MISSION OF THE DIRT ROAD AWARDED THE PAUL E. REINHOLD COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD OF THE YEAR IN 2024
The Paul E. & Klare N. Reinhold Foundation, Inc., held its annual “Celebrate Clay” community service awards breakfast on April 23rd at the Thrasher-Horne Center, during which the Foundation distributed $100,000 and 47 community service awards to nonprofit organizations that provide services to Clay County residents.
Mission of the Dirt Road, located in Keystone Heights, captured the top honor this year, earning the $15,000 Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award. Mission of the Dirt Road is a ministry located in a rural low-income neighborhood in Keystone Heights. The ministry exists to make disciples through community development and to transform the 1,070-acre High Ridge neighborhood into a thriving community.
IN THE PHOTO: George M. Egan, Reinhold Foundation Trustee presents the “2024 Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award of the Year” to Pastor Carey Morford, Founder, Mission of the Dirt Road.
The Paul E. & Klare N. Reinhold Foundation, Inc., held its annual “Celebrate Clay” community service awards breakfast on April 23rd at the Thrasher-Horne Center, during which the Foundation distributed $100,000 and 47 community service awards to nonprofit organizations that provide services to Clay County residents.
Mission of the Dirt Road, located in Keystone Heights, captured the top honor this year, earning the $15,000 Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award. Mission of the Dirt Road is a ministry located in a rural low-income neighborhood in Keystone Heights. The ministry exists to make disciples through community development and to transform the 1,070-acre High Ridge neighborhood into a thriving community. The church operates as a community center at the entrance of the neighborhood and offers a wide range of outreach activities, education, and multifaceted support programs. Mission of the Dirt Road also serves as the champion for the High Ridge Initiative, a community development initiative approved by the Clay County Board of County Commissioners. Two other Keystone Heights based charities earned the top second and third prizes at the 2024 “Celebrate Clay” awards. McRae Elementary School’s Weekend Food Program and CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm each earned $7,000.
The Reinhold Foundation’s “Celebrate Clay” awards program honors the legacy of Paul and Klare Reinhold, and recognizes, rewards, and encourages community service within Clay County. The Foundation has awarded more than $1.26 million to Celebrate Clay award recipients in the past fifteen years.
A panel of five judges including three independent volunteers from the community and two Reinhold family representatives voted on the best projects of 2023 to determine the winners of the $100,000 in cash awards. This year’s judges were: Hon. Timothy R. Collins, (Ret.), Clay County Court Judge; Ms. Catrine Fredrikson, President & Founder, EZY Marketing; Mr. Jeff Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital; and Mr. Peter Hutchen and Rev. Neely P. Towe, Reinhold Family Members.
Applications were open to all non-profit groups active in the First Coast Area that provided services to Clay County residents in 2023. The 47 award recipients included Clay County and regionally based nonprofits, churches, and school programs.
Congratulations to all 2024 Celebrate Clay award recipients (listed below).
Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award ($15,000):
Mission of the Dirt Road
Judges' Choice Program Awards ($7,000 each):
CJ Acres Animal Rescue Farm
McRae Elementary School – Weekend Food Program
Jack Myers Executive Director Award* ($7,000):
Nancy Keating, Challenge Enterprises of North Florida
Peggy Bryan Volunteer of the Year Award* ($7,000):
Bonnie Bong, Penney Retirement Community
Judges' Choice Volunteer Awards* ($3,500 each):
Cathy Haralson, Waste Not Want Not
Bert Fields, Seamark Ranch
*Note: Volunteer and executive director awards recognize outstanding individuals for their community service. The cash awards are provided to the nominating nonprofit organization that they serve.
Special Judges' Awards ($2,000 each):
The Clothes Closet & Food Pantry
Feeding Northeast Florida
Food Bridge - Black Creek Methodist Church
The Island Theater
Jacksonville Children's Chorus
James Boys – Orange Park United Methodist Church
Orange Park Jr. High Black History Club
Project REACH Kids - Clay County District Schools
Teen Court of Clay County
The Way Free Medical Clinic
Category Awards ($1,000 each):
Arts & Culture
Concert on the Green
Civic Programs
Clay County Archives
Historical Society of Orange Park
Community Programs
Clay County Habitat for Humanity
Food Pantry of Green Cove Springs
Hope4Veterans
Hunger Fight
Mercy Support Services
Saved 2 Serve
Vineyard Transitional Center
Education & Literacy
ACE Mentor Program of NE Florida
Children's Home Society of Florida
Clay County Education Foundation
Environment & Animal Advocacy
Clay County Soil & Water Conservation
Health & Human Services
American Red Cross of NE Florida
BASCA
Clay Behavioral Health Center
Community Hospice & Palliative Care
Hope Therapy
Quigley House
Vision is Priceless
Senior Citizens' Programs
PET FL - Penney Farms
Shepherd's Center of Orange Park
Church Service Programs
St. Catherine's Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Accomplishments by Youth
Clay County Sheriff's Explorers Post 987
Service to Youth & Families
AMI Kids Clay
Clay County 4-H Association
Pace Center for Girls Clay
Take Stock in Children Clay YMCA
Young Life Clay County
The grant programs of The Paul E. & Klare N. Reinhold Foundation, Inc. support philanthropic and charitable organizations that work to improve the quality of life for Clay County residents.
IN THE PHOTO: George M. Egan, Reinhold Foundation Trustee presents the “2024 Paul E. Reinhold Community Service Award of the Year” to Pastor Carey Morford, Founder, Mission of the Dirt Road.
