INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Steve Owen, father of country music star Jake Owen, presented a $12,500 check to Indian River Education Foundation’s Cynthia Falardeau, Executive Director, and Mary Miner, Program Manager on Wednesday, Dec, 31, 2014.
The funds will be used to support the Education Foundation’s Sneaker Exchange and School Supply programs. Both initiatives assist economically disadvantaged students enrolled in the School District of Indian River County.
The Sneaker Exchange Program provides, “Happy Feet,” to children in grades pre-K through 12. The program keeps economically disadvantaged children on a path of learning by providing them a pair of durable sneakers to participate safely in all school activities comfortably and proudly. Every public school in Indian River County is served by this program.
The School Supply program provides more than 2,000 school supply kits and backpacks every August to children in need. All supply kits are distributed through the School District of Indian River County. The free and reduced lunch report is used to qualify students in need of assistance.
The Education Foundation of Indian River County operates both as a funding source and as a service provider for the school community. The foundation works with the school system to develop, evaluate and secure funding for new, innovative projects, generated both by the system itself and by community organizations. In addition, the Foundation seeks to support the students’ opportunities to achieve school success and to develop the skills needed to meet the challenges of higher education and the pursuit of vocational interests.
The Jake Owen Foundation is a not-for-profit 501(C(3) organization. Founded in 2010, the Jake Owen Foundation was created to offer its support on a national level to children battling cancer and other childhood diseases while also lending its support to youth organizations and various charities in Owen’s hometown area of Indian River County. The local organizations benefiting from the annual benefit concert assist youth with illnesses, shelter, food, education, health and fitness, the arts and the opportunity to better themselves through various programs and organizations.
To learn more about the Education Foundation of Indian River County visit: www.edfoundationirc.org, email: director@edfounadtionirc.org or call: (772) 564-0034.
To learn more about the Jake Owen Foundation visit: www.jakeowen.net/community or contact MLCope@chevents.com.
