Operation Round Up Grant Recipients 2024

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 10 applications for October 2024 in the amount of $97,250.

Putnam First Cancer Fund - $20,000
(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.
 

Find, Feed & Restore - $5,000
(Lake County)
Find, Feed & Restore, based in Clermont, seeks to eliminate homelessness for families with children through housing, financial literacy, and mental health counseling. Funding from the grant will support the Rapid Rehousing Progam.
 

Grace Anglican Church - $2,000
(Clay County)
Grace Anglican Church in Middleburg participates in Soul in the City, a week-long missional summer camp that empowers junior high and high school students to work at various nonprofits in the community. Funds from the grant will pay for student scholarships and meals.
 

Partnership for Strong Families - $2,250
(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 be used to purchase backpacks for the Back-to-School Drive.
 

Created Gainesville, Inc. - $15,000
(Alachua County)
Created Gainesville is a nonprofit organization committed to reaching and restoring lives impacted by sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. Funds from the grant will support the PIRA Program (prevention, intervention, restoration and awareness).
 

Hope 4 Veterans - $10,000
(Clay County)
Hope 4 Veterans is an organization that supports military women by preventing isolation, suicide, and homelessness. Grant funds would support the Peer2Peer Therapeutic Art program.
 

Diocese of St. Augustine Urban Plunge - $8,000
(Clay County)
The Roman Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine’s Plunge program is a local mission trip for volunteers to help homeowners rehabilitate homes to make them safe to live in. Funding from the grant will purchase construction supplies.
 

Christians Concerned for the Community - $5,000
(Alachua County)
Christians Concerned for the Community partners with local churches, organizations, and government agencies to help meet practical and spiritual needs in Alachua County. Grant funds will be applied to the construction of wheelchair ramps for elderly or disabled residents.
 

Christian Service Center of Columbia County, Inc. - $15,000
(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. The grant funds will be used for the Christian Service Center’s Client Assistance Program to help residents with utility bills and food assistance.
 

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 go toward the renovation of the group home’s driveway.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 7 applications for September 2024 in the amount of $72,000.

The Kitchen of Clay County - $2,000
(Clay County)
The Kitchen of Clay County serves a diverse group of Clay County residents facing food insecurity, including those experiencing homelessness and poverty. Funding from the grant will help to establish a location in Keystone Heights.
 

Sleep in Heavenly Peace Lake City Chapter - $10,000
(Columbia County)
Sleep in Heavenly Peace is a group of volunteers dedicated to building, assembling and delivering top-notch bunk beds to children and families in need. Grant funds will be applied to the purchase of supplies and materials to provide twin beds for local children.
 

Unity Family Community Center - $10,000
(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 hire tutors for the afterschool program.
 

Camp Boggy Creek - $10,000
(Marion County)
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 campers to the camp’s summer sessions.
 

Interfaith Emergency Services - $10,000
(Marion County)
Interfaith Emergency Services provides a full range of services and assistance for individuals and families in need in Marion County. It provides basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, and much more to enhance quality of life. Grant funds will be used to support the Food 4 Kids program, which works with 38 local schools to supply nutritious food in backpacks to send home each Friday during the school year.
 

Community Weatherization Coalition - $10,000
(Alachua County)
Community Weatherization Coalition is a grassroots community coalition whose mission is to help neighbors save energy and water and reduce their utility bills by engaging volunteers, building community, and learning together. Grant funds will support the Home Energy Tune-Up Program, which performs free home energy/water tune-ups for low-income families.
 

A Women’s Resource Center of Palatka - $20,000
(Putnam County)
A Women’s Resource Center of Palatka seeks to help women and their families during an unplanned pregnancy. Services are free and confidential. Funding from the grant will be applied to the purchase of a new ultrasound machine.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 7 applications for August 2024 in the amount of $80,000.

The Rock Program - $5,000
(Marion, Lake counties)
The Rock Rooms, located within multiple middle and high schools in Marion and Lake counties, provide resources such as food, clothing, hygiene products, mentoring, and much more to students during the school day. Grant funds will help fund the establishment of a Rock Room in an alternative school.
 

Woman’s Club of Keystone Heights - $10,000
(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 continued revitalization and restoration of the club building.
 

