Operation Round Up Grant Recipients 2022

The November 2022 meeting (scheduled for early October) was postponed due to Hurricane Ian.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 12 applications for October 2022 in the amount of $146,900.

Bright Minds Youth Development - $10,000
(Clay County)
Bright Minds Youth Development in Orange Park is a tutoring and mentoring program for youth and young adults. Grant funds will support programs like summer camp scholarships and tutoring sessions.
 

Knights of Columbus - $12,000
(Clay County)
The Knights of Columbus Council of Keystone Heights provides support in the community by providing services or products to individuals, families or organizations in need. Grant funds will support the Holiday Helpers program, which will supply toys for children and meet needs of families and seniors during the holidays.
 

Woman’s Club of Keystone Heights- $6,500
(Clay County)
The Woman’s Club of Keystone Heights is a community service organization that supports the local area in a variety of ways. Funding from the grant will be applied to the revitalization and restoration of the club building.
 

Service Dogs for Patriots - $15,000
(Alachua County)
Service Dogs for Patriots serves and supports veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder living in Central Florida by providing qualified dogs and/or service dog training. Funds from the grant will be used to provide service dog training to five veteran/service dog teams.
 

Educational Foundation of Lake County - $10,000
(Lake County)
The Educational Foundation of Lake County is a nonprofit organization that directly supports the Lake County Public School district. Grant funds will help purchase equipment for high school science labs.
 

Operation Barnabas, Inc. - $15,000
(Clay County)
Operation Barnabas, located in Keystone Heights, is a nonprofit that strives to provide hope, encouragement, and mentorship to at-risk Clay County veterans and first responders through outreach and resources in a swift and timely manner. Grant funds will support The Vet We Haven’t Met Yet program.
 

Regional Food Bank of Northeast Florida, Inc. - $15,000
(Putnam County)
Feeding Northeast Florida is the region’s largest food bank and hunger-relief network, working to establish food security across eight counties. Grant funds will go toward the Snack Pack Child Feeding Program, which provides food for children over the weekend.
 

Ferst Readers, Inc. - $10,000
(Bradford, Baker, Volusia counties)
Ferst Readers is a community-based organization founded to address the problem of children entering kindergarten without basic early literacy skills and school readiness. Grant funds will be used to support the early childhood literacy development program in Bradford, Baker and Volusia counties.
 

Friends of KHHS- $15,000
(Clay County)
Friends of Keystone Heights High School was formed in 2020 to support and assist programs of KHHS. Grant funds will support band, business and JROTC programs, as well as the Clothes Closet community program.
 

CDS Family and Behavioral Services, Inc. - $8,400
(Putnam County)
CDS Family & Behavioral Health Services, Inc. is a nonprofit social services agency that targets familial strength through prevention, counseling, and youth shelters. Funds from the grant will be applied to improvements to the facility.
 

American Red Cross of Northeast Florida - $15,000
(All counties)
The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Funds from the grant will be applied to the Home Fire Campaign to provide critical services to people impacted by home fires, and tools and information to support home fire prevention efforts.
 

Florida Center for the Blind - $15,000
(Marion County)
The Florida Center for the Blind, Inc. is a nonprofit serving Marion and surrounding counties. The organization provides services to any individual who is blind or visually impaired. Funds will be used to support the intervention program to provide rehabilitative training and intervention services to any individual who has a severe visual impairment or progressive disease to enable them to have the skills to maintain their confidence and independence as their vision is deteriorating.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 12 applications for September 2022 in the amount of $135,000.

Project Hope of Marion County, Inc. - $5,000
(Marion County)
Project Hope of Marion County, based in Ocala, provides solutions for homelessness among women and their dependent children. Grant funds will provide furnishings and appliances for some of the housing units.
 

Fellowship Baptist Food Pantry - $10,000
(Union County)
Fellowship Baptist Church of Raiford offers a food pantry for those in need in surrounding counties. Grant funds will be applied to the cost of additional cooling units and shelves.
 

K9s for Warriors - $1,000
(All counties)
K9s for Warriors is dedicated to providing service canines to veterans suffering from trauma as a result of military service post-9/11. Grant funds will support costs in pairing a trained service dog with a deserving warrior.
 

Pay It Forward Outreach Corporation - $15,000
(Marion County)
Pay It Forward Outreach Corp is a charitable Christian donation program assisting families facing economic hardships by providing furniture, housewares, clothing and other essentials. Grant funds will be used to support the Mending Hearts program.
 

