Polk Education Foundation Awarded $80,000 from the Mabel Schaefer Legacy Grant through GiveWell Community Foundation to Expand AmeriCorps Polk Reads Literacy Initiative
Polk Education Foundation has been awarded an $80,000 grant from GiveWell Community Foundation in honor of Mabel Schaefer’s legacy. This investment will allow the Polk Education Foundation AmeriCorps Polk Reads program to pilot Building Blocks Literacy: an expansion beyond its traditional Polk County Public Schools kindergarten through 3rd-grade focus that will begin serving 4th - and 5th -grade students over the next two years. This pilot will help determine how well upper-elementary students
Florida SBDC at USF Announces 2026 Regional Performance and Small Business Award Winners
TAMPA(May 14, 2026) - The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida (USF) announced its 2026 performance and small business award winners on May 13, 2026, during the 2026 Florida SBDC at USF Annual Business Awards held at USF’s Phyllis P. Marshall Student Center. Winners are now eligible for Florida SBDC Network state awards. State award winners will be announced at the Network’s Annual Conference, held in Port Charlotte this coming August.During the awards, attendees
SUNCOAST CREDIT UNION INVESTS $50,000 IN POLK EDUCATION FOUNDATION TO BENEFIT POLK COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS STUDENT SUCCESS
The Polk Education Foundation received a generous $50,000 investment from Suncoast Credit Union, strengthening multiple programs and initiatives that directly support students, teachers, and schools across Polk County. Suncoast Credit Union awarded a major gift of $25,000 to purchase much-needed school supplies for the Free Teacher Market, helping Erase the Need for students and classrooms. Teachers shop the resource store at no cost and fill an orange Suncoast Credit Union tote with supplies that
Wawa Summer Fun Days Back in 2026 with 8 Days of Complimentary Admission
Lake Wales, FL - Wawa and Bok Tower Gardens are teaming up again to offer Wawa Summer Fun Days featuring complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of May through August.The 2025 Wawa Summer Fun Days will be May 28-29, June 25-26, July 30-31, and August 27-28.Pre-registration is requested for this complimentary offer. Visitors can register at https://boktowergardens.org/wawa-summer-fun-days-2026/ The extremely popular seek & find game "Where's Wally" will be back again adding another level
AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales earn national recognition for promoting or
Local donors help save and enhance dozens of lives across Florida DAVENPORT, Fla. (Monday, May 04, 2026) -- AdventHealth Heart of Florida in Davenport and AdventHealth Lake Wales have received national recognition for their efforts to help more people receive lifesaving and life enhancing organ, eye and tissue transplants through the DoNation Campaign. Behind this recognition are patients and families whose lives have been changed by the generosity of donors in the community. According to LifeLink of
Mabel Schaefer’s Inspiring Legacy Story Grants to local nonprofits in Polk and Highlands counties honor Mabel Schaefer’s legacy
LAKELAND, FL (April 30, 2026) – What does it mean to leave a legacy? A lifetime of legacy is not measured simply in years, but in the values, compassion, and inspiration a person leaves behind. Mabel Schaefer had a profound influence on many during her lifetime and is still impacting lives today. Mabel lived a full and remarkable century, guided by her steadfast faith and a deep commitment to others throughout her 100 years. As an educator, she devoted herself to her students, believing that education
AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales open applications for 2026 community impact grant
Click Here: 2026 Community Impact Grant Eligibility Requirements DAVENPORT, Fla. (Friday, March 05, 2026) -- AdventHealth Heart of Florida and AdventHealth Lake Wales have opened the application period for the 2026 Community Impact Grant, an initiative designed to expand community health programs and strengthen access to whole‑person care throughout Polk County. Local nonprofit and community-based organizations are invited to apply for one-year grant funding aimed at addressing some of the area’s most