Rotarians for the Development of Youth, Inc. - $10,000
(Putnam County)
Rotarians for the Development of Youth's mission is to foster responsible, well rounded, and productive young people through exposure to an agricultural environment and integrated with the local community. Echo Lake Farms foster care service is their first project and is dedicated to foster children and their foster parents. Grant funds will be applied to providing a septic tank and potable water well for the property.
 

Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department- $15,000
(Alachua County)
The Cross Creek Volunteer Fire Department operates exclusively for fire and emergency medical services for the communities of Cross Creek, Island Grove and Lochloosa. Funds from the grant will help purchase equipment for extricating people from vehicle accidents.
 

ISKON of Gainesville - $10,000
(Alachua County)
ISKCON of Gainesville, commonly known as Krishna House, administers food programs that fight food insecurity in the community. Grant funds will help increase the number of meals that can be served each week.
 

Columbia County Senior Services - $10,000
(Columbia County)
Columbia County Senior Services provides senior citizens with a wide variety of services, including in-home family support, direct care by certified nursing assistants, transportation, home delivered meals, and enrichment activities. Grant funds will support transportation services.
 

Marion County Children’s Advocacy Center, Inc. - $20,000
(Marion County)
Kimberly's Center for Child Protection is Marion County's compassionate response to the trauma of child abuse, serving approximately 1,200 children per year who are alleged as victims of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, neglect or other forms of childhood trauma. Funding from the grant will support the Trauma Therapy program.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 10 applications for July 2024 in the amount of $83,500.

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 applied to the purchase of new vehicles for its transportation service.
 

Foundation for Florida Gateway College - $10,000
(Columbia County)
The Foundation for Florida Gateway College exists solely to provide financial support for Florida Gateway College and the students it serves. Funds will be used to provide scholarships for tuition.
 

Service Dogs for Patriots - $10,000
(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 veteran/service dog teams.
 

Santa Fe College Foundation - $10,000
(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.
 

Promised Land Family Ministries - $10,000
(Union, Alachua, Bradford, Columbia, Baker counties)
Promised Land Family Ministries is a faith-based nonprofit in Lake Butler that seeks to develop youth into responsible members of society through educational activities and programs that focus on agriculture and the outdoors. Funds from the grant will support the Farm LifeNew Life pavilion expansion.
 

Melrose Volunteer Fire Department - $15,000
(Alachua, 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 building’s kitchen renovation.
 

Compassionate Warriors, Inc. - $3,000
(Clay County)
Compassionate Warriors, Inc., based in Keystone Heights, was formed to bring positive change to the community by embracing and assisting those facing crises with love, support, compassion, and services. Funds from the grant will support the Angel Families program, which provides aftercare services for families affected by homicide.
 

ACE Mentor Program of Northeast Florida - $5,000
(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 field trips, scholarships and/or technical training for Clay County students.
 

Pausing with God Ministries - $500
(Clay County)
Pausing with God Ministries, located in Orange Park, is an organization that is committed to fostering personal & professional growth in women and teen girls. Grant funds will help purchase supplies for programs.
 

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.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 9 applications for June 2024 in the amount of $88,500.

God’s Kitchen - $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.
 

Hunger Fight, Inc. - $10,000
(Clay County)
Hunger Fight is a nonprofit agency that works to end hunger and illiteracy through the provision of nutritious meals and books to children, seniors and families in need by informing, engaging and mobilizing communities and partners. Funds from the grant will provide food and materials for the children’s backpack program, as well as books for children 5 years and younger.
 

Operation Barnabas - $15,000
(Clay, Bradford counties)
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 contribute to the construction of Fort Barnabas.
 

Clay 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 a new home construction project.
 

Eldercare of Alachua County - $20,000
(Alachua County)
ECAC provides in-home and community-based services that enable elderly clients to remain independent in their own homes for as long as they are able. Elder Care is perhaps best known for its Meals on Wheels program, but it also provides many other services that increase the quality of life for the frail elderly who live on a very limited income. Funds will be used to support the meal program.
 

Catholic Charities Bureau Lake City - $10,000
(Columbia County)
Catholic Charities is a nonprofit organization that provides services to the most vulnerable in our community, advocating for justice, human dignity and quality of life. Funds from the grant will support the Emergency Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to clients for essential utilities and housing costs.
 

Junior Achievement of North Florida, Inc. - $2,500
(Clay County)
Junior Achievement of North Florida is based in Jacksonville and provides financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship programs to youth in grades K-12. Funds from the grant will support the JA Inspire career exploration program.
 

