Five Lansing-area students will pursue their dreams this summer thanks to a longtime community activist.

The Capital Region Community Foundation awarded five grants Thursday from the Richard D. Letts fund.

Letts, known for his work with charitable programs, including the Old Newsboys, created an endowment for disadvantaged children in 1993. He hopes the money will encourage children to become charitable adults.

"Caring is sharing," he said. "I hope this service is one that will make a difference."

The five students joined Letts on Thursday afternoon at the foundation office on Washington Square for a photo and a thank you.

Sunshine Morgan, a Sexton High School student, will use her $100 grant to attend the Junior Statesman Summer School Program in New York.

"I hope to learn more about politics and government, and build my political awareness," said Morgan, who is active in her student government.

Scott Dane, 15, of Holt High School already used his $400. He attended a national Academic Games tournament in Georgia last month. He placed third in the math division.

The grants were a small piece of $91,500 awarded to individuals and organizations in Ingham, Clinton and Eaton counties, said Patricia Reynolds, executive director of the Community Foundation.

The 87 grants ranged from $100 to $10,000.

The foundation's youth fund, directed by 25 area youths, distributed grants to:

• The All-of-Us Express Theater, which received $2,000 to organize five plays to be directed and performed by young people.
• Reading is Fundamental, which received $2,000 to update its African-American book collection.
• Spartan Friends, which will use its $2,000 to support student mentors and tutors who help at-risk children.
• Relief After a Violent Encounter, which received $1,990 to teach young people how to deal with family and dating violence.
• The East Lansing Red Cedar Elementary School, which received $2,000 to fund a 10-week program to teach language and other skills to children of foreign students at Michigan State University.

• April Thurston, 13, Lansing, a $1,000 grant to participate in People to People, and overseas cultural program for children.
• Scott Dane, 15, Holt, a $400 grant to travel to Eatonton, Ga., for the summer Academic Games Leagues of American National Tournament.
• Sunshine Morgan, 16, Lansing, a $100 grant to attend the Junior Statesman Summer School Program in New York.
• Benjamin Fuhrman, 15, Lansing, a $100 donation to attend the Interlochen National Music Camp to study violin.
• Melissa White, 12, Lansing, a grant to cover the costs of her weekend out-of-state violin studies.

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