This year’s recipients of the Cox Charities Community Investment Grants are:
Capstone Adaptive Learning and Therapy Centers, Inc. received $4,000 for the Young Learners – Brain and Body Development program. The program uses educational and developmental curriculum, equipment and toys to facilitate age-appropriate learning and development.
YMCA of Northwest Florida received a $3,000 grant assist students at West Pensacola Elementary School get glasses to help them excel at reading.
“At our core, giving back to the communities we serve is not just a practice—it’s who we are,” said David Deliman, market vice president for Cox Gulf Coast. “Beyond providing crucial funding to local non-profits, our dedicated employees generously contribute their time and resources to uplift the Gulf Coast. Serving our community is ingrained in our DNA. I couldn’t be prouder of our team, embodying the spirit of compassion that defines us.”
Cox Charities is an internal giving campaign funded 100% by employees who set aside a portion of their paychecks to support the local grants. Money donated by employees in the Gulf Coast Market stays right here in the Gulf Coast. A committee comprised of local employees reviews applications and selects the grant recipients.
In addition to the Community Investment Grant, the Cox Charities Innovation in Education Program provides grants of up to $2,500 each to schools to fund classroom programs and curriculum that encourage and promote students’ ingenuity and imagination through the innovative use of technology. Last spring, Cox employees awarded more than $6,200 to six local schools.
The Cox Gulf Coast market includes parts of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties.
For more information about Cox Charities, visit www.CoxCharitiesSER.org.
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In November, I suggested that the Escambia Children’s Trust would have a more significant impact if provided glasses for needy children. Escambia County could be known as the county where every child needing glasses would have them.
I estimated the cost would be about $210,000 – not too much more than what the Trust spent on 30 kids in the Urban Development Center’s YouthFirst Century program.
The recommendation went nowhere. Instead of providing glasses at West Pensacola Elementary, the Trust gave its new executive director a $5,000 raise. Lindsey Cannon had advocates; hurting children didn’t. Thank goodness, Cox Communications employees helped.
The Trust has $30 million and another $70 million before 2030. A small fraction spent on health care – such as glasses, hearing aids, and dental – would make a huge difference.