The Gulf Coast Triathlon Foundation donated $3,000 to the Panama City Marine Institute (PCMI) Thursday. The triathlon takes in over $100,000 every year from the race, held on Mother's Day weekend.

That money goes right back to help the community. PCMI provides alternative education opportunities for at-risk youth in our area. Students say that large donation will be money well spent.

Keyarra DeLoach says, "It means a lot because without that money, we wouldn't be doing special things like going on trips, helping us with our education, and encouraging us to do better."

The Gulf Coast Triathlon Foundation has donated about $500,000 to local organizations in the past four to five years.