SOUTH PORTLAND — Twenty-three Maine schools are the recipients of $44,220 in the Drive for Education program sponsored by the Berlin City Auto Group.

Local schools that are recipients include Mt. Ararat Middle School, Sacopee Valley Elementary School, Raymond Elementary School, Regional School Unit 16, Woodstock Elementary School, Guy E. Rowe Elementary School and Oxford Hills Middle School.

The program is accepting applications for grants. Each school must submit an application and essay to be considered. It must explain how a donation of up to $3,500 would be used. 

Schools have applied to the program to fund the integration of interactive whiteboards, education greenhouses, microscopes and related equipment. Applications are evaluated to determine each school’s suitability. All New England K-12 public schools qualify and can apply for free. Schools are selected and donations awarded throughout the year.

Berlin City Auto Group has six dealerships throughout New England. For each vehicle sold, a portion of the sale is put into the Drive for Education program. The program has donated $405,171 to schools across New England since its inception in June 2011.

FMI: www.berlincity.com/Drive-for-Education.html.