ROCKFORD, IL – The Blazer Foundation Board of Directors approved grants for the 2016 year totaling over $815,000 to agencies in the Rockford, Illinois region. Some of the organizations receiving grants include the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Barbara Olson Center of Hope, Discovery Center, Fish-abled Foundation, Gigi’s Playhouse of Rockford, Lifescape Community Services, Milestone Dental Clinic, RAMP, Rockford Park District, Rockford Rescue Mission, Special Olympics Illinois, Walter Lawson Children’s Home, and YMCA of Rock River Valley.
The Blazer Foundation Board is proud to support these local organizations and many other organizations who help carry forth the mission of the Blazer Foundation, to improve the lives of individuals with mental or physical disabilities and to help level the playing field so all people have the opportunity to live life to the best of their abilities. Pat Shaw, Chairman of the Board, stated “Thank you to the organizations who work so tirelessly and are so committed to helping support people with disabilities. Our community is a better place because of the work you do.”
The Blazer Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation established by Cedric Blazer in 1986. Its mission is to support local initiatives in research and development as well as programs designed to directly support those individuals with disabilities.