Page 1 - Martin Downs Bulletin - December '24

VOL. 26 NO. 12 www.seabreezepublications.com DECEMBER 2024

Education Foundation Of Martin County

Announces Teacher Of The Year Award Winners

Tonight, the Education Audi Stuart, Infiniti Stuart and Alfa Romeo Stuart, the event
Foundation of Martin County sponsor, presented Molina-Council with the award.
announced its Teacher of The Education Foundation also recognized Alicia Carter
the Year winners during of Hidden Oaks, who won the middle school category,
a special celebration at and Samantha Pankhurst of Jensen Beach High, the high
the MIDFLORIDA Credit school category winner. There were a total of 23 nominees
Union Event Center. competing for the top spots.
Vanessa Molina-Council In addition, Felix A. Williams Elementary School won
of Citrus Grove Elementary the Spirit Award, which was based on its theme, costumes,
School took top honors and props and enthusiasm.
was named the 2024-2025 Molina-Council’s students inspire her to be a classroom
Martin County Teacher of teacher. She grew up in low-income housing with non-
the Year. She will go on to English speaking parents and a sibling who had a disability.
represent Martin County They both attended inner city public schools in rough
in the state competition neighborhoods, but her teachers made them feel valued
to become the Florida and respected and provided their parents with guidance
Department of Education’s and resources. This experience inspired her to pursue the
Teacher of the Year. teaching profession.
Devin Carlson, partner Felix A. Williams Elementary won the School Spirit Award, sponsored by the Education
and general manager of Foundation of Martin County. (Photo by Paul Careccia) Education Foundation on page 3
Hanley Foundation And Mark Garwood Foundation

Raise $120,000 For Education Scholarships

At Eighth Annual Shoot For The Moon

The Hanley Foundation and the After a warm welcome from the Garwood family and
Mark Garwood Foundation raised a safety briefing, more than 188 shooters took the field for
$120,000 during the Eighth Annual the friendly competition. Participants and guests enjoyed
Shoot for the Moon on Friday, a barbecue lunch prepared by the Martin County Sheriff’s
November 1, at the South Florida Office Grill Team, a live auction, and an awards ceremony
Shooting Club in Palm City. This for individual and team winners. Nine new recipients were
year’s event marked a milestone as awarded Mark Garwood Phoenix Scholarships for the 2025
the Hanley Foundation officially academic cycle at the luncheon.
partnered with the Mark Garwood Since its inception in 2015, 76 Mark Garwood Phoenix
Foundation to continue to provide Scholarships have been awarded and more than $540,000
education scholarships for individuals in financial aid provided to individuals who are actively
in recovery from substance use
disorder (SUD). Mark Garwood Phoenix Scholarship Recipients Shoot For The Moon on page 4
United Way Of Martin County Celebrates Community Leaders

United Way of Martin County kicked off its annual “I understand that this year has not been an easy one,
campaign with the Community Leaders’ Celebration especially after the destruction caused by Hurricane Milton,”
luncheon at Sailfish Point Country Club on October 28. Lowe pointed out. “Which is why I wanted to thank United
Nearly 200 people from this fine community came together Way of Martin County for always being there when we need
to honor and celebrate their outstanding achievements from them most, not only by providing resources and assistance
the past year while looking towards an even brighter future. through disaster relief programs, but most importantly, by
At the luncheon, United Way thanked the many generous being the guiding light to residents who may otherwise feel
organizations and dedicated individuals who raise millions of lost. With the generosity of those working and volunteering
dollars every year to ensure that Martin County residents are at United Way, our beloved family and friends can remain
able to provide basic needs for themselves and their families. hopeful that they will get back on their feet every time.”
Derek Lowe, coordinator of Public Information and During the luncheon, United Way announced Martin
Community Relations for the Martin County School District, County’s Top 10 Most Generous Workplaces and Communities
served as event emcee. that make our community investment possible. Since United Way’s inception
Top 10 Workplaces of honoring our Top 10
1. Publix Most Generous Workplaces
2. Seacoast Bank and Communities, Publix
3. FPL Super Markets continues to Carol G. Houwaart-Diez,
4. Pratt & Whitney reign as the most generous United Way of Martin County
5. Martin County Board of workplace in Martin County. president and CEO with Elliot
County Commissioners (Left to right: Blake Davis Paul, United Way of Martin
6. Cleveland Clinic and Dipal Mehta) County board chair.
7. Raymond James
8. City of Stuart United Way on page 6