The St. Joe Community Foundation Matches Apalachicola Physical Therapy Grant for Student Scholarships

EASTPOINT, FLORIDA- September 27, 2004- Today Franklin County Superintendent of Schools, JoAnn Gander; Franklin County Take Stock in Children Liaison, Pamela Dodd; Tom Brocota of Apalachicola Physical Therapy (APT); and Pamela Selton, Executive Director of The St. Joe Community Foundation (STJCF) announced that Apalachicola Physical Therapy had met The St. Joe Community Foundation’s $4,000 challenge match to raise scholarship dollars for Franklin County’s “Take Stock in Children” Program.

Now in its third year, Franklin County’s program is part of a statewide initiative that, since 1995, has provided scholarships and mentors to over 7,000 Florida children.  A public-private partnership of state government, business, school systems, social service agencies, civic and private citizens to provide college tuition scholarships to deserving students throughout the state of Florida, “Take Stock in Children” provides  a comprehensive plan for success.  Participating students sign a contract prior to entering high school, pledging to maintain good grades and school attendance, to stay out of trouble and drug-free and to meet once a week with a mentor, who along with the program’s student advocate and parents provide long-term support to participants.

Upon graduating from high school, each student who has honored the “Take Stock in Children” commitment receives a full tuition scholarship to a Florida college or to a vocational/technical school.  Last year, through the community’s generosity, the program awarded 2 scholarships to students in Franklin County and raised over $22,000 toward scholarships.  Dodd, who oversees the program, acts as liaison between the school district, the statewide organization, and the Franklin County “Take Stock in Children” Leadership Council.  Members of the Council provide oversight of the program and also participate in the selection of the scholarship recipients, based on strict and impartial needs-based criteria.

“The Take Stock in Children Program is especially motivational because it spans the academic spectra,” said Gander. “The program offers incentives for students who apply themselves and remain drug and violence free.  We, the School District, are appreciative of The St. Joe Community Foundation for the interest they have shown and for the support they have given to our students.  We appreciate Mr. Tom Brocota of Apalachicola Physical Therapy and all other Franklin County Citizens for the matching donations they have made to our program.  Ms. Pam Dodd has done an outstanding job as director of this program. We feel that this is a wise investment in the future of Franklin County.”

“This grant is all about opportunity,” said Selton.  “Students tell us that without this scholarship they would never have been able to pursue their studies beyond high school. It’s clear from the way Franklin County residents are responding to the need that others agree that this is an important investment in the future.”

“We, Franklin County’s Take Stock in Children Program, are very thankful to The St. Joe Community Foundation for offering the program a second challenge match grant,” said Dodd.  “The first challenge match grant was met by Apalachicola State Bank for the 2003-2004 school year, and now, Apalachicola Physical Therapy has met this year’s challenge.  We are very thankful for the interest local businesses have shown.  Recognition must be given to Mr. Jimmy Gander, Take Stock in Children Leadership Council Chairman, for his continued efforts in securing contributions from local businesses and community members.”

“Apalachicola Physical Therapy is glad to have made this contribution, and we are hoping to do it each year,” said Brocota.

To become a sponsor or mentor, please contact Pamela Dodd at 670-1744.

About the Franklin County Take Stock in Children Leadership Council

The Franklin County Take Stock in Children Leadership Council is one of the strengths of the Take Stock program.  The Leadership Council ensures the long-term stability for the local program.  Through personal and institutional commitment, Leadership Council Members help garner support within Franklin County for Take Stock Scholars. Members include Jimmy Gander, School Board Member, District 4; Teresa Martin, School Board Member, District 3; Jo Ann Gander, Superintendent, Franklin  County Schools; Nick O’Grady, principal, Carrabelle High School; Frank Stephens, Principal, Apalachicola High School; Bevin Putnal, County Commissioner, District 5; and Pamela Dodd, Program Coordinator

