Friday, 13 November 2009 17:20 Last Updated on Friday, 13 November 2009 18:06 Written by Nick

Grant award from Ace Hardware will allow Lee County Salvation Army to renovate much needed transitional living facility

The Salvation Army of Lee and Hendry Counties recently received some great news. The agency is one of the recipients of a very special grant award from the Ace Hardware Foundation grant program entitled New Faces for Helpful Places. Since 2004, Ace Hardware, Ace’s “Helpful Hardware Man” Lou Manfredini and local communities have been working together to provide assistance to local “helpful places” across the country. The group provides the capital and resources needed for successful renovations and needed repairs on local facilities.

Ace tells us that “Every community has a helpful place – a local organization that contributes to the community’s overall welfare and community members' quality of life. Whether it’s an elementary school, community theater or home for disadvantaged kids, these helpful organizations hold a special place in the hearts of individuals who benefit from them. However, many times, these locations go for years without any renovations or repairs.”

Those awarded through this grant would receive not only a $5,000 check and $5,000 worth of Ace Hardware supplies, but also a group of volunteers from local Ace Hardware stores ready to work for a day to complete the needed renovations.

The Ace grant submission allowed applicants 100 words or less to explain why their place of service was in need of this generous gift. The following was prepared and submitted by Lee County’s Grant and Contract Specialist, Kristie N. Smith.

Our Helpful Place

Within my walls families are sheltered, fed, and given hope of a better tomorrow; a place where people without a home, employment or optimism find nutrients for the body and the soul. Within my walls, mothers somberly walk through my doors toting young children and their possessions in plastic bags. A place where those who are down-trodden are embraced, uplifted, and nurtured to break the cycles of poverty and addiction. I am The Salvation Army and just as I have rehabilitated many, the rooms that bring families together and my roof that provides them shelter needs renovations to continue restoring hope in those that need me the most.

Over 2,600 essays were submitted to the Ace Hardware Foundation for review. Of these, only 10 organizations are selected to receive the grant award. The Salvation Army of Lee and Hendry Counties received word on October 29, 2008 that they were one of the top ten organizations that would be awarded, the only submission awarded in the entire state of Florida.

With this generous gift, The Salvation Army of Lee and Hendry Counties will renovate the newest addition to their Transitional Housing Program, The Edison House. Used for years as office space, The Edison House will soon serve as a place where individuals who have successfully completed one of The Army’s residential programs and are now stably employed can live in while they get themselves back on their feet. While living in The Edison House, as with all transitional living facilities, the resident will pay a nominal rent allowing them to save money for down payments and security deposits for their own permanent housing.

Additional Transitional Housing facilities have been a main priority on the agency’s master plan for many years. There is significant need in Southwest Florida for such resources as community members are faced with rising unemployment and a waning economy. However, the repairs needed on this building were extensive and would have taken years for The Army to complete due to significant budgetary constraints and lack of resources.

Through the receipt of this grant and the hard working staff, The Salvation Army of Lee and Hendry Counties will be able to continue serving those in need in our community through the additional Transitional Housing facility that will soon be available. “We are truly blessed and humbled by this extraordinary gift” said Major Art Penhale, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army of Lee and Hendry Counties. “This will allow us to add much needed beds to our Transitional Living Program and serve many more families in need every year.”

The Salvation Army…making a difference one life at a time.