Seeds of Grace has been active in High Ridge Estates since 2011, starting with Book Bus, then supporting Mission of the Dirt Road’s first steps, and now we’re ready to collaborate with the High Ridge Initiative to strengthen our neighborhood.
Who We Are
A simple idea took root.
Seeds of Grace started as what seemed to be a silly idea between two teachers. In 2010, Carey Morford was working as a classroom assistant in Teri Sapp’s ESE classroom. One teacher planning day, while Carey was attempting to clean out Teri’s closet, she asked, “What are you going to do with all of these books?”
Teri replied, “You know I’ve always wanted to drive around in an ice cream truck, except instead of giving away ice cream, I’d give away books.”
A few weeks later, after visiting a student’s home together, Carey looked at Teri and said, “We should do it.” By the summer of 2011, their first Book Bus was on the road, bringing free books directly to children and families. That same spirit of showing up, building relationships, and creating opportunities continues to shape Seeds of Grace today.
Seeds of Grace, Inc. was established as a nonprofit in 2012 with a mission of providing community development opportunities and fostering relationships among people looking for a better way to live.
Growing through relationships and collaboration
Seeds of Grace has been active in High Ridge Estates since 2011, beginning with the Book Bus and continuing to support community efforts over the years. We supported Mission of the Dirt Road in its early days, and today we are partnering with the High Ridge Initiative, private partners, county programs, and like-minded organizations to strengthen the High Ridge community.
Our work is centered on connection and collaboration—bringing people, resources, and organizations together to identify opportunities, address community needs, and create pathways for positive change.
We believe meaningful community development happens when people work together. By building coalitions and fostering relationships among neighbors, organizations, businesses, and community partners, we can accomplish more together than any one group can accomplish alone.
We’re excited to continue growing, strengthening relationships, and building a better future together.
Carey Morford
Co- Founder of Seeds of Grace, Community Advocate/Executive DirectorCarey Morford
Carey Morford grew up in Keystone Heights and has been an advocate for High Ridge Estates for more than a decade, and this started with developing Book Bus, alongside Teri Sapp. This little seed of community development eventually became Mission of the Dirt Road, a church and community center which Carey has led since 2016. Carey moved into High Ridge Estates with her family in 2018. In 2021, She started the High Ridge Initiative, which became a Clay County Board of County Commissioners approved community development project. Carey loves thinking creatively and collaborating with neighbors and community leaders so that High Ridge Estates can become a place where people flourish.
Teri Sapp
Co-Founder, President of Seeds of Grace, Inc.Teri Sapp
Teri dreamed up Book Bus, long before it made the first trip through the neighborhood. She is a retired teacher who taught for nearly 30 years and devoted most of that time to Keystone Heights Elementary School. Teri’s dedication to the success of her students was unmatched, and now she puts that same dedication and energy into an array of projects: Toddler Time at Keystone Heights Methodist Church, real estate, Book Bus, leading the Seeds of Grace Board, and caring for her family.
Our Board Members
Diane Johnson
Board MemberDiane Johnson
Diane moved to Keystone Heights in the summer of 2022. She is retired, but has a variety of life and work experiences that provide perspective as a board member for Seeds of Grace. She has been a teacher and a missionary, bringing cross-cultural experience to our board. She’s volunteered throughout my life for various organizations with the goal of helping others or improving situations. She looks forward to serving my new community, High Ridge Estates.
Wendy Harris
Board MemberWendy Harris
Wendy Harris serves as the Office Manager for the City of Keystone Heights, where she helps ensure the daily operations of City Hall run smoothly and efficiently. In her role, she provides administrative leadership, assists residents and businesses, and supports city staff and leadership in delivering responsive service to the community.
Born in Jacksonville, Florida, Wendy spent many years as a dual resident of Jacksonville Beach and Keystone Heights, developing strong ties to both communities. In 2020, she and her husband decided to make Keystone Heights their permanent home, further deepening their commitment to the community.
