Wallis announces First America Foundation

Last week on July 13th, Colin A. Bingham who resides at 30 Fullerwood Drive and Donald W. Wallis, an attorney with Upchurch, Bailey and Upchurch in St. Augustine incorporated First America Foundation, Inc.

This morning, in a workshop meeting with the City of St. Augustine Commission, Wallis explained that his purpose in creating the not for profit corporation was to provide a vehicle whereby private citizens could donate to help pay for the upcoming 450th Commemoration.

First America Foundation was incorporated to be operated exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

The purposes of First America Foundation shall be focused upon, and limited to, commemorating the 450th anniversary of the founding of the first permanent European settlement in America at the location now known as St. Augustine as well as the significance of St. Augustine and vicinity in the history of America — both before and after the founding.

According to corporate documents filed by the new organization, such purposes shall include, but shall not be limited to, raising funds, employing staff, engaging the services of independent contractors, distributing property (including cash) to distributees that meet certain requirements and the funding of efforts, undertakings, events, activities and programs.

Every distributee must be an organization that is both selected by the Board of Directors in its discretion and either a tax-exempt organization or a federal, state, or local government. Any distribution must be used for a public purpose.

In Wallis’ presentation before the board and about 40 citizens in attendance, he suggested that, although he and Bingham are the original incorporators, the 450th Commemoration Commission Steering Committee appointed by Mayor Boles, and on which Wallis and Boles hold a seat, be offered what he termed as “a right of first refusal” to serve as the inaugural Board of Directors of the Foundation.

Wallis predicted he could present this idea to the existing Steering Committee as soon as next week, and, realizing that some will decline, put together a functioning Board “in as early as the next few months.”

The Steering Committee consists of:

Dr. William Abare, President, Flagler College, St. Augustine
Joseph Boles, Mayor, City of St. Augustine
Major General Douglas Burnett, Adjutant General, Florida National Guard
Charles Ellis, Vice President, Fort Mose Historical Society
Gordon Wilson, Superintendent, Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, U.S. National Park Service
Dr. Michael Gannon, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of History, University of Florida
Glenn Hastings, Executive Director, Tourist Development Council.
Joseph Joyner, Superintendent, St. Johns County School District
Loran Lueders, Chief, St. Augustine Police Department
David Shoar, Sheriff, St. Johns County
Cyndi Stevenson, Chair, St. Johns County Commission
Don Wallis, Chair, St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce
Doug Wiles, former member of the Florida House of Representatives, District 20
Tom Willis, Pastor, Cathedral-Basilica
Brud Helhoski, Mayor, City of St. Augustine Beach
General Consul of Spain (currently Santiago Cabanas)
Her Majesty’s General Consul (currently Keith Allen)
President, Spain-Florida Foundation (currently Emilio Sanchez)

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer