Representing the Root Family Foundation, John Root recently presented the United Way of Martin County with a $10,000 gift to its Community Impact Fund.
For generations, the Root Family Foundation has been supporting their communities through United Way because the Foundation’s focus on critical needs aligns with United Way’s focus areas of health, education and financial stability.
“Since the turn of the 20th century, the Root Family Foundation has been focused on improving the quality of life for those in need,” Root said. “Even without the pandemic, there are people in need in our community.”
The family’s original business, Root Glass Company, designed the first Coca-Cola bottle in 1916 and made canning jars. After the glass company was sold to the Mason Co. in the 1930s, the family operated a Coca-Cola bottling business until 1985 and then invested in such diverse fields as hospitality, aviation and citrus.
Today, several generations of Root family members are directly involved with the charities that the Foundation supports. John and his wife Judy raised their four children with the philanthropic mindset.
“United Way provides us with a meaningful way for our family members to give back to the communities in which we live,” Root said. For more information about United Way, visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org.
