PALM COAST, Fla. – An afternoon filled with gratitude, purpose, and community spirit defined the Grand Haven Woman’s Club’s annual donation event, where local organizations gathered to celebrate the impact of collective giving across Flagler County.
“On behalf of the Grand Haven Woman’s Club, I want to thank you so much for coming this afternoon. We really do appreciate it,” said Laura McBride, chair of communications. “The turnout was just really, really unexpected and very, very pleasing.”
The event served not only as a presentation of funds, delivering $88,687 to community organizations like Provision Packs, the Flagler County Education Foundation, and Our Father’s Table, but as a moment to reflect on the deeper meaning behind the club’s mission.
“We’re excited to take this opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate something truly meaningful—the impact we made while working together,” McBride shared. “Each of you plays a role in something much bigger than any one individual.”
That theme of unity carried throughout the program, emphasizing that lasting change comes from consistent effort. “Making the world a better place—it doesn’t happen all at once. It happens consistently over time,” she said. “Through your steady, ongoing commitment to this community, that’s exactly what all of us in this room represent.”
Club president Awilda Hamilton echoed that sentiment, highlighting the importance of collaboration. “Today, we celebrate what happens when generosity meets purpose,” she said. “Your impact affects us as a community. We’re so proud to have you a part of this important work.”
Hamilton described the club’s contributions not simply as charitable gifts, but as strategic investments. “The funds we’re presenting today are investments, not donations,” she explained. “We are not just giving financial contributions—we’re investing in people, in progress, and a healthier, brighter, stronger future.”
She emphasized the concept of synergy as the driving force behind the event’s success. “What makes our support powerful is synergy—when committed organizations come together and impact us all in greater ways than we could on our own,” Hamilton said. “Together we have made the greater Flagler County area a better place to live and raise families.”
For the nonprofit organizations in attendance, those investments are transformative.
Carmen Gray of Rise Above Violence shared how the funding will expand her organization’s reach. “Contributions help us expand our program into a more digital reach where we’re able to reach more students,” she said. “This is a digital age, so engagement has to be strong enough to keep them coming back and completing the program.”
Her program focuses on emotional resilience, leadership, and life skills—going beyond state requirements. “The state of Florida only requires five hours of learning, but our students get a comprehensive 12 hours plus,” Gray explained. “They’re not just learning—they’re becoming more prepared in every aspect of life.”
For Gray, the financial support directly translates into greater impact. “Oh my God, yes,” she said when asked if donations make a difference. “I funded everything out of pocket at first, which limited me to helping only a handful of students at a time. What this allows me to do is broaden that platform.”
Terri Belletto, executive director of the Flagler Free Clinic, underscored the long-term importance of the club’s generosity. “These donations mean the world to us—they are what sustain our mission,” she said. “The Grand Haven Woman’s Club has been supporting us for all the years I’ve been there, which is 12 years. It’s made a huge difference.”
