WATERSOUND, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 19, 2018-- The St. Joe Community Foundation (“Foundation”) recently approved an additional $361,000 in grants from its $1 Million pledge towards relief efforts for the region of Northwest Florida affected by Hurricane Michael. Recent awards bring the grant total related to the Hurricane to over $772,500. The Foundation has continued its efforts to partner with local entities and government officials to identify needs within the communities.
The most recent grant awards include donations of $100,000 each to both the Bay County and Gulf County Education Foundations for technology and connectivity needs for students and faculty. Grants of $25,000 each have been pledged to the Bay County Employee Care and Panama City Florida Hurricane Disaster Relief Funds to assist in providing essential needs for Panama City and Bay County employees. Forest Park Methodist Church also received a grant for $8,500 to replace their community grill/cooker to assist with feeding the community and future fundraising events. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs - Woman’s Club of Panama City received a donation of $5,000 to assist with building repairs.
The Foundation also awarded $10,000 grants to each of the following: Friends of the After School Assistance Program (ASAP) to assist with the many replacement needs they have from their Glenwood location, Life Management Center of Northwest Florida for their employee emergency assistance fund, Habitat for Humanity of Bay County to assist with building materials for home repairs, The ARC of the Bay to help with hurricane expenses and the Tom P. Haney Foundation to assist students with essentials needed to stay enrolled in classes.
In addition to the above, $2,500 grants were provided to each of the following: Panama City Rescue Mission to assist with repairs for their women’s shelter location, Bay Education Foundation for Santa’s Salvage Christmas initiative, the Springfield Methodist Church to assist with the costs to replace their freezers and refrigerators used to feed the community and Good News Methodist Church in Walton County for their Christmas on the Coast program providing Christmas meals and gifts for families affected by Hurricane Michael.
Other grants provided in the Gulf County area include $25,000 to the Port Theater to assist with roof replacement costs and $12,500 to the Christian Community Development Fund, Inc. for supplies needed for home repairs for elderly and disabled residents in Port St. Joe.
“The Foundation is honored to continue assisting many organizations and individuals in the community with recovery and relief efforts,” said Jorge Gonzalez, The St. Joe Company President and Chief Executive Officer and Board Member of The St. Joe Community Foundation. Mr. Gonzalez added, “As more time passes since Hurricane Michael, needs within the community shift and change. The Foundation has continued to partner directly with those affected to help meet those evolving needs.”
To apply for grants, or learn more information regarding The St. Joe Company and The St. Joe Community Foundation, visit www.joe.com.
About The St. Joe Community Foundation
Since its inception, the St. Joe Community Foundation (“Foundation”) has provided more than $20 million in grants to improve the quality of life in the communities it serves. The Foundation provides charitable grants toward the civic infrastructure of communities in Northwest Florida. The Foundation’s primary focus is on strengthening education, improving healthcare, protecting the environment and supporting local cultural interests. These efforts help build healthy, caring, long-lived communities.
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Source: The St. Joe Company
The St. Joe Community Foundation Contact:
April Wilkes
Executive Director
850-231-6435
april.wilkes@joe.com
