INDIAN RIVER COUNTY – The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation announced the results of its fall grant cycle, awarding more than $28,000 to local agencies, programs and Kids on Courts Scholarships.
Among the seven organizations and programs receiving funds, includes the Boys and Girls Club Of Indian River County and the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center.
Boys and Girls Club Of Indian River County Athletic Program will now be able to enhance their core area of Sports and Recreation as well as health and life skills by providing additional opportunities to participate in team sports. Basketball, soccer and baseball leagues, amongst others, are all available, aiming to improve individual physical fitness as well as create healthy habits amongst the participants.
Dasie Hope Center will also be receiving Kids in Motion grant support this 2017/2018 school year. Verna Wright, Executive Director, applied for funds to support the after-school center’s Kids Cafe programing, providing hot meals to over 75 children five days a week.
In addition to youth based community organizations, four Indian River County Elementary schools (five school-based programs) applied for and received funds.
Schools and programs include the following; Treasure Coast Elementary Gardening Club, Sebastian Elementary Cheerleading and Dance, Glendale Art Club and Pelican Island Gardening Club and Soar To Be Fit, in school, prevention-based program.
Nearly 1,700 children will be participating in the seven programs being funded by Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation.
While it proves to be a wide variety of programs receiving Kids in Motion support, they each have a very common thread of health, fitness and nutrition. The Kids in Motion program is authorized by the Indian River County School Board, as amended, and is intended to help Elementary Schools & Community-Based Organizations to initiate, expand, or enhance their physical education, nutrition, or enrichment programs. These programs are designed with a priority on safety and wellness to help students learn new and exciting activities that encourage lifelong healthy habits.
Each awarded school/agency is required to complete a program evaluation capturing goals, outcomes and students reached. Recipients also are asked to incorporate the Foundation’s “Six Healthy Habits” into their programming.
The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, Kids in Motion, seeks to align After School Programs with current knowledge, research, and best practices in the fields of fitness, nutrition, and wellness. Likewise, applicants are required to design projects that address their specific needs and align with existing related initiatives in areas of expertise.
“We are honored to partner with and support these local organizations providing critical services to our area youth,” Tom Fish, representing the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation. “We are also grateful to the donors whose generosity makes these grants possible.”
Kids on Courts tennis program, now based at Grand Harbor partnered with LOTA Sports, assisted 50 children with scholarship aid during the programs first three months at its new location. After School Tennis, the Foundation’s flag-ship program, now is able offer tennis classes five days a week (depending on level) throughout the entire school-year. Sessions are set up monthly and scholarships are available for all children, no child is turned away due to financial constraints.
Scholarship inquiries can be sent to kristen@mffkids.org. On-line registration is accessible HERE.
To learn more about Boys and Girls Club Of Indian River County Recreation programing, visit: https://www.bgcirc.org Or contact Athletic Director, jordanadams@BGCIRC.org.
Dasie Hope Bridgewater Center Kids Café information can be found at www.dasiehope.org.
Or, contact Kristen@mffkid.org to learn more about the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation grant process, Kids on Courts Scholarships or programs.
Mardy Fish is a top-ranked U.S. tennis professional dedicated to supporting the youth in his hometown of Vero Beach. Started in 2007, the non-profit Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation currently supports over 2,100 children in 13 elementary schools, six middle schools, and three afterschool centers in Indian River County by supporting after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives.
The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012, which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.”