First Coast Women’s Services - $1,000
(Clay County)
First Coast Women’s Services, Inc. provides pregnancy support services to the First Coast region and surrounding counties. Funding from the grant will support the Options Counseling and Earn While You Learn programs.
 

Seamark Ranch - $15,000
(Clay County)
Seamark Ranch, Inc. (a nonprofit corporation) was organized in Northeast Florida in 2001 to provide a solid Christian home for abused, neglected, abandoned, orphaned, and homeless children in need of a chance. The Ranch is dedicated to an environment filled with grace, love and service which fosters emotional healing in reclaiming the lives of such children. The Ranch's major source of revenue is private contributions. Funds will support the children’s mental health program.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 8 applications for May 2024 in the amount of $79,000.

Celebration United Methodist Church - $10,000
(Alachua County)
Celebration United Methodist Church in Gainesville is a Christian community dedicated to healing and wholeness, and is committed to being a safe and welcoming place for children and adults of all abilities. Grant funds will support the expansion of the new inclusive and accessible community playground.
 

St. Catherine’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul - $15,000
(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.
 

Catholic Charities Bureau St. Augustine - $12,500
(Putnam County)
Catholic Charities is a nonprofit organization that provides services to the most vulnerable in our community, advocating for justice, human dignity and quality of life. Funds from the grant will support the Emergency Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance to clients for essential utilities, housing, transportation or medication.
 

Gainesville Thrives - $10,000
(Alachua County)
Gainesville Thrives works to promote tutoring and mentoring for kindergarten through high school students, as well as other services for families of young children. Grant funds will be applied to subscriptions to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
 

Palatka Police Athletic League - $2,000
(Putnam County)
The Palatka Police Athletic League provides opportunities for youths to build leadership skills, trusting relationships, positive attitudes and life skills through mentor opportunities. Grant funds will support the summer camp program.
 

Frazier Outreach Foundation - $1,000
(Levy County)
The Frazier Outreach Foundation in Williston seeks to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged families with children by providing food, clothing, education and other resources. Grant funds will be applied to the food distribution program.
 

Communities in Schools of Bradford County - $13,500
(Bradford County)
Communities in Schools of Bradford County surrounds students with a community of support empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life. Funds will be used for programming to increase the graduation rate of Bradford County students.
 

Renew Recovery Café, Inc. - $15,000
(Volusia County)
ReNew Recovery Café in Daytona Beach offers free, low-barrier, trauma-informed community-based services to diverse populations on the path to recovery. Funds for the grant will be applied to the renovation of the bathroom area at the center.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 7 applications for April 2024 in the amount of $58,900.

PHO dba Renewed Outreach Center - $3,900
(Columbia County)
The Renewed Outreach Center in Lake City exists to bring hope through restoration and transformation by assisting impoverished communities by connecting with leaders to create a higher standard of living through feeding the homeless, providing clothes, education, training, job placement, medical treatment, counseling, shelter for veterans and transitional housing for unwed mothers and those battling addictions. Funding from the grant will purchase new appliances for the emergency shelter efficiencies.
 

Frank DeLuca YMCA Family Center - $2,500
(Marion County)
The purpose of the Frank DeLuca YMCA is to improve lives of all in Central Florida by connecting individuals, families and communities with opportunities based on Christian values that strengthen spirit, mind, and body. Funds from the grant will support the YMCA Scholarship Fund, which provides financial assistance for those who cannot afford memberships and programs..
 

Clay County Club, Inc. - $15,000
(Clay County)
Clay County Club, Inc. in Orange Park is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to provide a place for alcohol abuse recovery to happen. Grant funds will be applied to the continued improvement of the clubhouse building and grounds.
 

Here Tomorrow - $10,000
(All counties)
Here Tomorrow strives to transform lives by building a community where mental healthcare is acceptable and accessible. Funding from the grant will provide therapy sessions for residents across Clay’s 14-county service territory.
 

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.
 

South Putnam Christian Service Center - $10,000
(Putnam County)
The South Putnam Christian Service Center is a volunteer organization that assists those in need of food, clothing, prescription medication, propane, transportation and utility bills. Grant funds will be used as individual household grants for delinquent utility bills to prevent disconnection.
 

North Central Florida YMCA - $2,500
(Alachua County)
The North Central Florida YMCA offers programming aimed at developing new generations of changemakers who work to uplift their communities. Funding from the grant will support the Safety Around Water training campaign to increase water safety and reduce drownings.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 8 applications for March 2024 in the amount of $63,000.

