Wilma and George Elmore to Give $1 Million to Scripps Research

The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new facility in Jupiter, Florida, on March 11 would have been memorable no matter what. But it was made even more so by Governor Jeb Bush’s announcement that Palm Beach County residents Wilma and George Elmore will give $1 million to The Scripps Research Institute.

Here are Governor Bush’s remarks:

A year ago, I challenged Florida philanthropists to match the audacious vision of Scripps Florida with “audacious philanthropy” to help extend the value and impact of state and county support. Since then, contributions totaling almost $5 million have been made by Floridians to The Scripps Research Institute’s research and education programs.

Today, it is may personal pleasure to announce the first bricks-and-mortar gift to Scripps Florida’s Palm Beach County campus. This remarkable act of generosity is being made today—fittingly, on her birthday—by Wilma and George Elmore, who are with us, along with their daughter, Debra Elmore.

The Wilma and George Elmore gift of $1 million will name a part of the Scripps Florida campus to be announced at a later time. As the first naming gift, their generosity will also help support biomedical research in Florida by providing $150,000—15 percent of their gift—to the Florida Biomedical Research Trust Fund, under terms of Florida’s contract with Scripps.

The Elmores’ gift is particularly gratifying, and especially appropriate, because they came to Palm Beach County over 50 years [ago] to start Hardrives Inc., one of the state’s leading road construction businesses, beginning with a single truck and two employees—themselves.

The Elmores’ success is a story in the best American tradition of hard work, through good times and bad, and generosity to their community in all times. Their gift to name a part of Scripps Florida is a good sign of great times to come, for Scripps and for our state.

Ladies and gentlemen, please join me in saluting Wilma and  George Elmore!

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu