Sunshine Community Trust Expands Giving
Andre Nacaxe, Senior Trust Officer for the Sunshine Community Trust, and Dr. Laura Byrd, Interim President at Lake-Sumter State College, pose with the 2025 donation check.
April 23, 2025
The Sunshine Community Trust continues to grow its commitment to education and student success in Lake County, announcing an expansion of its annual giving for 2025.
Building on last year’s inaugural grant, which provided scholarships at Lake Technical College, the Trust has doubled its impact this year with two significant contributions. Lake Technical College will receive an additional $15,000 toward its scholarship fund, ensuring continued support for students in a variety of technical programs. Additionally, the Trust has awarded a $22,000 grant to Lake-Sumter State College, which will support scholarships for the school’s nursing program, helping to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.
"We are grateful for this generous grant to support scholarships for our nursing students," said Dr. Laura Byrd, Interim President of Lake-Sumter State College. "We are continuing to grow our programs to meet the growing needs for nurses and healthcare professionals in our community. Scholarships make a huge difference in the lives of our students. Our students who receive scholarships are more likely to stay enrolled and graduate on time. I appreciate organizations like the Sunshine Community Trust and United Southern Bank, who are making a real difference in our community when they invest in the lives and futures of our students."
Established in 2023, the Sunshine Community Trust was created to support students pursuing post-secondary education in Lake County. With its continued growth, the Trust is expanding its reach, offering new opportunities to support education and other charitable initiatives through the stewardship of generously donated funds.
"United Southern Bank has always been deeply committed to serving our community," said Greg Nelson, President of United Southern Bank. "Through the Sunshine Community Trust, we are investing in the future—helping students access the education they need to succeed and strengthening the local workforce."
