Ready for Success
Community foundation initiative raises more than $65K for local students.
Officials with the Marion County Children’s Alliance accept Ready for Success grant funds. [Photo courtesy Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County]
Earlier this year, the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County announced its inaugural Ready for Success initiative. On July 13, community partners joined foundation leaders for the Ready for Success Caravan, which traveled throughout Marion County to present grant checks to the four pre-selected nonprofit organizations—the Marion County Children’s Alliance, Marion County Public Schools – Families in Transition, Stuff the Bus and The Rock Program.
Ready for Success was created to address the growing needs of students and families throughout Marion County, according to foundation materials. The initiative united businesses, charitable organizations and individual donors around a shared goal: ensuring every child has access to the supplies and resources needed to thrive inside and outside the classroom.
The initiative raised more than $65,000. The grants included: The Rock Program, $20,000; stuff the Bus, $20,000; Marion County Children’s Alliance, $15,000; and Marion County Public Schools, $10,000. The funds will help provide backpacks, school supplies, hygiene products, clothing and other essential resources to students facing financial hardship.
“The success of Ready for Success is a testament to what can happen when a community comes together around a common purpose,” said Lauren Deiorio, CEO of the Community Foundation for Ocala/Marion County, in a news release. “Every dollar raised represents an investment in the future of our children. We are incredibly grateful to every partner and donor who stepped forward to make this initiative possible.”
In-kind donations will be accepted throughout July to help provide school supplies, hygiene items, backpacks, clothing and other resources for local students and families. Those interested in supporting one or more of the participating nonprofits can learn more by visiting ocalafoundation.org/ready-for-success/
Support community journalism
The first goal of the Ocala Gazette is to deliver trustworthy local journalism so corruption, misinformation and abuse are not hidden from the public or unchallenged.
