The Emerald Coast Autism Center will be awarded $15,000 from Trustmark Bank for receiving the most Facebook “likes” in an event that made a total of $125,000 available to 15 nonprofit organizations in five states.
Two other local nonprofits will also receive cash awards.
The Emerald Coast Autism Center received 839 likes during the week-long competition to finish first in the local area. Covenant Hospice of the Emerald Coast finished second (220 likes) and will receive $7,500. Food 4 Kids Emerald Coast finished third (56 likes) and will receive $2,500.
The 829 likes received by the Emerald Coast Autism Center was the most among the 15 competing nonprofit organizations in Florida, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi and Tennessee.
In all, Trustmark will donate a total of $125,000 to nonprofit organizations in the markets that Trustmark serves. The event was held in celebration of Trustmark’s 125th anniversary.
The Emerald Coast Autism Center is a non-profit school and therapy center for children on the autism spectrum. It currently is located in Valparaiso. A drive is underway to raise funds to build a new facility for the ECAC on the campus of Northwest Florida State College in Niceville. The funds from the Trustmark competition will go towards the building fund.
The competition was held Nov. 6-13, 2014.
