PENDLETON — Members of Open Hearts, Open Purses — South Madison Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle — will gather Thursday, June 13, at Crystal Coop, 3400 W. 53rd St., Anderson, to decide which local cause will receive the group’s $10,000 annual grant.

OHOP members will hear three finalist organizations make funding appeals for a cause that would benefit the community and then vote on the winner.

In OHOP, a minimum of 100 women contribute $100 each, entitling them to vote for one community organization to receive a pooled $10,000 grant.

This year’s project proposals are:

• EMT training — Lapel Stony Creek Township Fire Territory provides emergency medical services and pre-hospital care to the Town of Lapel, Stony Creek Township and portions of Jackson and Green townships on a volunteer basis. The territory seeks to support training and education that would promote Basic Response EMTs to Advanced EMTs, thereby allowing them to provide much of the pre-hospital care that is currently restricted to paramedics. The fire territory contracts paramedic services from neighboring providers at a cost to Lapel of about $20,000 per year.

• After-school programming — More Than Conquerors is seeking support for the 2019-20 after-school program and 2020 Summer Camp Victorious. Camp adventures often include service, learning and leisure activities for an average of 15 campers daily. The free after-school program serves 30 to 35 South Madison students per day with mentoring, homework help, and safe, supervised activities. Many participants require transportation or could benefit from financial assistance toward attendance.

• Youth health — Project;Hudson was created to “…bring awareness to mental health, bullying, self-harm and suicide prevention.” Project;Hudson is requesting funding to expand community conversation in South Madison County, increase frequency of the events and expand outreach to new audiences. In February, Project;Hudson leaders led an information session at Pendleton Christian Church with almost 300 people in attendance. The conversation consists of a 30-minute awareness presentation followed by question-and-answer time. Trained and licensed mental health professionals are present for private conversations and referrals.

Open Hearts, Open Purses is still accepting members. Each $100 membership and $25 junior membership (for girls under 18) is turned directly into community impact. OHOP is celebrating its 10th year of grant-making this year. To date, OHOP has awarded more than $120,000 in community grants.