As 2023 winds down, the OREMC Foundation is celebrating the 112 grants it has awarded over the past two years totaling over $400,000. The OREMC Foundation was launched in 2021 as a community development initiative to support education, economic development, community needs and disaster recovery in the communities across the eight county Okefenoke REMC service area.

            Qualified organizations can apply for grants on a quarterly basis that support programs and initiatives approved by the OREMC Foundation trustees in accordance with the Foundation’s charter. Closing out 2023, nine organizations received grants in the fourth quarter totaling $37,700, including:

• Baily Brothers Foundation, $5,000: Elaine Baily accepted a $5,000 grant from OREMC Foundation Trustee Carolyn Strickland to support their education, health and wellness program—Grover Brothers Athletics—for low-income families. The program combines athletic teamwork and physical fitness with academic support and achievement.
• Charton County Historical Society, $1,500: OREMC Foundation Trustee Carolyn Strickland presented the Chartlon County Historical Society with a $1,500 grant to preserve and digitize the Headrights Register, a historic ledger from the 1800s. It is a record of the headrights and land grants of Charlton County and the transfer of such lands up until 1898. Accepting the grant are the Historical Society’s Board President Donna Nance and Executive Director Carolyn DeLoach, holding the Register.
• Ferst Readers of Brantley County, $5,000: Ferst Readers promotes early childhood literacy by providing a book to children every month from birth to five years old. To help increase participation and sustain children already enrolled in the program in Brantley County, OREMC Foundation Trustees Ronda Dowling (left) and Ruby Ann Sawyer (right) presented Ferst Readers Volunteer Coordinator Michelle Maddox with a $5,000 grant.
• Lucky Dawg Foundation, $5,000: OREMC Foundation Trustee Ruby Ann Sawyer presented Richie and Codie Douberly founders of the Lucky Dawg Foundation with a $5,000 grant to support their efforts to provide for children in need in Brantley County with jackets, hats and Christmas gifts, as well as hand sanitizer for classrooms, baby food for families, prom dresses for high school students.
• Make a Difference Mentoring, $5,000: Targeting young men ages 7-17 for mentoring, as well as providing tools and support to help them become productive citizens, is the goal of Make a Difference Mentoring (MAD). The program integrates a positive male influence where it doesn’t exist in the family. Graduation rates, reduced drop out rate and avoiding the juvenile justice system are all measures of success. OREMC Foundation Trustee Sonya Walker, along with OREMC Member Service Supervisor LaNancy Moody (right), Kingsland Office, presented grant award to MAD Director Timothy Bessent.
• Nassau County Council on Aging, $5,000: OREMC Foundation Trustee Tina Mobley presented the Nassau County Council on Aging with a $5,000 grant to help support the county’s Meals on Wheels program, and cover those waiting approval on a waitlist. The Council expected to serve 52,000 meals to seniors in 2023. Accepting the check was Westside Senior Life Center Manager Linda Rogers.
• Satilla Advocacy Services, $5,000: Working with the Waycross Judicial Circuit Court, Satilla Advocacy Services provides sexual assault education, victim support services, and where interviews are conducted during the investigative process. OREMC Ronda Dowling (left) was pleased to present a $5,000 grant award to support the creation of a Calming Room for children to retreat to and feel safe, as well as promote play therapy during counseling sessions. Accepting from Satilla Advocacy Services were (l-r): Maggie Santana, Community Awareness Coordinator; Robin Thomas (retired) Grant Manager; Marissa Lairsey, Counselor & Forensic Interviewer; Latoshia Kirksey, Clinical Coordinator; and Tess Aldridge, Executive Director.
• Sowing Seeds Outside The Walls, $5,000: A mentorship program for young boys and men to support families in the community through education and social development. Aimed at young men without fathers, and fathers who have fallen on difficult times, to provide encouragement, perspectives and enrichment. OREMC Foundation Trustee Carolyn Strickland presented the grant to Sowing Seeds Board Secretary Sylvia Evertt and Founder Antwon Nixon.
• West Nassau Historical Society, $1,200: To support the juried art show presented by the Historical Society at the Callahan Depot as a vehicle to discover, document and highlight the rich and diverse tapestry that is the history and culture of Nassau County’s Westside, OREMC Foundation Trustee Tina Mobley presented a grant to Board Directors (l-r) Jerry Peterson, President Emily Baumgartner, John Hendricks and Marge Powell.

The next OREMC Foundation grant application deadline is Friday, January 5, 2024. Applications are available, and can be downloaded, at oremc.com/foundation.