President's Column - December 2025
Jerry McDaniel, President
One of my favorite nonprofits is World Central Kitchen (WCK). Founded in 2010 by well-known chef José Andrés, this organization operates worldwide and provides fresh, hot meals to people in need during natural disasters, wars, and humanitarian crises. WCK sets up mobile kitchens or partners with local restaurants and chefs to cook meals on site, using local ingredients whenever possible.
Your track club does an extraordinary job in its own right when it comes to philanthropy. While many of our members have some sense that net proceeds from certain races benefit other areas, a closer look at the details on our website under GWTC Gives Back to the Community reveals impressive results. Total giving in each of the last four years:
2021–22: $82,326
2022–23: $88,612
2023–24: $82,566
2024–25: $131,200
These donations go to nonprofits, research organizations, advocacy groups, schools, parks, and organizations that help facilitate our races. The money primarily comes from excess proceeds from sponsors, race entry fees, and direct contributions to organizations pre-designated by our race directors or included in the annual budget. All beneficiaries are ultimately approved by the Board.
Some of the more recognizable organizations that benefit from GWTC philanthropy include Second Harvest of the Big Bend, the Sickle Cell Foundation, Black Men’s Health, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Brehon Family Services, The Kearney Center, Oasis Center for Women and Girls, The Refuge House, and the Boys and Girls Club. The Club also designates $300 per year to be awarded to local schools to assist in implementing running programs. Some race proceeds are also directed to the Chenoweth Endowment Fund, which supports local individuals and teams that need financial assistance to attend competitions. For a comprehensive list of beneficiaries, click on any of the years in the link.
To that end, your track club was awarded Outstanding Community Organization for philanthropy last month on National Philanthropy Day (November 13, 2025) by the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. These awards are presented annually to a business, an organization, and an individual. Attending to accept on behalf of GWTC were Jeanne O’Kon, Peg Griffin, Lisa Unger, Bill Lott, and me. The event, held at Goodwood, was well attended and nicely done.
I wanted to highlight this accomplishment so that you know the meaningful, farreaching impact of running races and being a part of Gulf Winds Track Club. A big thank-you as well to our race directors!
FROM THE PRESIDENT
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