The Bless Fruitland Park organization kicked off its annual Project Generosity fundraising project for the local grade school Aug. 14, with a goal of raising $14,000.
Wednesday morning, a number of volunteers with the organization representing local churches, business and civic groups presented Principal Tammy Langley with a check for $16,366.02.
Langley thanked the group for the donation and outlined what past gifts had enabled the school to provide for her 720 students. The donations will be used for new library books, electronic smart boards, which allow realtime teacher student classroom participation, and science lab equipment.
During the program, Pastor Sidney Brock introduced Cindi Falanga of Citizens First Bank, who described the bank’s donation, which was funded by their book sales through the year.
Those lending a hand to the effort included Judy Prior, who is president of The Villages Theatre Group, whose charitable gifts are funded by ticket sales to their plays. The next play is “Four Weddings and an Elvis” in October at the Mulberry Grove Recreation Center. Pastors Daryl and Debbie Allen, of Community United Methodist Church, coordinate tutoring services for the school, as well as helping to raise funds.
Pastor Jim Keegan, of New Life Church, explained how he and Brock, of Heritage Community Church, and Pastor George Mulford, of Grace Bible Baptist Church, went to lunch six years ago and decided to start the Bless Fruitland Park organization, with the intent to help the community by helping the school.
For more information, contact Brock at (352) 267-2939.
