SECO Energy Foundation Awards $425,594 in Fourth Quarter Grants

SUMTERVILLE, Fla. – The SECO Energy Foundation awarded 28 grants totaling $425,594 during its fourth-quarter 2026 grant cycle. The grants support nonprofit organizations serving communities throughout SECO Energy’s seven-county service territory.

Fourth-quarter grant recipients include:

• The Hospice of Marion County Foundation, Inc. – $25,000: Providing food, kitchen supplies and other direct-care needs for the Empath Dementia Adult Day Center serving individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

• VeteransPlus – $25,000: Providing critical home repairs and accessibility modifications to help senior veterans throughout SECO Energy’s service territory remain safely and independently in their homes.

• Empowered of Central Florida, LLC – $5,000: Establishing Rock Rooms in Levy County middle and high schools to provide students with clothing, hygiene products, food, school supplies and other basic necessities.

• Bridle Up Hope Marion County – $5,000: Completing a classroom for a horse-based life skills and leadership program serving youth in Marion County.

• The Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties, Inc. – $5,000: Providing STEM teaching materials and hands-on learning resources for early childhood educators serving Pasco and Hernando counties.

• Saving Mercy – $5,000: Providing emergency support to help formerly homeless residents maintain stable housing.

• Haven of Lake & Sumter Counties, Inc. – $25,000: Replacing beds and mattresses and completing water-damage repairs at an emergency shelter serving women and children escaping domestic violence.

• Advocacy Resource Center Marion, Inc. – The Arc Marion – $25,000: Creating an inclusive recreation center with adaptive gaming equipment, televisions and furnishings for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Sunrise Community, Inc. – $24,674: Purchasing commercial kitchen equipment for an assisted living residence serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

• Golden Triangle Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8087 – $5,000: Supporting construction of an enclosed patio and gathering space for veteran services, community programs and outreach activities.

• Wings of Faith Fellowship Operation Compassion Food Bank – $5,000: Purchasing nutritious food for distribution to families in rural and underserved Marion County communities.

• Citrus United Basket, Inc. – $5,000: Providing emergency utility assistance to Citrus County households experiencing financial hardship.

• Charity Across South Lake, Inc. – $5,000: Providing gifts and holiday assistance for children and families in need throughout South Lake County.

• St. Vincent de Paul CARES – $25,000: Improving safety and security at Ozanam Village IV, a permanent supportive housing community serving vulnerable individuals and families in Pasco County.

• Arnette House – $21,000: Renovating bathrooms in residential group homes serving youth ages 11 to 17 in long-term foster care.

• The Salvation Army, Ocala Corps – $20,000: Purchasing commercial washers, dryers, an ice machine and freezer for the Center of Hope emergency shelter in Marion County.

• United Way of Marion County – $14,000: Supporting family financial literacy and youth reading programs with meals, books and literacy activities.

• United Way of Citrus County – $25,000: Expanding financial literacy programs for adults and teens through educational materials, technology and hands-on learning resources.

• Angel Flight Southeast – $5,000: Supporting mission-coordination software used to arrange free air transportation for patients traveling to specialized medical care.

• Disability Achievement Center – $20,000: Providing assistive equipment, accessibility modifications and repairs to help Pasco County residents with disabilities remain independent.

• YMCA of Central Florida – $20,250: Providing food, activity supplies and student incentives for after-school programs at Gray, Mount Dora and Umatilla middle schools.

• Tri-County Women Veterans, Inc. – $5,000: Supporting the annual Women Veterans Education Expo connecting women veterans with education, healthcare, benefits and community resources.

• E-Nini-Hassee – $22,070: Purchasing industrial washing machines to support hygiene, daily living skills and residential programming for girls participating in therapeutic services.

• Central Florida Council, Scouting America – $25,000: Replacing aging electrical panels and related components at Camp La-No-Che to improve safety and electrical reliability.

• Thrive Clermont – $3,600: Supporting workshops and hands-on activities that teach teens practical skills for successfully transitioning into adulthood.

• Special Olympics Florida, Inc. – $25,000: Providing adaptive equipment, uniforms, health materials and program supplies for year-round programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities throughout SECO Energy’s service territory.

• Lake County Sheriff’s Office – $25,000: Implementing a tracking bracelet system to help quickly locate individuals with dementia, autism and other conditions who may wander or become missing.

• Sumter County School District – $5,000: Providing equipment, components and project materials for middle and high school STEM and Career and Technical Education programs.

The SECO Energy Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting local charitable initiatives. The grants awarded by the Foundation are funded by SECO Energy members who round up their monthly electric bills. The average member contribution is approximately 50 cents per month, demonstrating the strength in numbers when a community unites. The Foundation distributes the funds through a quarterly grant process to support health and human services, veterans, public safety, STEM, energy, environmentalism and education. For more information, visit www.SECOFoundation.org.