PUTNAM – Northeast Opportunities for Wellness (NOW) has awarded a record 72 scholarships totaling more than $4,300 in 2014 and plans to give additional scholarships to local athletics programs before the end of the year.

“NOW is committed to creating opportunities for northeastern Connecticut youth to lead healthier lives,” said NOW President Keith O’Hara. “We are grateful for the community support and proud of our success in putting our mission into action. These children played on a team or attended a camp to sharpen their skills thanks to NOW, and the benefits from those activities are immeasurable.”

NOW is a non-profit human service organization dedicated to the promotion of youth wellness. Through its “We Pay. You Play.” scholarship program, families can apply for a NOW scholarship to cover as much as 95 percent of the cost of participation in area athletics programs. NOW also provides education in nutrition and instruction in fitness and sports, regardless of access to financial resources.

NOW has provided scholarships for children to participate in: Putnam Little League; NECONN Soccer Club; Plainfield Youth Soccer; Killingly Youth Soccer; and the Canterbury Athletic Association.

NOW has also provided scholarships for children to attend the Woodstock Academy Youth Football Clinic, Advantage Tennis Camp at Marianapolis, Revolution Field Hockey Camp at Pomfret School and Five Star Soccer Academy.

NOW Founder Allan Rawson said the organization began meeting with local organizations last year to publicize the scholarship program. The meetings led to partnerships with 10 area athletics organizations, which has helped the scholarship program to grow.

NOW will also support children participating in WPTP Junior Football and the Putnam Science Academy Basketball Clinic this Fall as well as other Fall sports.

NOW supports its scholarship program through community donations as well as annual events such as the Murphy Spin for NOW, held in January, the NOW Road Race, to be held September 14 at Alexander’s Lake and the Taste for NOW, to be held September 26 at Dexter’s Landscaping in Danielson.

To learn more about NOW’s mission and scholarship opportunities, visit www.nowinmotion.org