The Community Foundation of South Lake Held Its 2022 Donor Appreciation Breakfast
Article by Chuck Seaver, South Lake Tablet
The Community Foundation of South Lake (CFSL) held its 2022 Donor Appreciation Breakfast on Wednesday, November 2. The celebration was held at the City of Clermont’s City Center with attendance that included local donors, philanthropists, non-profit organizations, local officials and grant recipients.
Kathy Smith, Executive Director of CFSL announces award winners
CFSL has been a community leader for over twenty-five years. The Foundation has invested proceeds from its endowment to organizations that are addressing the most crucial of issues in the local area. It graciously funded a total of $295,000.00 in community grants that were made possible by philanthropists and other donors.
A wide variety of non-profit organizations were recognized and received the following grants.
Anointed Community – $20,000.00 for the purchase of a van to transport children for after school care, field trips and Meals on Wheels
Education Foundation of Lake County – $21,600.00 to provide the Construction Academy program at South Lake High School and supported the college campus tour for 9th-12th grade students.
Episcopal Children’s Services – $5700.00 to provide hatch technology to accelerate learning gains in their Head Start program.
Find, Feed and Restore – $15,000.00 towards the Hannah Grace Gardens of Mascotte.
Habitat for Humanity – $17,700.00 for the preservation and repair program to assist low-income and very low-income individuals who need assistance with home repairs.
Hands of Hope America, Inc – $25,000.00 to provide emergency food assistance, education and social services to the clients in South Lake.
Lake Community Action Agency, Inc. – $25,000.00 to provide temporary rental assistance and Comprehensive Solutions Program (TRACS).
New Beginnings – $25,000.00 to provide transitional housing for 6-18 months, financial budgeting classes and on-site job placement assistance.
New Vision for Independence – $5,000.00 for assistance to move into a new building.
Southeastern Food Bank – $25,000.00 towards the repair of the warehouse roof and semi-trailer repair.
South Lake Community Ministries – $25,000.00 in support of one-fourth of the full-time case manager’s salary and the balance towards licensed family therapy.
Thrive Clermont – $25,000.00 to increase their adulting program from 200 to 500 students and to provide transportation for the students attending.
Additional grants awarded with non-specific detail were awarded to:
Central Florida Dreamplex – $20,000.00
March of Dimes, Easter Seals – $11,700.00
Stuckey Community Improvement Group – $28,000.00
Recognition and awards were presented to:
Sandra Taylor, Give-A-Day Foundation as Volunteer of the Year, and
Karen Daniels and Rick Douden were recognized as a team for Philanthropist of the Year.
Kathy Smith
The ceremony concluded with a warm farewell to Community Foundation of South Lake, Executive Director Kathy Smith. Kathy has been a member of CFSL since 2014 and will be retiring in early 2023. Plans are currently underway for a replacement director with an anticipated announcement coming soon.
