The estate of the late Leta Green Braselton has donated $7,800 to the Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library. The money will fund an endowment, with the proceeds used to support the Braselton Library's summer reading program in memory of Braselton.

Two Hall County organizations have been awarded grants by the Jackson EMC Foundation. A $15,000 grant from the foundation will help the Summer Scholars Institute provide academic programs to at-risk middle and high school students. The summer program at Gainesville College is based on grade level. Participants attend for three years as rising eighth, ninth- and 10th-graders, and curriculum focuses on the basic areas of reading, writing and mathematics, but includes science in the third year. Students also participate in a physical education program. The Summer Institute has about 150 students each summer. The Newtown Community Land Trust has also been awarded a $5,000 grant by the foundation. This project acquires vacant land or land with existing structures to develop low- to moderate-income housing. The grant will be used as a construction subsidy for an additional affordable home in the Gainesville area.