Putnam County Schools Are Building Bright Futures Through Philanthropist’s Endowed Gifts

Frank V. Oliver, Jr. was a successful businessman and philanthropist who loved his community of Putnam County. Through his estate, he established an endowment at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida after his death in 2010. Since then, the Frank V. Oliver Fund at The Community Foundation has distributed more than $1.7 million in grants to support education, health, community and critical needs throughout Putnam County.

This week, members of the Fund’s community grants panel, including Mr. Oliver’s widow, Joyce Oliver, and long-time friend and attorney Richard K. Jones, joined The Community Foundation staff to see Mr. Oliver’s generosity in action at the new Building Construction Technologies Academy at Palatka Junior-Senior High School.

“This is about building a stronger future for the entire community,” said John Zell, senior vice president of development at The Community Foundation, told the Palatka Daily News. “Mr. Oliver’s fund is one of the most focused and generous we have. It is truly making a lasting impact.”

Renee Hough, Director of Career and Technical Education for the Putnam County School District, provided a tour of the academy where an innovative approach to building construction education is taking shape thanks to a $100,000 grant from the Frank V. Oliver Jr., Fund, a component fund of The Community Foundation.

Beginning this year, the school will offer a two-semester Building Construction curriculum introducing students to the plumbing, maintenance, masonry, electrical, carpentry and HVAC trades.

According to Hough, students who successfully complete the program will not only graduate high school with a skill, but also a leg up in securing a job in one of these high-paying fields.

“Students are better prepared to earn industry certifications, and they graduate with OSHA-10 certification,” Hough said. OSHA-10 certification is a workplace safety certificate required for many entry-level jobs. “We’ve had students get jobs with local companies just because of the OSHA training.”

To date, the Frank V. Oliver, Jr., Fund at The Community Foundation has granted $300,000 to Putnam County Schools to establish the Building Construction Academies countywide. The Palatka program replicates successful programs already operating at Interlachen Junior Senior High School and Crescent City Junior Senior High School, both made possible by Mr. Oliver’s generosity.

The grant funded renovations to existing space at the school as well as tools and equipment the students will use during their hands-on training. Hough added that the grant was also key to the District’s ability to secure an appropriation from the State of Florida for this and other workforce enhancement programs throughout the county.

Through his fund at The Community Foundation, Mr. Oliver’s legacy lives on through the lives of students who participate in this program.

“Frank wanted people to work, to do something worthwhile and to enjoy what they do,” said Joyce Oliver. “He would be very pleased to have made this opportunity possible.”