The Burien/White Center Rotary Club recently awarded $7,500 to Highline-area, regional and even international non-profit organizations and schools that provide a variety of services to people, animals and the community.

Julie Nelson, chairwoman of the Rotary Club's Allocations Committee, who introduced the award recipients, noted that funds were raised through the club's annual dinner and auction as well as smaller fundraising activities.

Burien/White Center Rotary members, said president Mark Pursley, support a wide range of charitable activities.

He said beneficiaries of this giving range from local food banks, winter warm clothing distribution to the homeless and Eagle Landing Park cleanup to a literacy program in Guatemala, developing water wells in Africa and world-wide polio eradication.

Recipients of 2008 grants from the Burien/White Center Rotary Club are:

The King County based Washington State Animal Response Team received a $500 grant to train volunteers to evacuate and shelter livestock and pets in natural disasters and emergencies.

Westside Baby of West Seattle/White Center, $700, to upgrade computer programs to expedite the processing and distribution of donations.

Ruth Dykeman Children's Center in Burien, $500, to develop a therapeutic arts program for children and teenagers who suffer from extreme neglect and sexual abuse.

Hospitality House shelter for homeless women at Lake Burien Presbyterian Church, $500, to extend the hours of the program.

White Center Food Bank, $600, for a microphone for client nutrition education classes and cooking demonstrations.

SeaTac-based Tape Ministries Northwest, $500, for postage for mailing Christian books on tape to the visually impaired and other clients.

Hi-Liners youth musical theater group in Burien, $700, for scholarships for students participating in productions.

Highline Historical Society, $500, for building an educational component for "Journeys of a Holocaust Survivor," a presentation sponsored by the historical society that survivor Henry Friedman will give in SeaTac on Aug. 10.

Family Promise, which serves local homeless families, $500, to refurbish a family daycare center.

Southwest Boys & Girls Club in White Center, $750, to start a Steve Cox Memorial Art Program with the art displayed at the club.

Rotary First Harvest, $700, to support the rescue of fresh fruits and produce from landfills and send it to area food banks.

Highline District elementary schools, $850, to purchase classroom dictionaries - the Rotary Club's local literacy project.

Rural schools in Guatemala, $200, for books - an international literacy project.