2020 certainly has been a year like no other. But for the Grow Financial Foundation, every year presents new opportunities to do good and help those in our communities. Serving others is even more important in a time of unprecedented hardships, and the Grow Financial Foundation is proud to support many diverse organizations. Their mission to spread kindness is driven by the positive impact of their financial donations and success is measured by the lives changed for the better with each dollar donated.

We’d like to share some feedback from a few organizations they’ve been able to assist through the first half of the year:

The Mark Wandall Foundation

The Mark Wandall Foundation provides support and assistance to grieving children who have lost a family member or guardian. With support from the Grow Financial Foundation, they were able to host a very successful 2020 Youth Bereavement Camp where 88% of campers reported making a connection with another grieving person and 90% would recommend the camp to others.

“We were very fortunate to hold camp just a week before the pandemic took center stage. Thank you for your support in helping us secure funding for this camp. We are so grateful,” Wendy Orlando, Program Coordinator, said.

Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center

Emerald M Therapeutic Riding Center aims to meet its mission of Hope, Renewal and Growth through the use of equine assisted therapies. They strive to bring hope into the lives of the people they serve, provide them with a renewed sense of self, and give them an opportunity for growth. With the support of the Grow Financial Foundation, they were able to complete some much-needed upgrades at their facility.

“This donation was perfectly timed as we reopened our gates on June 1. Families are thrilled we have a shaded space now to work with their disabled children. Thank you all so much!” Lisa Michelangelo, Executive Director, shared.

YMCA Reads!

The Grow Financial Foundation and Grow team members have been supporting and volunteering with the Tampa Metropolitan Area YMCA and its YMCA Reads! Program for several years, but in 2020 it was the financial contribution that made the difference. As students moved to eLearning platforms, purchases made with the donation, including disguised learning games and iPads used to facilitate learning, have allowed lessons to continue.

“The YCMA is so grateful for the generous support from Grow Financial! Our YREADS team have moved to virtual lessons with students, but we hope to have you all out to volunteer again once school-based learning resumes!” Ali Hollenbeck, Associate Director of Grants and Proposals, remarked.

Quest, Inc.

Using quality and innovation, Quest, Inc. endeavors to build communities where people with disabilities can achieve their goals. Through their efforts to offer choices and opportunities to live, learn, work and play for those with developmental disabilities, they are able to make a difference in the lives of nearly 1,000 people per day. We’re proud to say the Grow Financial Foundation’s donation made a big impact on the lives of their clients.

“Thank you so much for your support. Because of your generosity we have the workforce simulation kits needed to continue training our individuals, to ready them for upcoming opportunities to earn a wage.” Bob Krouse, Senior Director of Philanthropy Tampa Region, Quest, Inc, said.

The Kind Mouse

Chronic hunger and food insecurity are real issues in our community, and The Kind Mouse strives to help families and children in Pinellas County overcome these challenges. Even with a skeleton crew during the COVID-19 pandemic, through donations like those of the Grow Financial Foundation, they’ve been able to continue feeding children at a time when assistance is needed more than ever.

“With the help of our community partner, the Grow Financial Foundation, we have been able to continue to feed so many food insecure children during the COVID crisis. To date over 38,000 little tummies have been filled during the first 15 weeks of COVID. Supporters like Grow help us to do what we do best—fill tummies! Thank you, Grow Financial!!!” Gina Wilkins, founder and CEO, shared.

The giving won’t stop here either. The Grow Financial Foundation has a lot in the works for the second half of the year and is excited to keep making an impact on our community.

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