The Oneida Nation Foundation recenlty awarded grants of $1,000 each to seven area groups whose programming benefits youth and children.

With Chairman Chuck Fougnier officiating, the Foundation made the awards at the Nation's Children and Elders Center to the following groups:

Erie Canal School Boat Foundation - The Rome, NY organization teaches children about the history of the Erie Canal and uses funds to provide educational materials;

Madison County's Promise - A Wampsville-based group that seeks mini grants that permit youth to carry out special programming ideas;

Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science and Technology (MOST) - The Syracuse museum and educational center regularly hosts special programming and events for children;

Ophelia's Place - A Liverpool-NY organization that focuses its efforts on helping youth with eating disorders and on providing information and education about those issues to the community;

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York - The Syracuse, N.Y. organization provides housing and family support for children being treated for serious illnesses at hospitals in the region;

Great Swamp Conservancy - The Canastota, N.Y. group annually presents a number of youth environmental educational programs;

Ziyara Shriner's A.A.O.N.M.S. of Utica - The organization transports children to Shriner's Hospitals in Boston for burn treatment and to Springfield, MA for orthopaedic treatment.