Coral Gables Community Foundation Awards Mearly $150,000 at Annual Merrick Society Reception
By: A.A. Cristi May. 31, 2017
Dedicated to continuing city founder George E. Merrick's vision for Coral Gables, the Merrick Society represents the Foundation's highest levels of giving, where donors make a three-year commitment of support at the $1,000 level and higher. Friends and supporters gathered at the beautiful home of Claudine Claus in Coral Gables to celebrate the Foundation's most generous donors and their contributions to the City Beautiful.
The Coral Gables Community Foundation and its fund holders take pride in awarding scholarships to assist deserving students with financial need. This year, the Foundation presented The Coral Gables Community Foundation's Four-Year Scholarship, the Ralph V. Moore Scholarship for Cavalier Excellence, the Lady Suzanna P. Tweed Scholarship, the Kerdyk Family Music Scholarship, the Culinary Arts Fund Scholarship and for the first time, the Garcia Perseverance Scholarship. The students were presented their awards by Scott Richey, Chair of the Four-Year Scholarship Committee and the Foundation's Board of Directors for their academic excellence and outstanding service to their school and community.
The 25 recipients of college scholarships from the Foundation are: Albany Muria, Angelica Viscito, Annie Farrell, Jose Puig, Juliette Bouchett, Mariam Ahumada, Lane Morris, Rey Prieto, Jaquelyn Elias, Jake Paz, Angie Mella, Jillian Paz, Valentina Castillo, Zayna Vincent, Patricia Garcia, Noelia Hernandez, Melissa Rodriguez, Evelin Guifaro, BrIan Martinez, Cassandra St. Charles, Kristy Rodriguez and MirElla Martinez.
"We are so proud to award these 25 talented and deserving students with college scholarships. Additionally, our Community Grants efforts have reached a new high with the awarding of more than $50,000 to 20 non-profit organizations with an impact in Coral Gables. The generosity of our fund holders, donors and supporters throughout the year make this possible," said Mary Snow, Executive Director of the Coral Gables Community Foundation.
In addition to the scholarship awards, the event also celebrated the Foundation's Spring 2017 Community Grant recipients. Twice a year, the Coral Gables Community Foundation awards Grants to non-profit organizations with an impact in Coral Gables. Twenty non-profit organizations were presented with their Grant award by the Chair of the Foundation's Board of Directors, John O'Rourke. The Coral Gables Community Foundation is proud to support the great work of its Spring 2017 Grantees:
Camillus House
Dental Clinic at the Coral Gables Women's club
Bake-a-Wish
Boys & Girls Club
Casa Valentina
Children's Bereavement Center
Community Arts Program At Coral Gables Congregational Church
Coral Gables Art Cinema
Genes Foundation
Coral Gables Museum
Guitars Over Guns
ICU Baby
Junior Orange Bowl
Miami Children's Museum
Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship
Red Chemistry
Seraphic Fire
Teach for America
Miami Gay Men's Chorus
Montgomery Botanical Center
"Our Board of Directors, Merrick Society members, fund holders and supporters are such an important part of our giving," said John O'Rourke III, Chairman of the Coral Gables Community Foundation Board of Directors. "Their generosity allows us to give back in these impactful ways, which adds to the footprint of the Foundation and enhances the quality of life in Coral Gables."
About Coral Gables Community Foundation Led by community leaders, the Coral Gables Community Foundation provides the philanthropic conduit to connect individuals and corporations looking to positively impact the success of the community. For 26 years, The Foundation has been at the forefront of the evolving needs of Coral Gables while effectively bringing together beneficiaries and benefactors to fund programs with the greatest impact and benefit to "The City Beautiful." For more information, please visit www.gablesfoundation.org.
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