A pair of Butler County Schools are in the running for a $2,500 grant.

McKenzie School and Greenville High School are among 52 schools across the state that have advanced to the voting round for a “Power To Play” grant, which is funded by Alabama Power Company.

The Power To Play grant program focuses on the importance of keeping students active in sports and will award $2,500 to each of 36 schools throughout the state to support their athletic programs.

The program aims to help high school athletic programs break down barriers to student participation, according to company officials.

In Greenville High School’s application, school officials said the grant money would be used to purchase more football equipment to allow more players to participate.

McKenzie School said it would use the funds to assist with its new volleyball program, which is in its first year.

Finalists for the grants were announced on Oct. 19. Finalists will now compete in an online ballot process, during which members of the community can vote to support their school.

Voting will end Nov. 15.

Winners will be announced Nov. 23.

A total of 36 schools – six from each of Alabama Power’s territorial divisions – will be awarded grants this year to support their athletic programs.

To be eligible to receive a grant, a school must receive at least 250 votes online.

To vote visit powertoplay.org. Supporters can vote once per day.

“It is exciting to see a community rally around a good cause,” said John Hudson, president of the Alabama Power Foundation. “Power to Play gives communities all across the state the opportunity to do just that, to get out and show their support for something that is important to their kids. That’s a powerful thing.”