ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It was a historic day for CFY.
For the first time, Clearwater for Youth has exceeded more than $100,000 in its fourth cycle of giving, with a distribution of $106,348. This money will support 18 different youth athletic program requests.
The check was presented at Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill Thursday morning, alongside St. Pete Police Chief Tony Holloway and his department. Both are new CFY partners and are part of the reason for the continued growth of the program.
Holloway, who is a former member of the CFY Board of Trustees, said, "I have always wanted to bring CFY's passion and support to the youth of St. Petersburg. Our goal is to ensure every child has access to high-quality programming, regardless of their financial situation. It's important that all our youth have the opportunity to learn teamwork, benefit from great mentors and role models, and develop essential life skills that will support them throughout their lives."
As CFY has expanded into South Pinellas County, nearly $50,000 of this distribution has been in the St. Petersburg area alone. Each dollar donated has assisted in providing valuable support for eight programs in St. Petersburg/South County. In these programs, four are football & cheer programs with access being open to 35% of registered children by paying all or a portion of their registration fees.
CFY also provides safety equipment (helmets and shoulder pads) and uniforms. Included in the distribution of $106,348, CFY is providing Facility Enhancement Grants for the first time. These grants include two little league programs in the county totaling almost $30,000 to support batting cages for young softball players and scoreboards for an entire complex in Oldsmar and Dunedin, respectively.
“CFY’s grant program funds thousands of participant registration fees, supports the purchase of equipment upgrades and safety measures and assists qualified athletes striving to reach higher levels of competition on a regional/national level. This program offers community-based support to organizations who work with the under-served youth,” CFY Chairman Fred Miller said.
Established in 1972, CFY supports youth athletics programs and organizations with an emphasis on skill-building activities, reaching more than 15,000 Pinellas County youth annually and expanding. Funding efforts are aimed at providing the children of Pinellas County the opportunity to participate in their chosen activity unhindered by costs.
CFY’s Endowment allows that every dollar donated goes 100% to supporting a child. CFY continues to grow as it focuses on three core areas: Youth Athletics Grants, Education and Water Safety.
CFY is currently funding 43 programs throughout Pinellas County and is on path to give $1 million this year.
For more information, you can visit www.cfypinellas.org.