About Apalachicola Physical Therapy

At Apalachicola Physical Therapy and Wellness Center you can find most anything.  Works by local artists Elizabeth Cook and photographer Richard Bickel are featured throughout the clinic.  The natural theme décor and art provide a comfortable and relaxing healthcare setting.  The community-based “Healthy Hearts” program offers seniors free exercise for their cardiovascular exercise statistics, proving that exercise keeps a strong heart.  These records are offered for research and the results are an incentive for participants to “keep on movin’.”  Coach Joe Hayes and the Apalachicola Sharks basketball team had first hand experience with the clinics sports medicine program while on their way to the state play-offs.  Never to be outdone, the locally acclaimed “Hot Flashes” took advantage of the clinic’s dance medicine specialty while on their way to the gold medal competition in Orlando. 

When Pam Nobles is not in her studio, she might be found working in the clinic’s “Back Room.”  Pam offers group and one-on –one exercise training that just can’t be beat for positive results.  The favorite duo, Chef Eddie and Father Roger are also available for daily advice and communiqué while “glidin’” through lunchtime in the cardio room.  Physical therapy treatment begins with a smile and an appointment from receptionist Teri Morgan.  Clinic manager, Stephanie Trevino and therapy assistant, Lisa Rowan keep the order and “flow” on schedule.  Clinic director, Tom Brocota, brings these folks together knowing that all are interested in improving themselves and helping others improve.  He promotes the clinic’s goal to combine injury and disease prevention with rehabilitation services.

Individual responsibility is a reality here, and a natural with the influx of alternative therapies.  While many insurance carriers are accepted for claims, a self-pay health maintenance program is popular due to its affordability and effectiveness.  A commitment to children is also evident in the clinic’s contracts with Florida’s Healthy Kids Program and Children’s Medical Services.  Not solely for clients, the clinic’s higher education affiliations recognize it as a classroom for future healthcare professionals.  These affiliations for clinical instruction include Emory University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program and Gulf Coast Community College’s Physical Therapy Assistant program.  Scholarship is also supported by the clinic at numerous levels including Florida’s Take Stock in Children program and Apalachicola’s Love Center Christian Academy.

As a master of physical therapy from Emory University’s School of Medicine and a graduate of George Washington University’s Exercise Science Program, Brocota received traditional and alternative medical training.  His manual therapy skills are honed with years of hands-on experience and continued education.  He practices “activity medicine” so one can maintain their daily living activities while undergoing treatment. As a certified athletic trainer with numerous professional teams and dance companies, he has also learned how to keep athletes and performers on their feet and pain-free throughout the year.  More importantly, he shows you how to move, sit and rest remaining pain-free.  If you want to learn more about yourself, how to take care of your future, and just feel better, Apalachicola Physical Therapy and Wellness Center is a good place for you.

About The St. Joe Community Foundation

The St. Joe Company (NYSE: JOE) created The St. Joe Community Foundation (STJCF) in 1999 to invest in community initiatives that pay long-term returns on the quality of life in Bay, Franklin, Gulf, and Walton counties.

Since its inception, STJCF has granted more than $3,500,000 to the region: over $1,100,000 in Bay County; $252,000 in Franklin County; $610,000 in Gulf County; over $1,100,000 in Walton County; and more than $448,000 for multi-county.

STJCF’s unique funding structure is based on payments from JOE that are a percentage of the proceeds from new sales in specific JOE communities.  Payments continue each time the properties are resold through deed covenants requiring a transfer fee to be paid to STJCF each time a property is subsequently sold.  In this way, JOE, and the property owners who live in our neighborhoods are partnering with the community for the betterment of the entire region.

Focused primarily on education, regional health care delivery, art and culture, parks and recreation, and community spirit, STJCF investments are based on building civic infrastructure and providing on-going improvements in the region through grants and initiatives that promote teaching and learning and create healthier communities.  To learn more about STJCF log on to www.stjcf. com