Putnam Habitat for Humanity - $20,000
(Putnam County)
Founded in 1991, Putnam Habitat for Humanity serves residents of Putnam County based on need. Funds from the grant will be used to support the Putnam Service Project and the Veterans Village of Palatka.
 

Seeds of Love Ministry - $10,000
(Clay County)
Seeds of Love, based in Orange Park, meets the needs of low income and homeless families in Clay County. Grant funding will help purchase children’s shoes for the ministry’s Back to School Bash event.
 

Hope Therapy, Inc. - $5,000
(Clay County)
Hope Therapy, Inc. is a nonprofit equine-assisted activities and therapy program in Middleburg. Its mission is to improve the quality of life of children and adults with various diagnoses with the help of horses. Grant funding will be used to support the scholarship fund to allow clients of all ages to participate.
 

Catholic Charities Bureau - $5,000
(Clay County)
Catholic Charities is a nonprofit organization that provides services to the most vulnerable in our community, advocating for justice, human dignity and quality of life. Funds from the grant will provide financial assistance to clients for essential utilities.
 

Bradford Union Swine & Cattle Sale - $5,000
(Bradford, Union counties)
The Bradford Union Swine & Cattle Sale organization provides 4-H and FFA kids ages 8-18 the opportunity to learn the basics of raising farm animals for the local Bradford - Union County Agricultural Fair. Grant funds will help provide pens that will sustain long term use for swine, calves and goats during the fair week and other events.
 

Fellowship Baptist Food Pantry - $3,000
(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 purchase of food and additional shelves.
 

Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs - $10,000
(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.
 

Ferst Readers, Inc. - $5,000
(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.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 7 applications for February 2024 in the amount of $76,000.

Child Advocacy Center, Inc. - $20,000
(Alachua County)
The Child Advocacy Center works with child victims to break the cycle of abuse by offering therapy and case management. Grant funds will help complete the Center’s five-year renovation project.
 

Mt. Carmel Community Resource Center- $6,000
(Putnam County)
Mt. Carmel Community Resource Center is a food pantry that has served Palatka since 2002. Funding from the grant will help purchase commercial tile flooring and a commercial freezer.
 

Kristi Overton Johnson Ministries - $2,500
(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.
 

Partnership for Global Advancement- $10,000
(Bradford County)
Partnership for Global Advancement is nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to transforming lives by helping people develop wholeness in spirit, soul and body. Funding from the grant will support the development of Shiloh Farm – Whole Man Mission, a ministry that assists former inmates in transition.
 

Fort Clarke Middle School Band Boosters, Inc. - $7,500
(Alachua County)
Fort Clarke Middle School Band Boosters is a group of volunteers who support the FCMS band program. Grant funds will help absorb the cost of student participation.
 

Waste Not Want Not, Inc.  - $20,000
(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.
 

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 Healing Hometown Heroes program.
 

The Clay Electric Foundation approved 7 applications for January 2024 in the amount of $84,610.

Lee Conlee House - $10,000
(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.
 

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 230- $2,500
(Alachua County)
The American Legion Auxiliary supports the American Legion and seeks to enhance the lives of veterans, the military and their families at home and abroad. Grant funding will be applied to the purchase of an LED sign for the unit’s headquarters in Hawthorne.
 

Project Hope of Marion County - $15,000
(Marion County)
Project Hope of Marion County, based in Ocala, provides solutions for homelessness among women and their dependent children. Grant funds will help offset the costs associated with resident housing.
 

Rotary Club of Palatka  - $20,000
(Putnam County)
Rotary Club exists as an international service organization focused on addressing the human condition through investments of time, talent, and money. Grant funds will help install shading over the playground equipment at Rotary Project P.L.A.Y. Park, a community playground.
 

Goodwill Industries of North Florida - $20,000
(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.
 

Keystone Heights Sports Association- $5,000
(Clay County)
The Keystone Heights Sports Association provides recreational opportunities for children in Keystone Heights and the surrounding communities. Funding from the grant will be used to provide safety equipment for the youth program.
 

Fellowship of Christian Athletes - $12,110
(Alachua County)
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes focuses on serving local communities around the globe by engaging, equipping and empowering coaches and athletes to unite, inspire and change the world through the gospel. Grant funds will provide materials for FCA Campus and Community Huddle group sessions.