St. Johns County Council on Aging is supported by a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds.

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL, November 5, 2024 – St. Johns County Council on Aging (COA) today announced their receipt of a grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida that will greatly improve quality of life for seniors in St. Johns County, Florida. The grant of $545,000 has provided the balance of funds necessary to construct phase one of COA’s Shelter and Shade project at their senior center facilities at 180 Marine Street in St. Augustine, Florida. The grant also enables matching grant opportunities to support completion of phase two of the project.

The Shelter and Shade project phase one will raise the elevation of the building entrance and construct a covered portico and other improvements to provide shelter from the elements and ease of access for participants.

“We cannot thank Delores Barr Weaver enough for her generosity and support for our mission,” COA Executive Director Becky Yanni said. “We are so excited to be able to create more protection, more comfort, and more joy for the seniors in our community.”

St. Augustine’s A. D. Davis Construction will oversee the improvements, designed by Open City Architecture and Marquis, Latimer + Halback, Inc.  In 2009, A. D. Davis Construction built River House, COA’s lifelong learning center and events venue at 179 Marine Street, St. Augustine.

Phase two of the Shelter and Shade project will refinish and screen the outdoor deck for Sunshine Center adult daycare participants, so they may sit outside year-round in the shade and enjoy nature therapy in COA’s garden.

COA’s 180 Marine Street facility houses the Coastal Community Senior Center, one of six senior centers COA operates throughout the county, and the Sunshine Center, COA’s adult daycare center licensed by AHCA #9081. There participants are able to enjoy the company of friends, engaging activities, nutritious lunches, and, in the case of the Sunshine Center, skilled nursing care in a secured environment for those dealing with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other brain disorders. The Sunshine Center also provides crucial respite time for caregivers, and caregiver support and education through COA’s Community Care-Giving program. COA offers transportation to and from the centers for participants through their Paratransit bus service. Paratransit buses are equipped to accommodate assistive devices such as wheelchairs and walkers, and transport participants door-to-door from their homes to COA centers safely.

“We are incredibly grateful for the support of Delores Barr Weaver in making this much-needed improvement a reality,” said COA Development Manager Amy Robinson. “We thank The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida for facilitating and helping make this possible.”

With the support of this grant, COA asks members of the community and local businesses to join in the effort to complete phase two of the project. To contribute to the project, please contact COA’s Amy Robinson at (904) 209-3700. Donations may also be made online at www.coasjc.org/donate.

For more information on the comprehensive programs and services COA provides for older adults and caregivers in St. Johns County, please visit their website at www.coasjc.org, or call (904) 209-3700.

About the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Funds

Delores Barr Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy in Northeast Florida since moving to Jacksonville as co-owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1993. Since her historic gift of $50 million in 2012 establishing the Delores Barr Weaver Legacy Fund, she has partnered with The Community Foundation on her philanthropy through numerous, multi-million dollar gifts, including the Foundation’s largest-ever gift of $61 million in 2023. She has established permanent endowments for more than four dozen nonprofits, including 20 that receive ongoing annual support through the Delores Barr Weaver Forever Event Fund, est. 2015. Today, her grantmaking exceeds $220 million, with support for more than 300 organizations in Northeast Florida and beyond.