Cox Communications employees have awarded a total of $60,000 to six local nonprofits through Cox Charities Community Investment Grants, with each organization receiving $10,000 to support programs benefiting area residents.

• Nonprofits submitted applications earlier this year, and Cox employees voted on the winning organizations. The grants are employee funded.

On Tuesday morning at The Place on Beal in Fort Walton Beach, the following organizations were awarded:

A Bed 4 Me Foundation, Inc. will use its $10,000 grant to provide safe, comfortable beds to 76 children in Okaloosa and Walton counties, helping improve their health, well-being and ability to succeed at home and in school.

Children in Crisis, Inc. will use its grant to enhance academic outcomes for 60 to 75 children in out-of-home care through an eight-week STEAM summer program featuring hands-on, project-based learning with LEGO Education kits.

The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition will expand access to hands-on STEM programs by keeping Science Saturdays free and waiving summer robotics camp fees for students from families with limited means.

Heart of the Youth Foundation will support its LEGO STEAM Summer Experience, serving approximately 120 students with hands-on learning in coding, engineering and creative problem-solving while expanding access to advanced technology.

Nokuse Education, Inc. will enhance environmental education at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center by upgrading technology and outdoor learning spaces, expanding access for underserved communities and deepening STEM engagement for more than 6,500 annual students and visitors.

The Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation will provide hands-on environmental education for approximately 1,000 elementary students through a watershed stewardship program that builds STEM skills and fosters conservation awareness.

“People travel from all over the United States because Okaloosa County is geographically blessed with abundant natural resources,” said John Spolski, Okaloosa County School District assistant superintendent and executive director of the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. “Thanks to this grant and Cox Communications’ support, our students will be immersed in hands-on learning through field-like experiences. These partnerships and grants are increasing access to meaningful enrichment opportunities for our Okaloosa students.”

Cox Charities, a charitable initiative of Cox Communications, is fully funded by Cox employees and business partners.

The funds raised are invested annually as Cox Charities Community Investment Grants to organizations that align with the company’s focus areas of youth innovation through programs centered on science, technology, engineering, arts and math; conservation and sustainability initiatives; and equal opportunity.

“Cox Charities’ investment in Children in Crisis’ Neighborhood Summer STEAM Initiative will create educational opportunities for 60 to 75 at-risk children in out-of-home care across the Gulf Coast,” said Kevin Maloney, president and CEO of Children in Crisis. “Through hands-on LEGO Education STEAM experiences, this support will help bridge academic gaps and equip vulnerable youth with skills that extend far beyond the summer months.”

A total of $600,000 is being awarded to 56 grant recipients throughout Cox’s East Region.

“Giving back isn’t just something we do at Cox, it defines who we are. From funding local nonprofit grants to volunteering our time, we show up with heart, purpose and a true commitment to the Gulf Coast community,” said David Deliman, market vice president of Cox Gulf Coast. “I’m incredibly proud of the difference our team continues to make.”