December 11, 2006

ISSUE 1144

 

FOUNDATION’S $25,000 GIFT TO RCMA WILL SPONSOR 100 CHILDREN FOR ONE YEAR

 

The FFVA Research & Education Foundation, long a supporter of the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, has given RCMA $25,000 to sponsor 100 children for the entire school year.

RCMA provides child care and early education for more than 7,000 children of migrant farm workers and rural, low-income families.

“Support of this magnitude is truly a blessing for our children and their families,” said Barbara Mainster, RCMA executive director.

Florida agriculture was among the earliest supporters of RCMA, which was established in 1965 in the Redlands farming area of southern Miami-Dade County to provide safe, nurturing surroundings for children while their parents worked in the fields. Florida agribusiness is represented on the RCMA board of directors, including FFVA President Mike Stuart and former FFVA President George Sorn.

From three initial centers in the Homestead-Florida City area, RCMA today operates more than 70 centers, including two charter schools, in rural Florida. In the 2005-06 season, RCMA served 7,544 children in 20 counties.

Based in Immokalee, RCMA is funded by local, state and federal grants as well as the generosity of businesses, individuals, the United Way and other organizations. RCMA relies heavily on charitable contributions to draw down government grants and can generate $16 for every $1 donated.