at its September 19 meeting.

“Having both of these (funds) awarded to us is amazing. We feel truly blessed by the Rotarians this year,” Strosnider said.