OKEECHOBEE – A community gathering at Kiwanis Park celebrated the announcement that Okeechobee has been selected as one of the newest recipients of a T-Mobile Hometown Grant, a nationwide initiative supporting small-town revitalization with funding for transformative local projects.

 Okeechobee will receive a $50,000 grant to help enhance Kiwanis Park with new wheelchair-accessible playground equipment, creating a more inclusive and welcoming space where children of all abilities can play together and thrive. This initiative supports community well-being, accessibility, and engagement — values that define the spirit of Okeechobee.

T-Mobile launched the Hometown Grant program in 2021, explained  Itai Menahem of T-Mobile. Over five years, T-Mobile has given out $25 million to programs that bring people together, he said. "The company is committed to helping millions of households stay connected."

Okeechobee County Commission Chair David Hazellief recognized those who worked to win this grant for Okeechobee including: Courtney Moyett, Rev. Don Hanna, Christina Honeycutt, Angie Griffin, Mayor Dowling Watford and Assistant County Administrator for Community Services Denise Whitehead.

 “The City of Okeechobee would like to thank T-Mobile for their generous grant to help provide a handicap accessible playground feature at Kiwanis Park. This grant will partner with funds from the Kiwanis Club of Okeechobee and Okeechobee County Parks and Recreation to provide children with disabilities the opportunity to play and have fun,” said Mayor  Watford.

 “Okeechobee County is excited that Okeechobee Main Street was chosen as a recipient of the T-Mobile Hometown Grant. These funds will be used towards the construction of a wheelchair accessible merry go round within Kiwanis Park. This grant will provide additional recreational opportunities for our disabled children to enjoy at the park for years to come. Okeechobee County appreciates the work that Okeechobee Main Street continues to do for our community. Thank you to T-Mobile for choosing to invest in Okeechobee Main Street and Okeechobee County,” said County Commissioner Terry Burroughs.

 “I would like to thank T-Mobile for the grant funds to be used in Okeechobee’s Kiwanis Park. As a small city, Okeechobee has limited access for children in wheelchairs to play, this grant will be a huge improvement for them,” said City Councilman David McAuley.

Okeechobee Main Street hosted the celebration in Kiwanis Park with free ice pops and pizza, free face painting, entertainment by Jacob Farris and lots of games for the kids.