‘Tis the Season for Giving in 2023
At Uncle Matt’s Organic, we’re proud of our mission to grow a healthier generation by supporting local organizations who make a difference in our community. It’s a commitment we take seriously, and this was our second year of featuring local organizations in the Clermont and greater Orlando area on the back labels of our 52oz organic orange juice bottles. Through this ongoing initiative, we donate a portion of all organic orange juice sales to the featured charity each quarter. It is our hope that providing national exposure through our retailer distribution gives wider recognition to these local charities that have a positive impact in our home community.
We’re thrilled with the contributions we’ve made to these deserving foundations this year:
Spring 2023: Kid’s Central, Inc.
Kids Central, Inc. is a lead nonprofit agency focused on preventing child abuse in Central Florida counties. In this area, over 1,600 children are no longer living with a parent or guardian due to unsafe living circumstances such as neglect, trauma or abuse. The needs are great of these at-risk children, and Kids Central is working diligently to protect their welfare in our local community. The organization has three main focuses: protecting children, supporting families and engaging communities. Through a combination of these initiatives, Kids Central leads several programs to support these families. From fostering and adopting, to family resources for expectant mothers, infants, young adults and caregivers, Kids Central prioritizes any action that contributes to children’s health and safety.
Summer 2023: Special Hearts Farm
Special Hearts Farm is dedicated to providing meaningful farming and gardening experiences for individuals with disabilities and unique abilities. Through a partnership with Orange County Public Schools in Central Florida, the organization works to help these individuals transition from school to employment. With farming and gardening at the heart of their mission, Special Hearts Farm helps these adults find health and happiness in meaningful job opportunities. From hosting events on the farm, group yoga classes, creating and selling crafts and more, this organization is doing their part to create positive experiences to support these adults in our community.
Fall 2023: Camp Boggy Creek
Camp Boggy Creek provides life-changing camp experiences for children with serious medical conditions. Their serene 232-acre facility features horse stables, an archery range, fishing and boating pond, a theater, a mini golf course, an enormous pool and a state-of-the-art medical facility to ensure the safety of all campers as they experience these unique camp opportunities. When campers with serious medical illnesses come to Camp Boggy Creek, they are safe, loved, and respected. The intentional camp programming provides campers with a fun-filled week of activities while also helping create life-long friendships with other campers with similar illnesses.
Winter 2023: Eight Waves’ Books for Babies
Eight Waves’ Books for Babies program is designed to help children excel in school –– and beyond –– by providing early access to books. A staggering number of families have no books in their homes. Many children who don’t have early exposure to books and reading later struggle with literacy and grade level reading proficiency. Reading is foundational, and Eight Waves Books for Babies initiative offers Little Libraries in Central Florida neighborhoods, access to literacy programs for parents and toddlers and provides books for classrooms in these local communities. (The donation to Eight Waves will be made to the organization in early 2024)
Winter – Spring 2024 (Upcoming): Matthew’s Hope
Matthew’s Hope is a non-profit, independent ministry committed to supporting the needs of the homeless population in parts of Central Florida. Fully funded by donations from the local community, this organization does more than just offer shelter and a food pantry to those in need. Inspired by the book of Matthew (25:25-40), the goal of Matthew’s Hope is to provide a wide range of resources for the homeless to help them prosper beyond their current circumstances. Their offerings include hygienic services like laundry and haircuts, transportation to and from medical appointments, transitional housing for those enrolled in their Moving Forward Program and spiritual and educational support. Matthew’s Hope is on a mission to foster growth so that those who have found themselves in undesirable and unfortunate living and employment situations can lead a successful future.
Other Outreach
In addition to our efforts to bring awareness and monetary donations to our quarterly featured charities, the Uncle Matt’s team also provided donations and volunteer work to many local area schools and organizations throughout the year:
- To celebrate Earth Month in April, the Uncle Matt’s team visited a local elementary school in Clermont, Florida where we helped students build an edible organic garden.
- Uncle Matt’s contributed over $1000 worth of items to Tavares Middle School’s first food and clothing locker. This space is designed to be a judgment-free place where kids can feel comfortable getting snacks, toiletries and clothing.
- Uncle Matt’s donated approximately $550 to the Leesburg Football Program to be used towards new football equipment.
- Uncle Matt’s gave $500 to the Minneola School Band to help fund new instruments for the students.
- Uncle Matt’s made a $250 contribution to South Lake County’s FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) chapter for a pizza party.
- We’re proud to have donated cases of organic orange juice to Gray Middle School to be enjoyed during their three honor roll breakfasts throughout the year.
- Uncle Matt’s provided organic juice for the Lake County Teacher Appreciation Breakfast serving over 600 teachers this year.
- In addition to featuring Special Hearts Farm on our bottle label, we also offered monetary support to help this organization replant their garden.
- For this year’s holiday volunteer activity, the Uncle Matt’s Team helped out Charities Across South Lake as Santa’s Shack helpers. The toy shack provides gifts to over 4500 kids in need in Lake County during the holidays.
Through this combination of monetary gifts, physically donated items and volunteer hours, the Uncle Matt’s Organic team is proud to have provided around $42,000 worth of support to charities and school organizations making a true difference in our community and surrounding areas in 2023. It’s a privilege to give back year-round, and we look forward to another year of opportunities to grow healthier generations in 2024.
