There are many worthy causes, but when Fulton farmer Dennis Shramek had the opportunity to name a nonprofit organization to potentially win a hefty check from the Monsanto seed company, he knew exactly where he wanted the money to go.
In a special presentation during the school's spring concert Thursday night, Shramek - who was selected as a winner in Monsanto's America's Farmers Grow Communities program - was able to present a $2,500 check to Kingdom Christian Academy.
The Monsanto representative who helped present the check said "it's an honor to see it go to such an organization ... to benefit the youth in the community."
Shramek said his motivation was simple: He has nine grandchildren who have attended the school.
"They're getting a wonderful education here - academic and biblical," Shramek said. "This is where my heart led me (to give the money)."
Kingdom Christian Academy Principal Ann Taylor said she felt surprise, excitement and "just elation" upon hearing about the donation.
"We're excited about this, and I'm sure we can find lots of uses for it," Taylor said. "We're actually hoping we can use it to help implement an instrumental music program at our school.
"It's something we've wanted to do, but we've never had the teacher or the funds. Now I think we have both."