Source: Manatee County School District
Superintendent Wysong joined School Board Vice-Chair Cindy Spray and Board Member Mary Foreman at the Azinger Family Compassion Center in Palmetto, Florida.
They went behind-the-scenes to learn how two non-profit organizations are working together to answer the call to help children and struggling families in our community.
One More Child is a faith-based group offering prevention services, food, clothing and household items to help families and make them stronger.
Moses VanNort is the Compassion Director and led the tour.
Guardian Angels of Southwest Florida is dedicated to providing safe homes for families of foster children.
Tim Boyd is the Director and was passionate about sharing their mission. Vice-Chair Cindy Spray also sits on the board of Guardian Angels of SWFL.
During Tuesday’s tour of the 12,000-square-foot campus, Dr. Wysong and his team witnessed the sorting and processing of donations, the vast amount of food and household items available to foster families and the new construction of a six-bedroom home for a family who fosters children, teens and siblings.
The center opened in 2021, and during the first year of impact they served 1.7 million meals, distributed nearly $4 million worth of items such as diapers, cleaning supplies and furniture, to 85 local non-profits, churches and community partners.
Their mission is to provide life-changing resources for foster children, hungry children, trafficked children, single moms and struggling families in Manatee County.
In the wake of Hurricane Ian, the Azinger Family Compassion Center reached beyond our community and sent approximately 25 semi-truckloads of supplies to the hardest hit areas of Southwest Florida.
The center is named after Bradenton resident and 12-time PGA golf champion, Paul Azinger, and his wife, Toni, who are generous supporters of the cause.
