Clanton Middle School was one of 16 schools in Alabama that was awarded the Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant from the Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.

Since its establishment in 1957, Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation has helped communities nationwide through employee volunteerism and financial contributions.

Clanton Middle School received $5,600 for its S.H.E.L.F. (School’s Housing Exemplary Library Furniture) program.

The 16 schools received grants during the spring 2011 grants cycle, and they are some of the more than 480 schools or parent organizations that were awarded a grant for parent-initiated school improvement projects benefiting K-12 public education across the United States.

“Through Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant program, we are acknowledging parent-initiated efforts that enhance the lives of children in the communities we serve,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation. “By supporting schools in Alabama, we are rallying behind a cause that is important to both our customers and employees, and we’re helping to build a stronger foundation for the children who will be tomorrow’s employees, homeowners and community leaders.”

Launched in partnership with PTO Today, a leading organization serving parent-teacher groups, the Toolbox for Education program has provided approximately $26 million through more than 5,900 grants since its inception six years ago.

The grants have affected more than 3.3 million schoolchildren. Grants of up to $5,000 are available to public schools in the U.S. for a wide range of improvement projects and large schools or school districts may be eligible to receive Toolbox grants up to $100,000 for school improvement initiatives. All K-12 public schools in the United States are eligible.