McDonald’s owners and operators across the state of Florida and South Georgia selected 28 deserving educators and individuals who represent programs and organizations that fuel the imagination, education and growth of students, as recipients of a Golden Grant. $100,000 is being allocated to various local teachers and organizations to positively impact the lives of thousands of students.
“The hard work of teachers and community leaders on behalf of our students is immensely appreciated. The Golden Grants program is a great opportunity to support educators that impact our next generation of leaders,” said Ania Nitzsche, president of the Central Florida Business Unit. “Our youth are vital to the pulse of our communities and we recognize the importance of supporting education in our neighborhoods.”
This year, 11 Golden Grants were awarded based on creativity, innovation, need and hands-on application of projects in Central Florida. The winners are:
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$10,000 – Florence Katzenberger, Helping Our Homeless, Leesburg Elementary School
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$10,000- Robin D. Jaques, Bunnell Literacy Project, Bunnell Elementary School
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$5,000 – Margaret Huebner, Safety Wrapped, East Ridge High School
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$5,000 – Dilenia Garcia, Art Classroom Preparing Future Leaders, Eagle Lake Elementary School
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$5,000 – Heidi Steiner, Specials Needs Engagement and Access to Curriculum for All, Pinellas County Schools
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$2,500 – Tanya Florio, LiveFree! Club, Carwise Middle School
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$2,500 – Kerrie Danler-Doughty, Frontier Theater Club, Frontier Elementary School
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$2,500 – Lindsay Perreault, Theater Shop, Mt. Dora High School
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$2,500 – Earl Morris, Great NASA Dilemma, Lealman Innovation Academy
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$2,500 – Rachel Kingdom, Beyond the Walls, Central High School
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$2,500 – Jennifer Vanston, Spectre Robotics Club, Sarasota County Schools
Activities that qualified for a Golden Grant include arts and crafts programs, education initiatives, mentorship and empowerment programs, after-school programs, community service outreach, sporting programs, technology and COVID-19 relief efforts. Here are some of the local winners:
Dilenia Garcia, Art Classroom Preparing Future Leaders, Eagle Lake Elementary School 
Heidi Steiner, Specials Needs Engagement and Access to Curriculum for All, Pinellas County Schools 
Kerrie Danler-Doughty, Frontier Theater Club, Frontier Elementary School 
Margaret Huebner, Safety Wrapped, East Ridge High School 
Rachel Kingdom, Beyond the Walls, Central High School 
Tanya Florio, LiveFree! Club, Carwise Middle School
