TCS receives nearly $8,000 in grants from SBCO

Tullahoma City Schools received an early holiday gift as the district was awarded $7,855 in grants by the Sportsmen and Businessmen’s Charitable Organization (SBCO).  

Tullahoma High School was the largest recipient of the funds, as they received $2,855 for two grants. Chuck Dodson will use the grant to purchase 3D pens for his Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) class. The pens promote creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning and can be used for various projects in conduction with the school’s 3D printers. Grant writer Kelly Orr will use the funds received to purchase Wacom tablets for the visual arts media arts studio. These tablets will be on each student’s Mac computer, so they can more easily draw using available Adobe programs rather than attempting to draw with a mouse. 

Jack T. Farrar Elementary School received $2,500 to purchase new playground equipment for the 2025-26 school year. West Middle School received $500 to aid STEM classes through virtual reality and simulation games.  

Robert E. Lee Elementary School received $2,000 geared toward creating an inclusive, multi-purpose outdoor learning and sensory space. The space is designed to accommodate diverse learning needs and will include STEM-focused garden beds, a sensory walk, and seating for outdoor classroom activities. 

“I am grateful for the Sportsmen and Businessmen’s Charitable Organization and their continued commitment to and support of education,” said TCS Director of Schools Dr. Catherine Stephens. “These grants go a long

way in aiding our faculty members and ensuring they have what is needed to provide the best possible learning experiences for our students.”  

Since 1984, the Sportsmen and Businessmen's Charitable Organization has served the Coffee County community through various philanthropic efforts. Those efforts include financial assistance to those in need with health, medical, dental, vision, food, education, transportation, shelter, and other expenses. In addition, they have successfully implemented several programs to assist the children in our community.    

The Sportsmen and Businessmen’s Charitable Organization awarded $36,000 this year to local educators across Coffee County, Manchester City and Tullahoma City Schools through its Educational Enrichment Grant opportunity. SBCO's Educational Enrichment Grant encourages local educators to submit innovative, outside-the-box opportunities for their students and schools that may encompass STEM, literacy, physical activity, social/emotional, fine arts or career readiness. Over $138,000 has been contributed to local educators, impacting thousands of students across the three school districts since the grant program's inception in 2018.   

“Since starting my position as TCS Coordinated School Health Director in 2014, I have had the pleasure of working with SBCO directly to serve our Tullahoma City School Community,” said Gina Bumbalough. “In addition to these generous grants, they have financially supported students, families, and staff in times of need. We are blessed to have them as community partners who are always ready to help.”