The Fred Griffin Legacy Fund, overseen by Mr. Griffin’s wife Susanne Chesser, seeks to distribute impactful financial grants to select Christian non-profit ministries who proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their heart is to serve the needs of others, while using Fred’s legacy of generous giving to share the love of Christ.
Right after the New Year, Ms. Chesser, along with friends and family, joined Anthony Zorbaugh, Executive Director of the Source, along with Source Board Members, to donate a generous donation to Dignity Village through her late husband’s legacy fund.
Dignity Village, the former Pelican Island vacation resort located at 11330 U.S. Highway One in Sebastian, will boast 18 one or two bedroom efficiencies once it opens this year. The individual air-conditioned units are being repainted indoors and outdoors, fully furnished with new furniture and appliances, towels and linens, well- equipped kitchenettes, flat screen TV’s and high speed Wi-Fi. The units have either attached screened-in porches or outside patios, and a newly refurbished on-site laundry center has coin-operated washers and dryers. An air-conditioned multi-purpose Community Room on campus is also being refurbished offering space for resident programs, meetings, income producing jobs and socializing. A storage area on property will be suitably renovated for use as a chapel for the residents and another with coin operated vending machines filled with snacks and beverages. Encouraging a community feel, an outdoor kitchen, as well as an outdoor movie theatre, will be constructed and the entire area will be re-landscaped.
According to Anthony Zorbaugh, “Once we discovered this beautiful parcel of land located minutes away from Sebastian’s Riverfront District (in between U.S. One and Indian River Drive), we knew this was meant to be our long awaited Dignity Village. This is our first foray into affordable housing for those in our community in need of having a roof over their heads. Thanks to the generous donors who support our goals and what we are accomplishing are thanked for helping to make these dreams a reality.”
I am Ministries DBA The Source is a Christian social outreach ministry that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service for the homeless since 1995. Founded in Indian River County, the organization, inclusive of all people regardless of race, creed or color, serves its homeless neighbors through core programs that include Dining with Dignity-a culinary employability training program, Dignity Catering and Dignity Food Trucks, Dignity Buses-mobile overnight emergency shelters sleeping nearly 40 nightly, Dignity Village-20 affordable housing units, as well as a myriad of programs and services that instill a sense of community. For more information on The Source, contact Executive Director Anthony Zorbaugh at 772-564-0202, Ext. 204 or visit www.iamthesource.org .
Grant applications for The Fred Griffin Legacy Fund will be accepted that meet minimum criteria and procedures. Grants of $5,000 to $75,000 will be awarded to well-vetted ministries. A ministry must meet the criteria of being a Christian organization. Ministries who receive grants are welcome to apply for another grant after a waiting period of two (2) years. For questions please email suzannechesser@gmail.com.