SAN DIEGO (July 11, 2017) – Disabled youth will experience the joy of dance thanks to a $2,400 grant to Wheelchair Dancers Organization from the Sundt Foundation. The contribution was part of $14,400 given by the Foundation to San Diego-area nonprofits this past quarter. 
“With the Sundt Foundation’s support, we will provide a six-week adaptive fitness hip-hop dance program at a local school for children and youth with special needs and physical challenges alongside their able-bodied peers,” said Beverly Weurding, Founder and President of Wheelchair Dancers Organization.
The San Diego nonprofit offers dance instruction, workshops and dance events for wheelchair users. WDO’s vision is to use the arts as a vehicle to broaden opportunities and resolve issues of exclusion facing children and adults with physical challenges. Participants have seen health improvements such as increased flexibility, endurance and respiratory control. They also experience improved self-esteem and confidence, reduced stress and gain a sense of connection and belonging.
Other Sundt Foundation grants this past quarter to San Diego-area nonprofits include:
$3,000 Grant Recipients
Friends of Scott Foundation received a grant to support its mission of helping children with cancer and their families. The nonprofit’s programs include the Scott Delgadillo Scholarship Fund, Special Dreams to fulfill mini-wishes for children with incurable cancer and provide gas cards and grocery cards for families to help with the economic burden of illness.
Veterans Association of North County represents more than 30 veteran organizations spanning all military branches. The association serves as a one-stop resource center for veterans and active-duty military, connecting them with agencies and services for jobs, education, finance, health and wellness and family issues.
$2,500 Grant Recipient
Miracle Babies is a San Diego nonprofit that supports families with babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. The organization operates a family assistance program to provide needs-based financial assistance, supports education about the causes of preterm birth and partners with research experts to improve short- and long-term outcomes for NICU babies.
$2,000 Grant Recipient
EMS Inc. helps individuals with disabilities with job placements by providing connections with employers, resume development and interview readiness. The organization’s service areas are Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles and San Diego.
$1,500 Grant Recipient
Girls Rising Mentor Program partners at-risk girls ages 6 to 17 with a mentor to serve as a positive and consistent role model. The program also offers a series of social, educational and character building events for the girls and their mentors to promote community, increase social support and introduce the girls to new experiences.
About The Sundt Foundation
The Sundt Foundation was established in 1999 by Sundt Construction, Inc. as a way for its employee-owners to give back to the communities in which they live and work. The organization is funded primarily by contributions from Sundt employees, which are matched by the company. To date, the Foundation has awarded more than $7.9 million in grants. Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for a grant may call (855) 714-4365 or visit https://www.sundt.com/community-industry/sundt-foundation/ for more information. Sundt has offices in San Diego, Irvine, Sacramento and San José, California; San Antonio, Fort Worth, Irving and El Paso, Texas; Tempe and Tucson, Arizona and Salt Lake City, Utah.
About Sundt
Sundt Construction, Inc. (www.sundt.com) is one of the country’s largest and most respected general contractors. The 127-year-old firm specializes in transportation, industrial and building work and is known for its commitment to quality and innovative approach to construction services. Sundt has offices throughout California, Arizona, Texas and Utah and is 100 percent owned by its approximately 2,000 employees. The company is consistently ranked among the Best Places to Work by business publications in multiple cities and in 2016 it was named the nation’s safest construction company by the Associated General Contractors of America for the second time in a decade – an honor no other contractor can claim.
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