Putnam County Bread of Life, Inc. - $10,000
(Putnam County)
The Bread of Life of Palatka is a nonprofit organization that works to address hunger and food insecurity in Putnam County, and currently serves meals to more than 80 people each day. Grant funds will be used to purchase food for the program.
 

Foundation for Rural Education Excellence, Inc. - $15,000
(Putnam, Alachua, Union counties)
The Foundation for Rural Education Excellence enhances academic success and career opportunities for rural students in northeast Florida. Funds from the grant will support local school district employees seeking to complete academic degrees and become teachers.
 

Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show Association - $15,000
(Alachua County)
The Alachua County Youth Fair & Livestock Show Association is a volunteer group that conducts and operates public fairs and expositions pertaining to agricultural matters and more particularly to the exhibitions of livestock, poultry, crafts, youth projects, and farm products. Grant funding will purchase a new certifiable weigh scale for livestock.
 

Florahome-Grandin Volunteer Fire Department- $14,000
(Putnam County)
The Florahome-Grandin Volunteer Fire Department is a volunteer organization that strives to provide excellent, innovative and professional fire protection, life safety and public education to meet the needs of its diverse community. Funding from the grant will purchase new bay doors for the fire station.
 

Waste Not Want Not - $15,000
(All counties)
Waste Not Want Not is a volunteer-based group whose mission is to prevent the discarding of food and other items that can be used to fight hunger and poverty. The group does this by rescuing food daily from numerous sources for distribution to local charitable organizations, and through other cost-effective initiatives. Grant funds will be used to support the food rescue and distribution program.
 

West Putnam Volunteer Fire Department - $15,000
(Putnam County)
The West Putnam Volunteer Fire Department responds to emergency calls in a 62-square mile area of West Putnam County and gives mutual aid to neighboring counties. Funds from the grant will assist with replacing the station’s roof.
 

Challenge Enterprises of North Florida, Inc. - $15,000
(Clay County)
Challenge Enterprises, based in Green Cove Springs, promotes the power of people and possibilities for individuals living with disabilities. Grant funds will help with renovations, equipment purchases, technology tools and improved Wi-Fi services in the new Club Challenge.
 

Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County - $5,000
(Marion County)
The Community Foundation of Ocala/Marion County strives to connect the charitable interest of the donor to build a strong community by serving as a conduit among donors, charitable organizations and community leaders. Funds from the grant will support the Youth Philanthropy in Action program.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 4 applications for August 2022 in the amount of $33,200.

The Island Theater - $5,700
(Clay County)
The Island Theater in Fleming Island seeks to engage the community through a rigorous theater education program. Grant funds will be used to purchase a portable lighting and audio system to bring programs to various locations.
 

Goodwill Industries of North Florida - $15,000
(Putnam County)
Goodwill Industries of North Florida is a local, not-for-profit organization that removes barriers to employment through training, education, and career opportunities for the communities it serves. Funding from the grant will help the Take Stock in Children program provide college scholarships.
 

God’s Kitchen, Inc. - $5,000
(Putnam County)
God’s Kitchen is a volunteer organization in Palatka that provides and delivers one hot meal per day to adults who are permanently or temporarily homebound due to a mental or physical disability. Grant funding will be used for food distribution and supplies for the soup kitchen.
 

Catholic Charities Bureau - $7,500
(Clay County)
Catholic Charities Bureau provides emergency financial assistance, food assistance, immigration legal services, refugee resettlement and caring for persons with intellectual and developmental differences. Funding from the grant will support the food pantry at St. Luke’s Catholic Church in Middleburg.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 8 applications for July 2022 in the amount of $89,417.

Southeastern Guide Dogs - $5,000
(All counties)
Southeastern Guide Dogs transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs, throughout the United States. The nonprofit trains dogs of the highest pedigree for people who are blind, veterans, and children, providing premier dogs and lifetime services at no cost. Grant funds will be applied to the Enhanced Alumni Support program to relieve individuals of the cost of having a working dog.
 

Unity Family Community Center, Inc. - $10,548
(Levy County)
Unity Family Community Center, located in Williston, seeks to improve the quality of life of families and individuals by providing services and opportunities designed to create change, such as health initiatives, social services and economic development programs. Grant funding will be used to expand the center’s afterschool program to include hands-on STEAM activities.
 

Children’s Home Society of Florida - $3,869
(Putnam County)
Children’s Home Society of Florida is committed to breaking the tragic cycle of child abuse and neglect. Funds from the grant will provide students at Wilkinson Jr. High School with access to a laundry facility in an effort to reduce school absences.
 

Open Arms Village - $10,000
(Marion County)
Open Arms Village exists to create a safe community that treats homeless individuals with dignity and provides for their basic needs. The program provides a full array of programs and services that clients can use to move themselves toward independence. Grant funds will support the development of an outdoor recreation area for the homeless shelter.
 

The Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs - $15,000
(Clay County)
The Food Pantry is an all-volunteer organization that provides Clay County with emergency food for families and individuals in need. Funds from the grant will be used to purchase nonperishable food items.
 

Alachua Habitat for Humanity - $15,000
(Alachua County)
Habitat for Humanity assists low income and very low income families in obtaining decent and affordable housing by building homes using volunteer labor. Grant funds will be applied to the home ownership program.
 

Haven Hospice Foundation - $15,000
(All counties)
Haven Hospice is a not-for-profit, community hospice organization providing comprehensive services for end-of-life and palliative care. Grant funds will help to supply educational videos and translation services to provide caregivers easily understood instructions for taking care of patients.
 

Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches - $15,000
(All counties)
The mission of the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches is to prevent delinquency and develop lawful, resilient and productive citizens. Funding from the grant will be used to purchase school uniforms for youth residents.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 9 applications for June 2022 in the amount of $65,925.

Christian Service Center of Columbia County, Inc. - $7,500
(Columbia County)
The Christian Service Center of Columbia County is a nonprofit serving the residents of Columbia County since 1984. The scope of assistance provided includes food, clothing, utility bills, gas assistance, bus tickets, emergency lodging and prescription assistance to about 10,000 clients per year. The grant funds will be used for the Christian Service Center’s Client Assistance Program to help residents with their utility bills.
 

St. Phillips Lodge #55 - $1,500
(Alachua County)
St. Phillips Lodge #55 is part of the Masonic organization and offers such community service projects as Adopt a Family, Unity in the Community, back-to-school supply giveaways and youth football sponsorships. Funds will be used to support the annual back-to-school supply giveaway.
 

Camp Boggy Creek - $10,000
(All counties)
Camp Boggy Creek, located in Eustis, was founded in 1996 by Paul Newman and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf to make it possible for children with serious illnesses to enjoy a camp experience in a safe, medically-sound environment. Funds from the grant will be used to send four campers to the camp’s summer sessions.
 

10 Can, Inc. - $10,000
(All counties)
This organization is an outdoor ministry for military families. They rehabilitate Wounded Warriors by strengthening their family foundation. This is done through outdoor recreational therapy, creating outdoorsmen and providing wilderness experiences for urban families. Grant funds will be used to support the Reel Healing program.
 

Santa Fe College Foundation, Inc. - $15,000
(Alachua County)
The Santa Fe College Foundation inspires, cultivates and assists private donors to enrich Santa Fe College students and the community through scholarships, program enhancements, and facilities support. Grant funds will support the Veterans Bridge Scholarship to help veterans transition from the military to school.
 

Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries - $5,000
(All counties)
Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries’ mission is to encourage, equip and empower people to live victorious lives, especially within the prison system. Grant funds will be used to support the Victorious Living Prison Outreach program.
 

Mt. Carmel Community Resource Center, Inc. - $4,425
(Putnam County)
Mt. Carmel Community Resource Center is a food pantry that has served Palatka since 2002. Funding from the grant will be applied to the replacement of the facility’s air conditioner.
 

Altrusa International of Lake City, Inc. - $7,500
(Columbia, Baker, Suwannee counties)
Altrusa is an international nonprofit organization making local communities better through leadership, partnership and service. Grant funds will go toward the Backpack Project, which provides weekend meals for underprivileged children.
 

Melrose Volunteer Fire Department - $5,000
(Alachua, Bradford, Clay, Putnam counties)
The Melrose Volunteer Fire Department serves surrounding counties for fire protection and medical responders in emergencies. Grant funds will be applied to the purchase of safety equipment.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 4 applications for May 2022 in the amount of $39,730.

Clay County Rescue Mission - $7,230
(Clay County)
The Clay County Rescue Mission provides hope to families and individuals who need help with the basic needs of food, shelter and clothing. Grant funds will be applied to the From Hotels to Home Program, which provides hotel stays for those experiencing homelessness.
 

Northside Champions Club - $7,500
(Marion County)
Northside Champions Club was founded to support all activities at North Marion High School not funded by state and local dollars. Funding from the grant will support the College and Career Exploration program, including career days, career fairs and field trips to businesses and colleges.
 

Putnam First Cancer Fund - $15,000
(Putnam County)
The Putnam First Cancer Fund uses contributions to provide financial assistance to patients with cancer for basic living and timely access to diagnosis and treatment, and to facilitate education, awareness and cancer screening programs and activities. Grant funds will be used to assist county residents in obtaining an official diagnosis of cancer in order to qualify for other types of assistance.
 

