- Cox Communications awarded $10,000 each to four Gainesville organizations to support literacy and learning programs through Cox Charities.
- IGB Education Corp. will use its $10,000 grant to fund transportation, meals, and STEM materials for an eight-week summer camp for about 50 students.
- Sharing and Caring Learning School will use its grant to expand STEAM and climate science education with new tools and an enlarged garden.
Cox Communications handed out four big checks for $10,000 to four Gainesville organizations promoting literacy and learning on Thursday.
Cox presented the checks to PEAK Literacy, Sharing and Caring Learning School, Star Center Children’s Theatre and IGB Education Corp. The event was through Cox Charities, which gives grant funding annually in each of its markets to local organizations.
Aimee Pfannenstiel, Cox Central Florida market vice president, said the company believes in the power of local community, and she said the company shows that belief through Cox Charities and the grants it gives.
“It’s an honor to be surrounded by such passionate organizations,” Pfannenstiel said. “I know that you make a difference every single day in our community, and it really aligns with who we are and what we do every day, as well.
Pfannenstiel presented IGB Education Corp. with its grant. She said the organization will use its $10,000 to expand access to an eight-week summer enrichment camp by covering transportation, daily meals, snacks and STEM literacy materials. Around 50 students might not be able to participate without these parts being covered, Pfannenstiel said.
Sharing and Caring Learning School is finishing its 29th year of teaching students in Gainesville. With its grant, the school will expand its hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) and climate science education, allowing new tools, learning materials and an expanded school garden.
La’Kendra Garrison with Cox introduced PEAK Literacy. She said the nonprofit will use its grant to support a year of high-dosage, one-on-one tutoring for 20 students at Westwood Middle School, where some students read two or three grade levels behind.
Star Center Children’s Theatre received a grant from Cox Charities in the fall and now has a second check to expand its Stories That Speak program. The new grant will help fund books, teaching artists and production materials so that students can transform literature into original theater and music performances, increasing literacy, confidence and empathy along the way.
David Terrell gave the check to Star Center Children’s Theatre and said Cox Charities has been a part of his role at the company since he started 35 years ago.
“Especially over the last 10 to 15 years, it’s been a beautiful thing to see evolve, and once again, the way that we have gone from business-driven to employee-driven to make it happen is a beautiful thing,” Terrell said.
Cox Communications partners nationally with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and recently, the Gainesville chapter opened a new tech lab through a grant from the company.
