Constellation, a national energy and energy solutions provider, has dedicated $500,000 through the Jim and Tabitha Furyk Foundation as part of the inaugural Constellation FURYK & FRIENDS tournament presented by Circle K.
Constellation’s funding will support five North Florida charities: the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation, First Tee – North Florida, Blessings in a Backpack, Habitat for Humanity and St. Johns River Keeper.
“Giving back to our communities in a significant way is a core value shared by both Constellation and the Furyks, and that’s a big reason why our relationship has grown to what it is today,” said Mark Huston, president of Constellation’s National Retail Energy Business.
He added that “each of these organizations delivers a unique and tangible impact that we are proud to support.”
“Each of these five organizations plays a vital role in our community,” said Jim Furyk. “When you spend time and interact with those who directly benefit from the work of the charities, it makes us even more thankful for Constellation’s generous commitment and philanthropic leadership and what it means for our city.”
“We created our foundation to support local charities through project-specific funding and now we have an opportunity to serve more people and fund more projects,” said Tabitha Furyk. “We know the Jacksonville community is ready to help us make an impact by attending the golf tournament and the concert, which in turn will help support these great charities.”
Organizations that will receive support from this donation through the foundation include:
- Johns Riverkeeper — The vision of St. Johns Riverkeeper is to ensure a clean and healthy river for current and future generations.
- First Tee – North Florida — The mission statement of First Tee – North Florida is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. For more than 10 years, Jim Furyk has been an ambassador and honorary board member. The Jim & Tabitha Furyk Foundation provides financial assistance, supplies and advocacy of the organization’s programs.
- Blessings in a Backpack — Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals and resources to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children across America who might otherwise go hungry. The foundation has worked closely with Blessings in a Backpack for more than 10 years, supplying meals each Friday for many students over the school year. More than 75,000 meals a year have been provided to students in Duval and St. John’s county schools through the First Coast Blessings in a Backpack program.
- MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation — What started as a way for pro-tennis player MaliVai Washington to introduce urban youth to a sport he loved quickly blossomed into a comprehensive afterschool youth development program. Today, the MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation provides daily homework assistance, life skills and tennis instruction to Jacksonville’s low-income youth.
- Habitat for Humanity — HabiJax is one of the largest non-profit affordable housing builders in Duval County and is considered to be one of the most successful Habitat for Humanity affiliates in the United States, having provided homeownership opportunities and other housing services to more than 2,300 families. In addition, it is an advocate for affordable housing and fair housing policies and provides workshops and other training to help families improve their housing conditions.