Lend an Ear Outreach - $10,000
(Clay County)
Lend an Ear Outreach seeks to provide the gift of hearing by furnishing quality hearing aids to those with limited or no means in an atmosphere of dignity and compassion. Funding from the grant will be used to purchase, test and fit hearing aids for qualified recipients.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 8 applications for April 2022 in the amount of $65,000.

Marion Senior Services - $15,000
(Marion County)
Marion Senior Services, Inc. seeks to support the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged residents of Marion County and their families with dignity, respect and compassion to maintain independent living status. Grant funds will support the Meals on Wheels program.
 

Clay County Economic Development Corporation - $6,000
(Clay County)
Clay County Economic Development Corporation provides concierge service for companies who want to expand in Clay County or relocate their companies to the region. Funding from the grant will help support a new Geographic Information System digital analysis tool.
 

Community First Support Foundation - $2,500
(Marion, Putnam counties)
The Community First Support Foundation in Fort McCoy is dedicated to community outreach, building relationships, and raising funds for education, vocational advancement, and mental wellness in impoverished rural communities. Grant funds will support the food distribution effort.
 

His Compassion Food Bank - $4,500
(Marion County)
His Compassion Food Bank in Ocala provides food to a 9-county area in North Central Florida. Funding from the grant will be used to purchase equipment for the food distribution system.
 

St. Johns River State College Foundation - $10,000
(Clay, Putnam counties)
The St. Johns River State College Foundation is a charitable organization that exists to support the growth and development of the college in ways that are beneficial to its students, faculty, staff and campus facilities. Grant funds will be used to support the college’s emergency fund to help students overcome unexpected financial hardships.
 

Partnership for Strong Families, Inc. - $2,000
(Alachua County)
Partnership for Strong Families is contracted by DCF to provide comprehensive child welfare services to children who have experienced abuse, neglect or abandonment. Grant funds will support the Community Employability Program, which seeks to provide community members with the skills and tools to re-enter the workforce, improve their current status or explore starting a small business.
 

College of Central Florida Foundation - $10,000
(Marion County)
The CF Foundation seeks to change lives through education by providing community awareness, advocacy and funding to the college. Funds from the grant will support the CF Patriot Fund, which assists students when unexpected financial emergencies occur.
 

Wheelchairs 4 Kids - $15,000
(All counties)
Wheelchairs 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children with physical disabilities by providing wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, and other assistive equipment at no charge. Grant funds will support the Let’s Roll program.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 6 applications for March 2022 in the amount of $54,500.

Friends of Cuscowilla, Inc. - $2,500
(Alachua County)
Friends of Cuscowilla, Inc. is a volunteer organization that assists with improvements, programming, special events, tours, and fundraising for Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center in Micanopy. Funds from the grant will be applied to the development of an educational Interpretive Center.
 

The Way Free Medical Clinic - $15,000
(Clay County)
The Way Free Medical Clinic, Inc. is committed to improving access to health care by providing free medical services for the uninsured residents of Clay County. Funds will support the Expanding Capacity to Care Initiative by purchasing medications, supplies and equipment.
 

ACE Mentor Program of NE Florida - $7,500
(Clay County)
The ACE Mentor Program of America, Inc. helps mentor high school students and inspires them to pursue careers in design and construction. Funding from the grant will be used to fund scholarships and/or technical training for Clay County students.
 

Kiwanis Club of Lake Area Region Keystone/Melrose - $2,500
(Clay, Bradford counties)
Kiwanis Club of Lake Area Region Keystone/Melrose is a non-profit service organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world one child and one community at a time. Grant funds will support scholarships for high school seniors.
 

Clay County Club, Inc. - $12,000
(Clay County)
The Clay County Club, Inc., located in Orange Park, is a nonprofit corporation that provides services for alcohol abuse recovery, serving about 3,000 people each month. Funding from the grant will be applied to the installation of a covering for the outdoor grill area.
 

Union County Livestock Association - $15,000
(Union County)
The Union County Livestock Association is a new organization that serves youth and families through various agricultural programs and events. Grant funds will be used to obtain new swine pens.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 6 applications for February 2022 in the amount of $67,900.

Church Women’s Christian Ministries - $10,000
(Clay County)
The Clothes Closet and Food Pantry, located in Orange Park, helps Clay County residents through times of crisis by helping them meet basic needs. Grant funds will support the Food for Hope food pantry program.
 

