Luxury residential real estate brokerage firm Premier Sotheby’s International Realty is giving back to communities along Florida’s Gulf Coast and in the Carolinas through a new charitable foundation, The Premier Community Foundation. Company-elected regional advisory committees will review requests on a quarterly basis and select the appropriate award grants, sponsorships, donations or other forms of support. More information about The Premier Community Foundation, including how to apply for funding, can be found at thepremiercommunityfoundationinc.com or by calling 844-PCF-GIVE (844-723-4483).

 

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Publix Super Markets Charities has awarded several grants totaling $69,000 to area organizations, including $30,000 to Habitat for Humanity Sarasota to be used for rehabilitation or construction of a single-family home, $25,000 to the Asolo Repertory Theatre for its education programs, and $14,000 to the Project Learn program at the Boys & Girls Club at Harllee Middle School.

 

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The Palmetto-based law firm of Kallins, Little & Delgado has awarded 12 Manatee County high school graduating seniors $16,000 in scholarship money. Jimmy Delgado called these students the "cream of the crop" of the Class of 2014, which was selected from 120 applicants. One $3,000 scholarship, two $2,000 scholarships and nine $1,000 scholarships were awarded. Since 2006, the law firm has granted $131,000 to 91 exceptional Manatee County high school students.

 

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Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast received a $5,000 grant from the Tampa Bay Rays for the Sports Buddies Program in Charlotte County. In the Sports Buddies Program mentors and children meet twice a month to participate in or attend a sporting event. This initiative is designed to increase recruitment of men as mentors.

 

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Children First has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to purchase age-appropriate playground equipment for Early Head Start programs at Helen R. Payne & Ross sites.