United Way Women's Initiative Flagler Receives Agency Champion Award

PALM COAST, Fla. - Nov. 23, 2016 - PRLog -- The United Way Women's Initiative is pleased to announce that the group has received an Agency Champion award at the AFP (Association of Fundraising Professionals) Volusia/Flagler Chapter awards luncheon this past Friday.

The group was nominated by the FCEF (Flagler County Education Foundation) for their efforts to help launch the ERAU (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University) Aviation Lab at Flagler Palm Coast High School this past April. The Women's Initiative donated $5,000 and the FCEF was able to provide a matching grant.

"When we found out that the FCEF would match a $5,000 donation from our organization, our board of directors voted in support of the grant immediately," said Linda Mahran, the United Way Women's Initiative Treasurer. The decision was aligned with one of the group's goals - to help children in Flagler County. It would also help women by opening aviation to a greater diversity of students, exposing more women to the field.

Part of its Classroom to Careers initiative, The Hangar is an aviation lab that dovetails with the school's aeronautics flagship program, bringing together multiple aspects of the field to augment students' education.

The room is fitted with two flight simulators and wind tunnels from ERAU, as well as special mobile furniture that enhances student collaboration, and technology that allows students to connect to university classes and to contact aeronautics companies via Skype.

Made possible by a state grant to the university, students can earn up to 15 college credits through the program, which offers a significant cost savings.

The United Way Women's Initiative is an affinity group of United Way that connects local women to come together to create long-term change in the lives of women and children. For more information and for details on upcoming events and how you can help, visit their website at www.unitedwayvfc.org.

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Pictured L to R front row: Linda Mahran - United Way Women's Initiative Treasurer, Hilary Stevens - ERAU, Amanda Cole, FPC student in ERAU dual enrollment program, Maureen Walsh - United Way Women's Initiative Vice President, Lynette Shott – Flagler Schools, Jacob Oliva - Flagler Schools Superintendent, and Cindy Dalecki - United Way Women's Initiative board member. L to R back row: Becca Bower TSIC program manager, Deborah Williams - Flagler County Education Foundation, and Joanne Tavzel - United Way Women's Initiative board member.