09/02/2026
This will be a long post, but I hope that you all will take the time to read it all the way through. At the lowest point in our lives, we made a decision to honor Tanner’s life through the Tanner Mock Foundation. This foundation strives to honor God in all at that we do and to make an impact on the lives of the youth in our surrounding communities. When Tanner Mock Foundation was formed I (Kevin) made a promise that we would be open and transparent on how we used the funds that were entrusted to us. So, I would like to start there. These numbers are cumulative since the formation of TMF.
13 Scholarships to High School Seniors for $1500 each: Paxton = 6, Kinston = 3, Samson = 2, Florala =2 for a total of 19,500.
$6380 in Sponsorships to Highschool baseball teams Paxton, Florala, Kinston, Samson.
$7570 in Rec league/team sponsorships and tuition for players in Paxton, Kinston, Florala and Samson.
$15,461 for new entry signage at W.W. Adams Park
$1200 to feed youth at TMF events or pre game meals for local teams.
$1500 in donations to the Jake Hodge Foundation.
$25,238 for Tanner’s Locker and supplies for it.
$7000 in other cost associated with hosting fundraisers.
4 back to school youth events that have seen many youth reach God. This event and other opportunities to speak to our youth throughout the year make the rest of the work and planning worth it.
In total over $83,000 in 3 years. We could not have done this without the help and generosity of our surrounding communities, sponsors and donors.
As we are entering the 26/27 school year, one that would have been Tanner’s senior year, we are trying to increase all levels of support. For this year alone we are planning:
-13 High School Senior scholarships ($19,500) 2 in Paxton, 1 each in Florala, Samson and Kinston and 8 at large scholarships that any student can apply for.
-Sponsorship increase for 4 HS baseball teams
- Sponsorships for 4 HS softball teams
- Sponsorships for 7 Rec leagues/teams Paxton, Kinston, Samson, Florala and we plan to expand to sponsor a team in PDL, Freeport and Baker. All of these leagues supported our large fundraiser in April.
- Supplies for Tanner’s Locker, we are very low on most of the bigger items in the locker; Gloves, Bats, Cleats.
- youth speaking events and the back-to-school youth service.
These items for this year will exceed $60,000 but we are confident that God will send the needed funds through our local communities, sponsors and donors and fundraisers.
2026 was the 1st year that we were able to have a dedicated trailer for Tanner’s Locker, this allowed us to attend Cancer Freeze, fundraisers in Paxton and Samson, Bobby Kemp Herritage Day, and other days for the youth to see what we offer. We are also planning to take Tanner’s Locker to Baker in November for an MLB pitch, hit and run event for the youth. This outreach would not have been possible without the sponsors. Dobro Steel, Triple J Welding, Bethel Assembly, Florala 1st Assembly, City of Paxton, 1st Baptist Florala, Florala Pharmacy, Kyser Trucking, Green Grass Sod Farm, The Depot, T&D Trucking, Southern Independent Bank, Chancellor Assembly, Blue Sand Mortgage and Caraway Cattle Company. Thank you to all of these wonderful sponsors.
We are starting the process for 2027 sponsors and these great sponsors will have 1st opportunity to renew, but we will have at least 6-7 spots available for the primary side of Tanners Locker, a few spots on the nose and a whole back side. We would love to see more representation from Kinston and Samson as well as our 3 new communities in PDL, Freeport and Baker. If there are any individuals, business or churches that would want to sponsor Tanner Mock Foundation, please get in touch with me. We are a 501c3 charitable foundation and will provide the tax documents needed to file with your taxes.
We have also applied for many grants (have been approved for 2 for $2300 total) and hope to hear back from some of the rest soon.
If you have taken the time to read this far, thank you. Please share our post, tag the local businesses that you think would fit our vision and mission, and most of all continue to remember our family in your prayers.
Edit to add because we have had questions.
For the side of the locker with the walk in door or on the nose. This is the side with the most exposure. New sponsors are $400, renewable every year for $300. This is for 18”x27” vinyl sign.
For the back side, the same sign is 300 new, 200 renewal.
We do offer a 12”x12” sign on the back side for $200 new with $100 renewal.
Donations are also welcome in the form of new or gently used equipment for youth baseball and softball players.
If this foundation is something you want to invest into our youth with and you want to make a larger contribution, please let us know.
Thank you all again.
