"Those in our community who care deeply about the human condition of others are still finding it a challenge to feed the hungry, to clothe and shelter the needy, and to care for abused women and children and for people with disabilities.

Therefore, the Foundation Board through the Cloak and Sword Fund will follow Christ's example, as evidenced by St. Martin of Tours, to give the highest priority to local organizations whose mission is to meet the fundamental needs of those in crisis."

Thus reads the mission statement of the Cloak and Sword Fund of the St. Martin's Foundation. Annually, the Foundation awards modest grants (through a grant application process) to worthy community organizations that serve these critical needs.

The St. Martin’s-in-the-Fields Foundation Board met on March 12, 2008 to consider six applications for outreach grants from the Cloak & Sword Fund.

The Foundation Board’s payout policy enacted in 1994, states that we will give 5% of the rolling three year average of the net worth of the Cloak and Sword Fund on an annual basis. The Board awarded $20,000 worth of grants this year to the following:

$2,000 for Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) which provided quality volunteer and legal representation that ensures each abused and neglected child has a safe, permanent and nurturing home.

$4,500 for Homeworks to assist in the one day blitz scheduled for April 12, 2008 to make repairs to approximately 40 homes in the Columbia area. An estimated 1,200 teen and adult volunteers from churches, schools, businesses and service organizations will make needed repairs.

$6,000 for the Columbia Oral Health Clinic which provides dental care to HIV, uninsured/underinsured adult residents of the Midlands. The grant will help to provide dentures to their patients.

$4,500 for the Cooperative Ministry which seeks to improve the quality of life for the needy in the community by direct assistance, counseling, prayer support and guiding them to available community resources. The grant will help provide clothing for pre-release inmates.

$3,000 for York Place Episcopal Church Home for Children which is a residential treatment center serving children with emotional problems. York Place serves 48 children, and the grant will help fund the treatment of these children.

The Foundation Board would like to thank the people of St. Martin’s for their generous contributions to the Cloak and Sword Fund.

Foundation Board: Carlos Gibbons, Martha Beckman, Bruce Carter, Pat D’Anna, Tom LaBorde, Chris Traylor, Jack Myers and Gwen Geidel.