The Savannah Harbor Foundation is delighted to announce that it presented over $52,000 at a small gathering of business and non-profit leaders March 12, 2020 inside The Holiday Inn Express Downtown-Historic Savannah. The 2020 recipients included the Empty Stocking Fund, P.A.C.K., Urban Hope, Ronald McDonald, HUGS, 2021 Teacher of the Year, Greenbriar Children's Center, A Place to Dream, Blessings in a Bookbag, 200 Club of Coastal Empire, Xcel Strategies, Voice Experience, Mark & Lee Spadoni - Tourism Leadership Council Scholarship Fund.
 
Current Foundation President, Dan Pavlin, remarked, “We do this because we live in a great country and a great city. We have all the opportunity in the world. There are people around us that can use a helping hand and we want to be that shining light for them.”
 
The Savannah Harbor Foundation’s mission is to organize and promote community events with the aim of raising money for youth and family charities serving the greater Savannah area. The Savannah Harbor Foundation was excited to present details on its annual fundraising efforts in 2020 to include the annual Coke Kids Classic Golf Tournament, Gourmet Seafood & Spirits Festival, Wheels in Savannah, Polo 4 Heroes, the Boat Parade of Lights and other community initiatives.  These events are made possible by attendees and sponsors. Parties interested in supporting these events are encouraged to visit https://www.savannahharborfoundation.com/annual-giving.html.
 
Founder and president emeritus of the foundation, Mark Spadoni, shared his excitement for changing the trajectory of the organization commenting, "2020 will be a banner year for us as we do more events and activities on the historic district side of the river for even more of the community to enjoy."

The foundation then took a moment to share details on a new initiative designed to engage students and adults called “Raising Savannah – A Charity Fast Pitch Competition”. This innovative program invites existing 501(c)3 organizations to create a “pitch” for a new charitable initiative that is not yet fully funded. Students from Woodville Tompkins High School will also take part in a similar contest designed to create a new fundraiser for the school. While dates will be changing due to the current health crisis, details on the adult competition are available at www.SavannahHarborFoundation.com/raisingsavannah.
 
Jay Thompson of Xcel Strategies remarked, “We are here to celebrate what the Savannah Harbor Foundation is doing in the community - Helping organizations that are caring for people.”

Bill Sorochak, “Without the monies that we get here we can’t do the things we do 24/7, 365 for the most critical cases in Savannah.”