Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. has donated $70,000 to Downtown Ministries, Inc. to aid in the development of its new school, Downtown Academy. The school will become an additional platform for the ministries’ ongoing efforts to provide educational programs to children from low-income neighborhoods in Athens.
“Downtown Ministries has continued to support the Athens community by providing opportunities that may not otherwise be available to these families,” said Blake Bailey, chief financial officer of Zaxby’s. Bailey has a longstanding relationship with Downtown Ministries and currently serves on its board. “Zaxby’s is honored to help expand the efforts of the Ministries to offer these kids the resources to excel and grow” said Bailey.
Downtown Academy will be located in the heart of downtown Athens and is scheduled to open in August 2013. In addition to educational programs, the ministries provide sports, tutoring, cub scouts and training resources. The initial enrollment will include kindergarten and first grade children with 12 to 15 students per class.
The ministries held a luncheon on October 23 to celebrate the donation towards the school’s construction. The donation for the build was presented by Bailey, Robert Baxley, chief operating officer, and additional corporate staff of Zaxby’s Franchising, Inc. Attendees of the donation presentation included Athens-Clarke Mayor Nancy Denson and members of the ministries’ board.