Wendy is a woman of strong faith who loves God, her family, and her country. She values service, community connection, and the opportunity to help others. Through both her professional work and personal life, Wendy is dedicated to supporting and strengthening the community she proudly calls home.
Matthew Ziegler
Board MemberMatthew Ziegler
Matthew brings a strong background in technology, systems design, and operational structure. He focuses on helping the organization use technology intentionally—improving internal systems, reducing friction, and building processes that scale as the organization grows. His role on the board centers on ensuring the operational backbone is solid, sustainable, and mission-aligned, so more energy goes toward serving people and less toward managing avoidable operational complexity. He currently lives in High Ridge Estates and works in Bradford County.
Kelly Cunningham
Board MemberKelly Cunningham
Kelly Cunningham was born and raised in Keystone Heights. After being stationed in Jacksonville and Raleigh, NC with her husband who served in the Navy, She and her Ray made Keystone Heights their permanent home 21 years ago. Kelly taught elementary school for 25 years total and was at Keystone Heights Elementary for the last 19 of those years. Two years ago she resigned (I am to young to retire…LOL) from teaching to take a position at their family business…Bryan’s Ace Home Center and Keystone Gifts & Guns.
Currently, She is in charge of buying products for the gift area, clothing, and footwear departments, and she works in Human Resources. She has been blessed to go back to her roots of the hardware business that her dad started working in over 45 years ago. Her part is being able to work alongside of my parents, husband, and children. She loves being able to serve our community within our business. In her “spare time”, she serves as a co-vice president for the Keystone Heights Woman’s Club where the main focus is community service.
Dana Grantham
Board MemberDana Grantham
Dana is a retired teacher of 30 years at Keystone Heights Elementary. She loves the community of Keystone Heights and desires to see great things happen here. While she prefers to be behind the scenes doing manual labor, she brings an important perspective to our board. Dana is a member of Mission of the Dirt Road.
Jenah Clark
Board MemberJenah Clark
Alfonso Bardalez
Board MemberAlfonso Bardalez
Alfonso has lived in the neighborhood, with his family, for several years. He has many skills and is currently working for a well drilling company. He attends church at Mission of the Dirt Road and has helped with many neighborhood clean-up days! Alfonso brings a great deal of practical skill and wisdom to our board. He values a safe and healthy neighborhood and seeks to contribute to those efforts.
Betsy Condon
Board MemberBetsy Condon
Betsy Condon is a native of Keystone Heights who returned to the community with her husband and family after building a career in environmental health, safety and compliance. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Health Science from the University of Georgia and spent 15 years working in environmental compliance and safety, including serving as Director of Environmental Health & Safety for a medical device manufacturing company.
Betsy has a long history of community service, including serving on the Clay County School Board and as President of the Keystone Heights Rotary Club. She currently serves as a Clay County Commissioner representing District 4 and is active in regional and statewide organizations focused on transportation, agriculture, rural affairs, environmental sustainability and small communities.
Betsy brings a deep understanding of Keystone Heights and the surrounding rural community, along with experience in environmental stewardship, responsible growth and community planning. She is passionate about helping communities grow thoughtfully while using resources wisely and creating opportunities for the people who call them home.
Gigi Mahaffey
Board MemberGigi Mahaffey
Gigi Mahaffey is an Expanded Learning Coordinator at Keystone Heights High School with over a decade of experience working in the school system. A local resident since 2003, she has a deep connection to the community she serves. With a background in psychology, she is passionate about supporting students and families by creating meaningful programs focused on life skills, education, and overall student success both inside and outside the classroom. Through her work with Community Partnership Schools and local organizations, Gigi helps connect resources that strengthen the school community and remove barriers for students.
Outside of her professional role, Gigi is a proud and busy mom of two, one son involved in football, cross country, and all outdoor activities, and a daughter who enjoys basketball and creative outlets like makeup and nail design. Much of her time is spent supporting and cheering on her children, which fuels her commitment to helping other families thrive.