Pictured: Mary Kay Henson (center) with Dr. Helene Lotman (left) and SRQ Magazine Managing Editor, Barbie Heit. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations — from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. This year, attendees were thrilled to be together as we recognized our annual Good Hero Philanthropic Award recipients at the SB2: Philanthropic Agenda Luncheon and Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, March 7th at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. In the coming weeks, we are happy to feature each of the ten honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.

Today we are recognizing Mary Kay Henson, an individual without a personal agenda or political aspiration. She, along with her husband, has made significant contributions to All Faith’s Food Bank to ensure that no children or adults are deprived of food. She has also provided a generous grant to fund UnidosNow to raise an emergency fund that provides assistance to over 800 families for their rent and utilities. Mary Kay also took the time to visit families at their locations and hear about their pressing needs and aspirations, creating a partnership to provide health access for the most vulnerable. An individual who nominated Mary Kay shared, “She and her husband Joe are my local heroes. They know how difficult it is to provide for a child even when people have more than two jobs— their income is not enough. They not only have my eternal gratitude but I want our community to know that we are fortunate to have people like them who take the time to care for others.” Congratulations Mary Kay.

Pictured: Mary Kay Henson (center) with Dr. Helene Lotman (left) and SRQ Magazine Managing Editor, Barbie Heit. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.