Arnette House, Inc. - $10,000
(Marion County)
Arnette House provides a 24/7 residential adolescent emergency shelter for youth ages 10-17 in Ocala. Funding from the grant will be applied to the construction of a play area on campus.
 

Art League of North Florida, Inc. - $5,400
(Columbia County)
The Art League of North Florida develops programs and services that serve the needs of artists through advocacy, networking, fundraising and grant development, and promotes the visual arts as an integral part of education. It offers several community art programs, such as the Girls’ Summit for at-risk preteen and teenage girls (with Altrusa), the Veterans’ Art Program, Art for Hospice, and the Life Style Enrichment Center. Funds from the grant will support youth programs.
 

Bradford County 4-H Association - $12,500
(Bradford County)
The Bradford County 4-H Association is a nonprofit organization that provides kids learning opportunities to create skills needed to make a positive change in their lives. Grant funds will support improvements to the event area for the annual Beef Bash.
 

Early Learning Coalition of North Florida - $15,000
(Clay, Baker, Bradford counties)
The Early Learning Coalition serves parents, caregivers and educators of children ages birth to pre-kindergarten by managing and evaluating early child care and early education programs through a quality school readiness delivery system in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties. Funds from the grant will be used to support the themed literacy program.
 

Lake Area Ministries - $15,000
(Clay County)
Lake Area Ministries (LAM), an all-volunteer organization, is primarily a food pantry focusing on feeding needy families. As funds allow, the organization assists with other basic needs. The funds will be used for the food assistance program.

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 11 applications for January 2022 in the amount of $91,849.

Episcopal Children’s Services - $13,380
(Lake County)
Episcopal Children’s Services incorporates the latest research and proven best practices to help Florida families raise children who are ready to learn when they enter school. Grant funds will be used for labor and materials to replace the fence at the Head Start/Early Head Start center in Eustis.
 

Hawthorne FFA Alumni - $15,000
(Alachua County)
Hawthorne FFA Alumni seeks to expand and build the Hawthorne FFA Chapter, which now consists of 60 student members. Funding from the grant will be used to construct a new barn for the program.
 

BASCA Inc. - $10,000
(Clay County)
BASCA, Inc. focuses on helping people with intellectual and developmental disabilities achieve a higher quality of life and sense of belonging. Funds will be used to renovate classrooms used in the Day Program.
 

Archer Historical Society - $5,000
(Alachua County)
The Archer Historical Society is a non-profit volunteer historical society group of area citizens who seek to identify, protect, preserve and promote Archer’s past well into the future. Grant funds will be used to make repairs to the Train Depot building.
 

Rotary Club of Palatka Sunrise - $5,000
(Putnam County)
The Rotary Club of Palatka Sunrise is a service organization supporting various charities and projects throughout Putnam County, as well as around the world. Grant funds will be used to obtain a storage unit for the annual Wild Game Feast, the organization’s largest fundraising event.
 

Hawthorne Area Resource Center, Inc. - $9,500
(Alachua County)
Hawthorne Area Resource Center is a collaborative effort between the First United Methodist Hawthorne and the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion to serve the most vulnerable population as a food pantry and resource center within Hawthorne and surrounding areas. Funds will be used for food pantry provisions and supplies as well as Social Services support to families in crisis.
 

US Naval Sea Cadets - $3,600
(Columbia County)
The US Naval Sea Cadet Corps is a patriotic youth program that provides training to future leaders and/or public servants in the military and community. Grant funds will be used to purchase new uniforms and components for its Color Guard.
 

St. Catherine’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul - $10,000
(Clay County)
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Orange Park is an international organization of lay persons which allows men and women to join together in offering person-to-person service to the needy. Grant funds will be used to assist the needy with basic needs such as electric bills, water bills and rent costs.
 

Mercy Auto - $10,000
(Clay County)
The Mercy Auto Charitable Foundation in Orange Park seeks to impact the transportation needs of Clay County by providing access to affordable, reliable transportation to anyone pursuing self-sustainability. Funding from the grant will be used to make improvements to the garage and increase safety measures.
 

Clay County Habitat for Humanity - $10,000
(Clay County)
Clay County Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing in Clay County area. As an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, it works in partnership with local families and volunteers to build and rehabilitate simple, decent homes for qualified families in need. Grant funds will be applied to mortgage assistance and bill relief.
 

Lee Conlee House - $369
(Putnam County)
The Lee Conlee House is the certified domestic violence center serving Putnam County. Its mission is to stop the campaign of violence by providing crisis intervention, emergency shelter, advocacy, treatment, prevention, and education through the establishment of community partnerships. Grant funds will be used to purchase materials for the Children of Hope program, a youth-targeted domestic violence program.