By Valerie Burrelle, Impact 100 Communication Chair And Board Of Directors
IMPACT 100 of Northwest Florida awarded five grant recipients $101,600 each for 2019. Since its conception in 2012, IMPACT 100 NWF has awarded 2.7 million dollars to nonprofits in Okaloosa and Walton counties.
Arts and Culture Recipient – Muscogee Nation of Florida, Inc.
Project: Muscogee Nation of Florida Agri-Tourism Initiative
The Muscogee Nation of Florida Agri-Tourism Initiative completes a heritage center site to preserve the history of the Muscogee people and enable visitors and students to learn about the First Americans indigenous to the Country. There is currently no museum or resource for the Creek Euchee inhabitants who have called Walton County home since this area was part of Spanish West Florida documented as far back as 1767. The Tribal Center will create employment opportunities for members from the Micro Farm, be self-sufficient, preserve Walton County history, and be a unique productive business for the local area.
Education Recipient – AMIKids Emerald Coast
Project: Vocational Training for At-Risk Youth
AMIKids Emerald Coast will provide vocational training services for Okaloosa County residents ages 16-24 who did not complete high school. These residents face many obstacles to success such as learning disabilities, family dysfunction, poverty, trauma, abuse, arrests, substance abuse, mental health problems, and other circumstances. Assistance in finding successful employment creates a pathway for these young men and women to change the course of their lives and become successful, contributing members of our community.
Environment Recipient –Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA)
Project: Building a Better Bay: Improving Water Quality Through Community-Led Restoration
The Choctawhatchee Bay is the heart of our community and our economy. CBA will transform our oyster shell recycling program and launch a new seagrass education and restoration initiative. By bringing oysters back into our bay, CBA will reduce erosion, create habitat, and improve water quality. By teaching students about seagrass and involving them in first-hand restoration work, we will give the next generation tools they need to continue creating resilient ecosystems. By this investment, CBA will sustain swimmable, fishable, livable waterways for humans and wildlife alike.
Family Recipient – A Bed 4 Me Foundation
Project: Big Impact on Big Dreams
Imagine bedtime without a bed. Families who are low-income, graduating from homeless transition programs or leaving domestic violence shelters all are in need on a regular basis. Impact 100 funds will continue to meet this increasing need as well as a reliable all weather vehicle to transport the beds and bedding to the families.
Health and Recreation Recipient – Destin Harvest, Inc.
Project: Fortify Food Rescue
Impact 100 funds will go to upgrade its fleet of refrigerated trucks that capture daily food donations from 29 grocery stores and retailers in Destin, Santa Rosa Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Defuniak Springs, and Freeport. DH recently acquired three new grocery stores in Defuniak Springs and Freeport that represent an additional 15k pounds of food, or meals, delivered each month to local feeding programs. With overwhelming need spilling into both counties from Hurricane Michael, the new grocery store pick-ups in Freeport and Defuniak Springs represent an answer for local feeding programs and the people they serve.
