FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. – Women United Flagler awarded $11,000 in community grants to local nonprofits serving Flagler County during its annual Meet & Greet held on Wednesday, November 5. The free event, open to women interested in learning more about Women United Flagler, took place at The Shape of Water Restaurant, 5047 N. Ocean Shore Drive in Palm Coast.
“This was an opportunity for our community to experience the impact of Women United Flagler’s initiatives and to meet others who share a passion for supporting our efforts to help Flagler County residents in need, especially the ALICE population,” said Haylie Allegra, Sr. Director of Business Development at Florida Blue and Social Chairperson for Women United Flagler.
Grant recipients included Vincent’s Clubhouse, Christmas Come True, Teens-In-Flight, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation’s Pink Army, and Flagler County Education Foundation. Each organization received funding to support programs that make a tangible difference in the lives of local residents.
In a touching show of partnership, the Pink Army also made a donation to the Women United Flagler Chapter during the evening’s event in the amount of $1,755, raised as part of the annual Pink Army 5K. The contribution underscored the spirit of collaboration and shared purpose among local organizations committed to helping Flagler County residents in need.
The evening was also a bittersweet one for Sheila Pillath, Vice President of Development for the Community Foundation of the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, who recently announced her retirement. Pillath shared that while she looks forward to spending more time with her aging mother and new granddaughter, she plans to remain engaged with Women United.
“Women United Flagler are our eyes and ears in the Flagler community because they are so well-connected to the nonprofits because they have such a caring heart. They are the ones saying to be mindful of the smaller nonprofits and are our connection to the smaller nonprofits to make sure they have the resources they need to serve the community,” shared Pillath.
“It is so incredible to see these ladies come tighter and through their caring hearts take care of the community, and that’s what Women United has been about since it’s inception,” she said.
“I admit I am having a lot of FOMO. There are so many seeds that have been planted and to not be here as a staff person to see all of these things bloom, I admit is tough. But I’m still in the community and I’ll still see things come to fruition.”
Adding to the evening’s charm, The Shape of Water Restaurant—known for its enchanting atmosphere featuring man-made waterfalls, caves, and a whimsical fairy garden—generously donated the use of its venue for the celebration.
“We were grateful to The Shape of Water Restaurant for donating their magical space to help us celebrate and shine a light on these nonprofits and the vital work they do for those in need throughout our community,” Allegra added.
Women United Flagler, an affiliate of the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, continues to empower women through philanthropy, volunteerism, and leadership, strengthening the community one act of kindness at a time.
