Operation Our Town has announced grant awards to 19 local programs aimed at the education and prevention of drug use in Blair County.

More than $48,000 will be distributed to the recipients of the 2020 grant cycle.

In addition to prevention grants, Operation Our Town also awards an annual grant for targeted law enforcement and prosecution to fight illegal drugs and crime in Blair County. More than $3.4 million has been awarded in grants for both drug enforcement and prevention programs in Blair County over the past 13 years.

The grant committee includes Robin Beck, former executive director of the United Way of Blair County, Michele Fiore, retired mental health counselor, Donna Gority, former Blair County commissioner, Senior Blair County Judge Jolene Kopriva and Judy Rosser, executive director of Blair Drug & Alcohol Partnerships.

Grant recipients include:

* Altoona Area School District’s ELECT Program.

* ArtsAltoona’s After School Arts Program.

* Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County S.M.A.R.T., Students & Mentors Achieving Results Together mentoring site-based program.

* Bishop Guilfoyle Catholic High School’s drug testing of students.

* Blair Regional YMCA: Family Y-Nite.

* Booker T. Washington Revitalization Corp.: Iuzzolino Park Revitalization.

* Center for Independent Living of South Central Pa.: TEAM Builders.

* Central Blair Recreation & Park Commission: Youth Sports Program Supplies & Equipment.

* Child Advocates of Blair County: CHOICES Summer Program.

* Community Worship Center: Community Kids! Weekly Program.

* Cops & Boxing: Cops & Boxing Program.

* Evolution Expressions: Arts for Healing Groups.

* Gloria Gates Memorial Foundation: After School Program.

* Refuge Youth Network: Backyard Events.

* Roaring Spring Community Library: Curiosity Creates Open Art Studio.

* The ROCK: Reaching Out to Community Kids.

* Tyrone Area High School Agricultural Education Program, Growing Vertical to Help the Community.

* United Way of Blair County’s Family Resource Center: Parents as Teachers Program and 24/7 Dad.

* Young Life of Central Pennsylvania: Young Life Camp.