Page 4 - Palm City Spotlight - May '22

Page 4, Palm City Spotlight

NoNprofit News

Nonprofit Organizations how much money is raised through donations to United Way. new program, we need to either raise more money or make

Feeling The Pinch Of Economic “Every year, we receive more requests for grant funding, but difficult decisions about other worthy programs,” Diez said.
Over the next month, more than 65 volunteers will review
we have a limited pool of dollars, and if we want to fund a
Pressures Are Turning To the 51 applications totaling $1,446,977 in requests – a 35
percent increase compared to last year. Volunteers go through
United Way For Funding the grant applications and dive into each applicant’s financials
and program outcomes. There are also in-person site visits
As it reviews a record number of applications for grants, and discussions as part of the evaluation process.
the United Way of Martin County says the increase in The volunteers’ recommendations are sent to United
requests reflects the strain on nonprofit organizations that Way’s fund distribution committee, which will make its
help the community. “The need, clearly, has increased,” recommendations to the United Way board of directors.
United Way of Martin County President/CEO Carol G. Grant funding is announced at United Way’s Grant Award
Houwaart-Diez said. “The sheer volume of grant applications Announcement event on Friday, June 24, at 8:30 a.m. at New
has shown that. This is the most I can ever recall seeing — Hope Fellowship in Palm City.
and we will do our best to fulfill these requests as they serve “United Way of Martin County is here to ensure that every
Martin County residents.” member of our community has the opportunity to be healthy,
According to United Way, there has been a greater educated and self-sufficient,” Diez said. “But we need the
call for help for programs that support homeless and support from the community to make it happen.”
transitional housing, offer mental health services and provide Donations to United Way of Martin County can be made
transportation. “Nonprofit organizations are faced with the by visiting www.UnitedWayMartin.org/donate.
same inflationary pressures and labor shortages as for-profit About United Way Of Martin County
companies but have the added challenge of meeting increased United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve
demand for services with declining revenue,” Diez said. lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
“They are looking to United Way to help fill that gap.” Since 1972, United Way has been working to create long-
Local volunteers who serve on United Way’s citizen review Volunteers visited the Humane Society of the Treasure term social change and provide support to Martin County
panels will make the tough recommendations about which Coast as part of the United Way of Martin County citizen residents by investing in programs that strive to promote good
organizations should receive grants. Still, it all comes down to review process. health, support financial stability and improve education.

Salvation Army from page 1 Feenstra of Port St. Lucie and For the Love of Paws of cents of every dollar the Salvation Army spends is used to
Fellsmere for their generous donations to the Salvation Army’s support those services in 5,000 communities nationwide. For
The crowd cheered as Blackmon recognized volunteers for food pantries. In addition, First United Methodist Church of more information, go to www.salvationarmyusa.org.
their total hours of service working for the Salvation Army Hobe Sound, Faith Congregational Church of Port St. Lucie,
in 2021. Top honors were given to Steve Casola, Kaylee Stuart Congregational Church, Palm City Presbyterian Church, Photos by Liz McKinley
Cumming and June Stires for their work in the Salvation Harbor Place of Port St. Lucie, Kiwanis Club of
Army food pantries, to Kenneth Marks for his work in the Okeechobee and First United Methodist Church of
soup kitchen, to Janice Belwood, Rosa Cruz and Roy Brooks Port St. Lucie were recognized for group bell ringing
for their work in the Family Stores, to Doreen Wilson for her in the Red Kettle campaign.
help with the Angel Tree program, and to Kathy Span, Charles For more information about the Salvation Army
Stracuzzi, Carl Gaiser and Donna Gaiser for their efforts in the of Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties and
Red Kettle campaign. Lori Baird of Port St. Lucie won 2021 how to volunteer, visit salvationarmymartin.org or
Volunteer of the Year. call (772) 288-1471.
Civic awards were presented to the Knit Wits of PGA About The Salvation Army
Village, Nathan Family Farms of Palm City, Jim and DD The Salvation Army, an evangelical part of the
universal Christian church established in London in
1865, has been supporting those in need in His name
without discrimination for more than 130 years in the
United States. Nearly 30 million Americans receive
assistance from The Salvation Army each year
through a broad array of social services that range
from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster
victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the Col. Dennis Strissel gathers with fellow Salvation Army officers Major
elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless Sarah Nelson and Lt. Mariah Deshazo and Martin Downs Golf Club
and opportunities for underprivileged children. 82 owner Stanley Campbell.

David Pittinos Steps Down After 20-Plus

Years As Big Brothers Big Sisters Of Palm

Mike Dewey of Palm City poses with Col. Dennis Strissel,
Corps Officer for The Salvation Army of Martin, St. Lucie Beach & Martin Counties Volunteer
and Okeechobee Counties.
By Jackie Holfelder When asked about his most challenging and rewarding part
of his service, he stated that it’s been seeing the Martin
David Pittinos transferred to Stuart County agency become financially viable and then expand
in 2001 in a career move and shortly to serve Palm Beach County youth, growing from formerly
thereafter attended the Taste of serving 199 children to more than 500 currently.
Martin County.
On behalf of everyone at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Palm
Within a year he was on the Board Beach & Martin Counties, thank you Dave for your decades
of Big Brothers Big Sisters of of service and commitment.
The Salvation Army recently held its Volunteer Appreciation Palm Beach & Martin Counties
Luncheon at Martin Downs Golf Club.
(BBBSPBMC), where he has
remained until now!
David Pittinos
The retired Certified Financial Planner, who has over 45
years in the investment business and has been a broker,
branch manager, and financial planner, fell in love with
the nonprofit and left a mark that will not be forgotten.
Although he held many positions on the board, Dave’s most
significant achievements were in fundraising, specifically
masterminding a BMW raffle which raised $25,000 over
a five-year period.

He also served on the Martin County Advisory Board and Alumni Board Chair Larry Green, Board Trustee Josh
the Finance Committee. Folds and David Pittinos
Retired Salvation Army Salvation Army Women’s
Advisory Board members Auxiliary members Joan In 2018, Dave received one of BBBSPBMC’s top accolades,
Jack and Char Meyering of Lewenhagen and Pat the Raising a Child Award, to honor his service and passion.
Palm City Northcutt, both of Palm City