Log in | Register |
StormCenter logo

Archive

Tag: Q1 2024 grants

SECO Energy Foundation $50,000 Grant Supports Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter

The SECO Energy Foundation awarded a $50,000 grant to Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter. The SECO Energy Foundation presented the grant funds to the organization to assist with funding the Veteran’s Housing Preservation & Repair Program.

 

The mission of Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Since 1989, Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter (HFHLS) has been the bridge to affordable and stable homeownership for families. The organization strives to provide innovative, affordable housing solutions in Lake and Sumter Counties. In 2015, the organization established the Preservation & Repair Program to address the growing need of individuals and families who owned their homes and may have lived in their homes for generations, but for various reasons, were unable to maintain the health, safety, and/or improve the accessibility of their homes for their aging or health needs.

 

SECO Energy Foundation grant to Habitat for Humanity Lake-SumterLacie Himes, Development Director of Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter is thankful for the SECO Energy Foundation’s support. Himes stated, “Through the Preservation & Repair Program, the repairs performed by Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter include modifications for accessibility, such as ramps and grab bars, ADA compliant bathrooms and doorways; installation or extension of plumbing and electrical systems; HVAC; repair of structural components, and roofing repairs or replacement.”

 

SECO Foundation Board Director Matt Roudabush was enthusiastic about the grant’s impact, stating, “Our Board of Directors agreed that these veterans, who have selflessly served our nation, deserve our help when they are in need. The critical home repairs Habitat for Humanity Lake-Sumter will complete, including interior or exterior work to improve health, life, safety, or accessibility issues, are true examples of how these heroes will not be forgotten.”

 

The grant was one of five grants approved by the SECO Energy Foundation Board at their first quarterly meeting in 2024 and it falls under the “Veterans Initiatives” category of funding programs.

 

The SECO Energy Foundation is a charitable organization operating as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

 

The SECO Energy Foundation aims to support charitable organizations that assist residents in need and improve the quality of life in communities served by SECO Energy, which include the Central Florida counties of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter. SECO serves over 240,000 homes and businesses in Central Florida’s Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter Counties. To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation, visit SECOFoundation.org.

SECO Energy Foundation $10,000 Grant Supports United Way of Citrus County

The SECO Energy Foundation awarded the United Way of Citrus County a $10,000 community grant. The United Way of Citrus County has earmarked the grant funds to support The Grow Initiative: Financial Literacy; participants learn about financial literacy through classes that teach clients how to budget, manage and build credit, create a résumé, interview for jobs, and other skills to prepare them for financial success.

 

The GROW Initiative provides an opportunity to improve lives by teaching skills essential to long-term stability, which is an unknown concept to many people. The SECO Energy Foundation grant, with contributions from other community partners, will enable the organization to improve lives, create sustainable change, and assist Citrus County residents.

 

United Way of Citrus County CEO, George Schmalstig, described how the funding from SECO Energy Foundation would extend beyond supporting just the courses. Schmalstig stated, “This community grant from the SECO Energy Foundation will also be used to provide emergency assistance to participants attending the financial literacy courses. We want to be sure each person has the support to complete the training, so we will step in if needs arise.”

 

SECO Energy Foundation Board member, Mary Pericht, endorsed the approval of the grant’s potential impact, saying, “We respect the history of the United Way of Citrus County and their past achievements. Supporting this program made sense from the standpoint of its potential to radically improve the lives of Citrus County residents.”

 

Examples of emergency assistance could be eviction mitigation, rent/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, and car repairs, to name a few.

 

SECO Energy Foundation Executive Director, Mariah Delgado was confident the initiative would result in a positive outcome, stating, “I am so happy our Board chose to approve this grant, and I believe this team at United Way of Citrus County can execute The GROW Initiative successfully.”

 

The grant was one of five grants approved by the SECO Energy Foundation Board at their first quarterly meeting in 2024. The funded grants will be used to support charitable organizations that assist residents in need and improve the quality of life in communities served by SECO Energy. SECO serves over 240,000 homes and businesses in Central Florida’s Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter Counties.

 

The SECO Energy Foundation is a charitable organization operating as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3). Contributions to the Foundation are tax-deductible.

 

The SECO Energy Foundation aims to support charitable organizations that assist residents in need and improve the quality of life in communities served by SECO Energy, which include the Central Florida counties of Citrus, Hernando, Lake, Levy, Marion, Pasco, and Sumter. To learn more about the SECO Energy Foundation, visit SECOFoundation.org.