There are 43 recipients of the 2010 Union County HEART Grant program, which recognizes the merit of arts and culture in sustaining a community. Five of this year's recipients are from Scotch Plains and Fanwood. The funding is made available to individuals and organizations that work in history, the arts and the humanities.

The Borough of Fanwood received $1,000 for its Cultural Arts Performance series. The Center for Hope, Hospice and Palliative Care in Scotch Plains received $2,400 for providing musical performances for their hospice residents. The Jewish Community Center of Central New Jersey received $2,000 for a special needs symposium for families.

Last year the Center for Hope, Hospice and Palliative Care and the Cranford Senior Housing received grants to bring in programs by Music For All Seasons (MFAS), a Scotch Plains-based organization that uses music as therapy. This year, too, Center for Hope's program for their hospice residents involves a collaboration with MFAS.

"The programs are educational and healing," said Rena Fruchter, artistic director of MFAS.  "Our musicians serve as role models, and often talk with the youngsters about the challenges of developing their own careers as young artists."

Their work provides participants with opportunities to learn about the music and the instruments and sometimes actively participate in music-making.  Their musicians bring with them a wide range of musical styles – including classical, folk, rock, ethnic, and jazz.

MFAS also received a separate $1,935 grant for music programs at the Union County Juvenile Detention Center. The group has worked with the detention center, located in Elizabeth, for 15 years and had originally applied for $2,500. They will be presenting their programs in November, December, February and March.

The Scotch Plains Baptist Church received a $2,000 grant to replicate the gravestone of Caesar, a Revolutionary war-era slave. The Church applied with the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority after they expressed their interest in the project. According to Rev. Chaz Hutchinson, Caesar was a member of the church congregation in 1806, and his gravestone has since fallen into disrepair.

Caesar was owned by the Drake family who freed him.

"He lived to be a 104, and his stone was probably the highest," said Rev. Hutchinson in a phone interview. "The Drake's are buried here and his stone is higher than theirs."

The stone will be cut by Lamperti & Sons. Hutchinson said the church will hold a dedication ceremony when the stone is installed.

"We weren't sure if we could move on because the grant didn't match our initial request of about $2,500," Hutchinson said. "I'm excited about being able to be a part of this project."

Awarded by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders every year since 1998, this year's funding rounded off at $75,000. Organizations were required to match 25 percent of the funding request.

"The HEART grant makes a huge difference to non-profit organizations in Union County," Fruchter said, "Helping many organizations to improve the quality of life of local residents, and strengthen our own community."