Gulf Coast Community Foundation gives back to local programs

A South Mississippi foundation is investing in the future of the Coast.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation awarded more than $172,000 in grants to support programs serving children and animals in South Mississippi.

Three South Mississippi organizations are receiving funding from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation through the John T. and Lois R. ‘Sonny’ Velkas Child Welfare Fund to support children and families across the Coast.

The foundation also put $25,000 each toward six animal welfare agencies supporting ‘Fixed for Life,’ a no-cost spay and neuter program though the Wilson Animal Welfare Fund.  GCCF President and Executive Director Christen Duhe said, “Here at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, we have over 130 different funds that people, organizations, other non-profits have created over the years. We were able to give away grants from two funds, the Velkas Child Welfare Fund and the Wilson Animal Welfare Fund. We have committees that review different applications or sometimes they may just see something in the community. So, we created the Fixed for Life program through the Wilson Animal Welfare Fund.”

CASA of South Mississippi received $8,000 for school bags and supplies for children in its program.

The Hancock County School District received $8,400 to support Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program.

Make-A-Wish of South Mississippi received $6,500 to help grant a life-changing wish to a child with a critical illness. “Really, if any person would like to partner with us to make a better community by creating a fund, if there is something that you are passionate about, then we can work with you to help others, we would love to do that.”

The funding will provide critical resources to organizations serving South Mississippi communities.