The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse (SCoSA) will honor the 2023 award winners at the 17th Annual Sarasota Shining Stars Recognition and Awards Luncheon. The event will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 22, at Michael’s On East, 1212 East Ave., Sarasota. Tom Knight, former Sarasota County Sheriff, will serve as the emcee. Individual tickets are $80; table sponsorship is available for $1,000. Tickets are available online at www.SCoSA.org or by calling SCoSA at 941-928-4435.This year’s honorees are: Citizen of the Year - Mark Pritchett, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Community Foundation. Mark Pritchett is being recognized for his years of community service. He has served as the president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation since 2015; he is retiring this year. Under Pritchett’s leadership, the Foundation has tackled many of our community's toughest issues, including homelessness, affordable housing and mental health services. His smiling face and words of encouragement make you want to be part of his team to move forward, pull resources together and motivate people to do things for the greater good. Pritchett serves on the boards of the Florida Chamber Foundation, Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Sarasota County Economic Development Corporation, and the Community Foundations of Florida CEO Leadership Team. He is a Lifetime Member of Leadership Florida and supports many causes outside of his role at the Foundation. In 2021, he received the Civic Achievement Award by the American Jewish Committee. His caring attitude and sincerity make Mark Pritchett the perfect Citizen of the Year for the Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse. Community Leadership Award- Lt. Col. Michele Matthews, Sarasota Area Commander, The Salvation Army. The award recognizes the leadership and community contributions made by Lt. Col. Michele Matthews, who has served as The Salvation Army’s Sarasota area commander since 2021. During recent tragedies she led efforts to help people suffering from loss, homelessness and other issues. Matthews supervised The Salvation Army Homeless Shelter that housed two residential addiction recover programs during the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ian. She facilitated food trucks and worked to provide assistance to many individuals in North Port in the aftermath of Ian, including temporary housing. Previously, Matthews was The Salvation Army’s national secretary for Social Services and Public Policy; national director for White House Relations; and territorial director for Pathway of Hope, a national poverty alleviation initiative, for The Salvation Army, USA Southern Territory. Matthews also has served as CEO of The Salvation Army’s Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex Command and chief development officer for The Salvation Army Caribbean Territory. The Sarasota Coalition on Substance Abuse is proud to recognize Lt. Col. Matthews with the Shining Stars Community Leadership Award.

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