The OREMC Foundation is pleased to announce second quarter grant awards presented to a dozen organizations across the OREMC service area totaling $55,500. The grant recipients are:

• Agape Unlimited, Inc., $3,000: OREMC Foundation Trustee Sonya Walker (pictured right) presented the grant award to Agape Unlimited, Inc. to help support their ACCESS program. The funds will be used to help close the digital divide by providing a computer lab to help empower those without access to one, as well as skills and leadership development that foster social and economic growth. Receiving the award for Agape were Frances Mitchell, Shawnessy Mitchell and Norman Powell.
• America’s Second Harvest of Coastal Georgia, Inc., $2,500: Michele Hutchins, OREMC’s Director of Communications & Marketing, presented Jennifer Floyd of America’s Second Harvest in Brunswick with a grant from the OREMC Foundation to support delivery of their Mobile Pantry Program in Brantley, Camden, Charlton, Glynn and Wayne counties. The Mobile Pantry Program serves approximately 5,000 households, helping individuals faced with hunger/food insecurity.
• Baker County Council on Aging, Inc., $5,000: Baker County OREMC Foundation Trustee Tina Mobley and OREMC Board President Wayne Combs presented Baker County COA Executive Director Christina Harvey with a $5,000 grant award to purchase disaster meals for homebound seniors. These 5-day, shelf-stable meal kits will be distributed to 222 homebound seniors to ensure they have food and proper nutrition during storm emergencies.
• Baker County Historical Society, Inc. $5,000: The grant was awarded to support restoration efforts to walls and windows in rooms that preserve one-of-a-kind genealogy books, materials and county records, some of which date back to the 1880s. Baker County OREMC Foundation Trustee Tina Mobley and OREMC Board President Wayne Combs presented the award to the Historical Society Board Directors Sandy Sikes, secretary, and Verona Burnham, treasurer.
• Baker County Ministers Association, $5,000: The grant presented to Pastor Mitch Rhoden by Baker County OREMC Foundation Trustee Tina Mobley and OREMC Board President Wayne Combs is to support the Samaritan Food Bank which serves 3,000 food insecure individuals a month. Also on hand to receive the award were (l-r) Betsy Booth, Volunteer Coordinator, and Volunteers Wendy Reeves and Randy Ray.
• Ferst Readers, $5,000: OREMC Foundation Trustees Ruby Ann Sawyer, president, Brooke Joiner and Ronda Dowling were pleased to present a $5,000 grant award to support Ferst Readers of Brantley County. Ferst Readers works to promote early childhood literacy by providing books to children from birth to five years old, especially those from low-income families. Doing so helps to create language-rich environments at home. Michelle Maddox, volunteer engagement manager, accepted the grant on behalf of Ferst Readers.
• Glynn County 4-H, $2,000: Bryce Phillips and Olivia O’Connor with Glynn County 4-H were thrilled to receive a $2,000 grant from the OREMC Foundation to support 4-H Summer Camp scholarships. Many 4-H families face financial barriers. Scholarships help reduce the cost of camp by half enabling students to participate in a week-long camp focused on enrichment, education and leadership development. OREMC’s Director of Communications & Marketing Michele Hutchins presented the check on behalf of the OREMC Foundation.
• Golden Isles Youth Orchestra (GIYO), $4,000: The grant award presented to GIYO will be used for acquisition and refurbishment of musical instruments. GIYO provides many of its young musicians with instruments on which to learn. In the normal course of use, the instruments require maintenance and upgrading to maintain their level of performance. OREMC Foundation President Ruby Ann Sawyer presented the check at the kickoff to Summer Camp for beginner/intermediate student musicians to Camp Co-Directors Thomas Trinh and Lucie Akkermans, Philharmonia Director.
• North Camden Action Association, $5,000: Camden County OREMC Foundation Trustee Sonya Walker was thrilled to present the North Camden Action Association with a grant award to support scholarships, book bags and school supplies to middle and elementary students living in the communities of North Camden County. Accepting the award were (l-r): Charles Massey, executive director; Board Members Ann Hart, Norman Flowers, Pauline Haywood and Elvis Randolph; and Sarah Williams, vice president. Not present were Alberta Randolph, treasurer, and Amber Walker, secretary.
• Okefenokee Heritage Center, Inc., $4,000: Celebrating its 5oth Anniversary as a regional cultural art and history museum promoting the Okefenokee area through appreciation of the arts and an increased understanding of the region’s history with its exhibits, programs, and activities, the center was looking to upgrade its signage. The Center’s Executive Director Carla Cornett flanked by board members, friends and volunteers, accepted the award from OREMC Foundation Trustees (l-r) Ronda Dowling, Ruby Ann Sawyer, president, and Brooke Joiner.
• S.H.A.R.E. of Coastal Georgia, $5,000: The grant will help support the Adult Day Program in their efforts to foster learning, creativity and social interactions for retired seniors who need extra care. Focus areas include senior-friendly arts and crafts and cooking class to enhance social interaction. Michele Hutchins, OREMC Director of Communications & Marketing, presented the grant to (l-r): Executive Director Kay Crockett, Finance Director Barbara Franklin, Board President Vicki Coolidge, ADC Activities Assistant Vinell Nelson, and Special Education Teacher (retired) Robin Riggins.
• Skylark Clinic, Inc., $5,000: The grant award is to purchase cribs and car seats to support the Earn While You Learn program, an education-based system with over 300 lessons on how to have a healthy pregnancy, life and parenting skills for families facing unplanned pregnancies. Points are earned so clients can “shop” for needed items in the Sky Boutique. Accepting the award was Executive Director Patrick Eades, Director of Growth & Events Mary Elsabeth Buckner and Brunswick Center Director Lori Nichols. The grant was presented on behalf of the OREMC Foundation by Michele Hutchins, OREMC Director of Communications & Marketing.
• YHS FFA Alumni and Support, Inc., $5,000: Supporting agricultural mechanics is the focus of the grant presented to the Yulee High School FFA Alumni. Funds will be used to build a covered car port where FFA students can work on restoring two tractors and a Kawasaki Mule, as well as include a tool room for secure storage. OREMC Foundation Vice President Ramona Jones presented the award to YHS FFA Alumni Treasurer Pete Fitzhugh and FFA Advisor Casey Raulerson.

The next OREMC Foundation grant application deadline is Friday, July 11, 2025. 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. Applications are available, and can be downloaded, at oremc.com/foundation.