First Baptist Church Mineola Feet First Project and Grace Community Healthcare each received a donation of $5,263 as the 2024 recipients from the Max and Mary Hudson Charitable Foundation on Wednesday.

The Hudson Foundation was established by lifelong residents of Mineola, Max and Mary Hudson.

Max Hudson was the vice president and buyer for Lilly Sales from 1957 to 2000, and Mary Hudson also worked at the family business until retirement.

The Hudsons had a great love and passion for their town, their church and the youth of Mineola. They knew in their hearts they wanted to give back to the town they so cherished.

In 2003 they established the living trust, known as The Max & Mary Hudson Charitable Foundation. Funds were set aside by the Hudsons, and directions were set forth of how the funds would be distributed upon their deaths. Max passed away in 2012 and Mary in November 2014.

As designed by the foundation, each year the Mineola School District receives a percentage of the trust for scholarships, the Mineola Church of Christ also receives a percentage of the trust, and an at-large entity or entities receive a percentage as well.

The Advisory Committee members for the Hudson Trust are Mike Ferguson, Jay McGough and Jimmy Phillips. They have the task each year determining the charity of choice to receive the distribution.