Local nonprofits and sanctuary introduce programs, request council support during Leroy Boyd Forum

During the Leroy Boyd Forum, the city’s public-comment period, three community speakers described local programs and requests for council support.

Kristea Hawkins, speaking for Northwest Florida Community Outreach, asked the council for contingency funding to continue the organization's work. "We currently service over 450 households per month," Hawkins said, and described three program areas: a youth mentoring program, the "SOS" program supporting seniors, and a food pantry now called the Harvest of Hope Community Market. Hawkins said the group operates a main location on North Davis Highway and additional offices, and identified the Davis Highway address as 9191 North Davis Highway.

Keith Wilkins, speaking on behalf of the Wildlife Sanctuary of Northwest Florida, said the sanctuary had a gap in fundraising after the passing of a longtime executive director and introduced Leah Schultz as the sanctuary's new development coordinator. Wilkins gave the sanctuary's address as 105 North S Street, behind the city's fire training facility off Navy Boulevard.

Leah Schultz said the sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) that treats wildlife and conducts education: "We're a 501 c 3 non profit that does somewhere between 3 to 4,000 wildlife patients every single year. Our goal is to re release all those to the community. We also serviced last year year, we did over a 166,000 residents through our door, for different educational endeavors," she said.

Council members thanked the speakers and suggested using the city website email address for follow-up. No formal funding decision or council action was taken at the meeting on the nonprofit requests.