Eleven nonprofit organizations serving Charlotte County residents were the recipients of the Charlotte Community Foundation’s 2012 grant awards totaling over $52,000.

Foundation chairman Brian Presley and grants advisory council chairman Denis Lowry were scheduled to present the checks at a special recognition program today at the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club.

Lowry, in recognizing the winners of this year’s grant cycle, reviewed the foundation’s criteria for the successful proposals, emphasizing the need for each project to make a difference for Charlotte County residents. Presley indicated it is the Community Foundation’s privilege to make an investment in the improvement in our quality of life through philanthropy in Charlotte County.

Grants went to:

• Animal Welfare League, $1,995 for the purchase of a veterinarian’s IV infusion pump.

• Boys and Girls Clubs of Charlotte County, $7,500 to support the purchase of materials to expand the robotics program to more locations.

• Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, $5,400 for the purchase of 64 mattresses for the Safe House Emergency Homeless Shelter.

• Charlotte Local Education Foundation, $5,105 for support of a guitar lab at Port Charlotte Middle School.

• Charlotte Players, $2,750 to support the purchase of a theater lighting system with console and eight portable light fixtures.

• Edgewater United Methodist Church, $3,382 to support the purchase of a commercial refrigerator and freezer for the community food pantry.

• Hearing Impaired Persons Inc., $2,700 to support the purchase of computers and a projector for seminars and office support.

• Peace River Wildlife Center, $7,000 for the purchase and installation of new fencing and signage.

• Riding Star Ranch, $5,000 to support construction of emergency stalls for sick or injured horses.

• TEAM Punta Gorda, $4,900 the installation of tree markers and info-panels for “Parks that Teach” in the “Ring around the City.”

• Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic, $6,849 for the purchase and installation of replacement pharmacy shelving, counters and cabinets.

The Charlotte Community Foundation has contributed over $2.5 million in grants and gifts since its inception in 1995 to benefit the residents of Charlotte County.

For information on the foundation or its grants program, visit www.charlottecommunity-foundation.org, or contact Gregory C. Bobonich at 941-637-0077, or email ccf@charlottecommunity-
foundation.org.