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TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Four predominately Cherokee Communities in Northeastern Oklahoma recently received grants for $20,000 each to use on projects that benefit community youth programs.

Native American Educational Services, a private Native-owned college in Chicago, recently awarded Greasy, Kenwood, Rocky Ford and Piney Communities $20,000 grants for youth projects.

Michael Chapman, Chairman of the Board of NAES, personally called the recipients to let them know that they had been selected.

"Well, God Bless You," said Foreman Ross, president of the Kenwood Association, to Chapman when he received the call.

"Praise the Lord," said Charlie Shell, president of Greasy's Community Association.

Greasy and Kenwood will use the grant money to renovate their baseball fields and run sports leagues and other activities. Rocky Ford will use the grant money to build a playground to complement the new community building that is being built as a community self-help project through the Cherokee Nation. Piney will use the grant money to help with remodeling work on an old school that they will use as a community building to hold youth activities.