Sometimes having the right connections can be of benefit to all parties involved. In the case of the Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast, being the recipient of a grant administered by the Enterprise Rent a Car Foundation appears to be a win/win scenario for both organizations since the former received a $1000 grant from Enterprise through a special program that promotes community nonprofits.

An application for the grant, which is designed "to provide financial resources to worthwhile nonprofit initiatives that are actively supported by our employees, their spouses, and loyal Enterprise customers", was prepared by Storytelling Arts Center Executive Director Jan Schmidt and her daughter, Gillian Long, an area manager for Enterprise in the Fayetteville area.

"We are very appreciative to have received this grant, and are grateful that our organization and community was recognized by Enterprise Rent A Car," Schmidt said. "This money will be applied toward programming for some of our many events at the Storytelling Arts Center in downtown Laurinburg."

Jason Davis is the Enterprise Branch Rental Manager for Laurinburg and Rockingham.

"The Enterprise Rent a Car Foundation supports giving grant money to good causes, and our company will help our community neighbors in any way we can," Davis said. "As a member of the Storytelling Arts Center board, and as an Enterprise employee, I am happy that my company was able to give back to the community in this way."

The Storytelling Arts Center of the Southeast is located at 131 South Main Street in Laurinburg. Its mission is "to preserve and enrich storytelling arts for people of all ages through education, performances, research, workshops, and writing."

Call 277-3599 for more information.