FLEMING ISLAND, Florida, April 23, 2019 – The Paul E. & Klare N. Reinhold Foundation, Inc., held its annual “Celebrate Clay” community service awards breakfast on April 23rd, during which the Foundation distributed $75,000 and 48 community service awards to nonprofit organizations that provide services to Clay County residents.
The Way Free Medical Clinic captured the top honor this year, earning the $10,000 Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award.
The Foundation created the “Celebrate Clay” awards program to honor the legacy of Paul and Klare Reinhold and to recognize, reward, and encourage community service within Clay County. The Foundation has awarded more than $765,000 to Celebrate Clay award recipients in the past eleven years.
A panel of five judges including three independent volunteers from the community and two Reinhold family representatives voted on the best projects of 2018 to determine the winners of the $75,000 in cash awards. This year’s judges were: Mr. Russell Buck, Regional Vice President, Vystar Credit Union; Mrs. Chance Irvine, Immediate Past Chair, Board of Directors, Penney Retirement Community; Mr. Mark Szaks, President and Owner, Trust Environmental Services; and Mr. J.F. Bryan IV and Mrs. May Martin Bryan, Representatives of the Reinhold family.
Applications were open to all non-profit groups active in the First Coast Area that provided services to Clay County residents in 2018. The 48 winners included Clay County and regionally based nonprofits, churches, and school programs.
Congratulations to all of the 2019 Celebrate Clay awards winners (listed below).
2019 Celebrate Clay All Award Recipients
Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award ($10,000):
The Way Free Medical Clinic
Judges’ Choice Program Awards ($5,000 each):
PACE Center for Girls Clay
Quigley House
Extraordinary Executive Director* ($5,000):
Fred Meiners, Executive Director, Seamark Ranch
Peggy Bryan Volunteer of the Year Award* ($5,000):
Dianne McKittrick, Special Olympics Florida – Clay County
Judges’ Choice Volunteer Awards* ($2,500 each):
John Wrightington, Waste Not Want Not
Jerry Ballmann, Church of the Good Samaritan Anglican
*Note: Volunteer and executive director awards recognize outstanding individuals for their community service. The cash awards are provided to the nominating nonprofit organization that they serve.
Best New Organization ($2,500):
CalaVida Arts Festival
Special Judges’ Awards ($1,500 each):
BASCA
Challenge Enterprises
Clay County Habitat for Humanity
Clay County Police Athletic League
The James Boys of Orange Park United Methodist Church
Mercy Support Services
Mobility Worldwide FL – Penney Farms
Project REACH, Clay County School District
Safe Animal Shelter
YMCA Take Stock in Children Clay County
Category Awards ($750 each):
Arts & Culture
Concert on the Green
Oakleaf Village Elementary Music Department
Civic Programs
Clay County Archives
Community Programs
The Clothes Closet of Church Women’s Christian Ministries
Feeding Northeast Florida
Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs
Hope Haven Association
Hunger Fight
The Kitchen on Clay County
Orange Park Outfitters – Orange Park High School
Women’s Empowerment Services of NE FL
Education & Literacy
Early Learning Coalition of North Florida
Episcopal Children’s Services
Health & Human Services
Clay Behavioral Health Center
Community Hospice & Palliative Care
Hope Therapy
Soldiers Freedom Outdoors
Senior Citizens’ Accomplishments
Shepherd’s Center of Orange Park
Church Service Programs
Food Bridge – Middleburg United Methodist Church
Good Samaritan Ministry – Orange Park United Methodist Church
A Heart for Homes – HighPoint Community Church
Mission of the Dirt Road (Keystone Heights)
Accomplishments by Youth
AMIkids Clay County
Clay County 4-H Foundation
Lake Asbury Jr. High Band – United Sound
Service to Youth & Families
Big Brothers Big Sisters of NE FL
Kids First of Florida
Magnolia Point Women’s Club Charities
Miriam’s Basket
Teen Court of Clay County
The grant programs of The Paul E. & Klare N. Reinhold Foundation, Inc. support philanthropic and charitable organizations that work to improve the quality of life for Clay County residents.
FOR MORE INFORMATION contact: Amy Parker, Executive Director, Paul & Klare Reinhold Foundation, 904-269-5857 ext. 404.
