It had been young 16 year-old Leanna Knopik’s dream to return to South Africa to bring opportunity to the children and support education in some of the most rural areas. Sadly, Knopik passed away almost a year after visiting South Africa’s most remote communities, and never made it back. Since her passing, the Good Work Foundation (GWF), a nonprofit organization that provides education to thousands of children in rural South Africa, and its US-based fundraising arm, All Heart Fund, have helped expand and celebrate Knopik’s selfless venture. In particular, a biennial weekend of events known as Safari Sarasota raises significant funds for the two nonprofits and since its inception in 2013, has raised more than $600,000. These funds have inevitably allowed the GWF to expand its digital learning footprint to now have five digital learning campuses serving over 7,000 students per week. Meanwhile, funds raised by All Heart Fund leaders have helped sponsor three Sarasota County elementary school teachers to travel to South Africa and work alongside the teachers at the GFW digital learning centers.

This year, more than 900 people from the Sarasota community attended Safari Sarasota 2019, which spanned over the course of three days in October. Members of the public were invited to attend five individual Safari Sarasota events over the weekend—including celebrity guest talks and presentations from South African author, wildlife and literacy activist Boyd Varty, as well as an interactive culinary tour featuring Londolozi Game Reserve Executive Chef Anna Ridgewell who cooked up traditional South African dishes to pair with award-winning wine at the African Bush Dinner, hosted by Michael’s On East. “We were overwhelmed with the warmth and hospitality bestowed upon us by our friends from Sarasota,” said Dave Varty, Owner of Londolozi Game Reserve and GFW Chairman. “We witnessed the remarkable commitment of the Sarasota community and outpouring of generosity and support for the work we are doing in Africa.”  

Recently, it was announced that this year’s Safari Sarasota raised a total of $225,000. The funds will go towards supporting innovative education programs for children as young as kindergarten and all the way up to adulthood in remote villages in South Africa. Aside from building the additional digital learning centers, the foundation will continue to create opportunities for students to travel to larger communities and cities for higher quality educational and leadership experiences and to connect with real-life businesses. “There are not enough words to thank everyone who has supported the Good Work Foundation and the All Heart Fund. With the money raised, you can be assured it will be empowering and bringing huge opportunity to the children in some of the most rural areas of South Africa,” said Kate Groch, CEO of GFW. “To the entire Sarasota team, you are truly ‘all heart.’ What more can we say?”

Photo from Safari Sarasota 2019 event, courtesy of Sokos Social.

With the holiday season quickly approaching there’s definitely something in the air - Something truly meaningful and heartwarming. It’s the sound of over 1,000 cats and kittens Cat Depot rescued so far this year meowing their thanks for your support! We are thankful for all of our Miracles on 17th Street.

Cat Depot’s mission is to save lives, find loving homes, and provide resources and education to improve the destiny of homeless cats. It is because of you, so many lives are touched. For this we are grateful. In addition to the cats and kittens rescued, over 6,000 cats annually receive veterinary care in Cat Depot’s affordable care clinic. We aim to help keep cats healthy and in their homes and work with donors to help special needs cases receive the attention that every individual deserves. 

Additionally, you helped feed 7,600 community cats and personally-owned pets through Cat Depot’s monthly Community Food Bank. We rely on direct donations of food as well as monetary support to implement this service. We launched a service learning opportunity for students seeking projects. Their assistance, along with yours, is what keeps this volunteer-led program afloat. 

Every life is precious.  Pets warm our hearts and our families. Stop by Cat Depot this Holiday Season to help spread some joy and share in celebrating our Miracles on 17th Street. With your continued support just think of what we can accomplish in 2020! www.catdepot.org 

Visit the Cat Depot Website

Impact 100 SRQ awarded $228,000 in strategic, high impact grants today to two local non-profits committed to improving the community. The group of local women philanthropists announced the 2019 grant recipients at Impact 100 SRQ’s annual meeting and grants award celebration today. The two Sarasota and Manatee nonprofit recipients were selected from five finalists recognized during the meeting. Both receive a grant of $114,000 to support the following “community changing” programs:

1. The Haven: Selby Preschool Expansion. This grant will fund the preschool’s expansion to accommodate more children.

2. Mothers Helping Mothers:  Mothers Helping Mothers is Expecting. This grant will go toward the purchase of the building they are currently leasing.

The final vote to select the two high-impact grant recipients happened after the five finalists delivered a 10-minute presentation to the Impact 100 SRQ membership. Members cast their live vote and the two $114,000 grant recipients were immediately announced. Through this collective giving, Impact 100 SRQ members demonstrate leadership and camaraderie as they cultivate community transformation together, said Jane Watt, Impact 100 SRQ chapter president. As of the end of today’s event, over 100 women have stepped up to contribute to 2020 grants. “That ensures we have the support we need to award at least one $100,000 grant,” Watt said  “But we think we can do even better. Our goal is to fund five $100,000 grants in 2020 making this more impactful as more women join this powerful new way of giving as one, allowing us to support more non-profits doing amazing work in our community. 

For 2020 membership, ongoing sponsorship or community partnership details visit www.impact100SRQ.org. 

Photograph courtesy of Cliff Roles

Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy (SMART)  received a $6,250 grant from funds generated through the sale of the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates. The grant will support therapeutic riding scholarships for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The Autism Services Grants Council awarded a total of $106,900 in grants to 22 Florida-based nonprofit organizations that provide services and programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities. The funds available through grant opportunities offered by the Autism Services Grants Council, are generated through the sale of the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plates. “SMART provides a unique, enjoyable and structured environment where our students work on improving physically, emotionally and cognitively. Goals based on life skills are set and realized.  We are grateful to the Autism Services Council for their support of the SMART therapeutic riding program”, said executive director Dee Danmeyer. “Thanks to their continued support, we’ll be able to provide scholarships to children with autism who are in need of our program.” Danmeyer stated that the grant will be used to provide 250 therapeutic riding sessions for 10 children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. 

In 2009, the Florida Legislature authorized the “Support Autism Services” specialty license plate and provided for the creation of the Autism Services Grants Council. The Council oversees a grants process to fund service programs for individuals with autism and related disabilities and their families throughout the state. This year through a partnership with the Indian River Tax Collector’s office the process of purchasing a specialty Autism License plate throughout Florida has been streamlined so it’s easier than ever to purchase your plate. You can go online or call the Indian River Tax Collectors office directly to purchase your plate from anywhere in the state.  

For more information on the Florida “Support Autism Programs” specialty license plate, please visit autismlicenseplate.com.  For more information about SMART’s programs, please visit smartriders.org. 

A holiday open house will be held Saturday, December 7 from 6 pm—8 pm at Peterbrooke Chocolatier. The open house celebrates the recent opening of its new University Park location. and 10% of the day’s proceeds will benefit Southeastern Guide Dogs, which will have dogs and puppies at the open house for plenty of tail wagging fun. Peterbrooke intends to make a splash this holiday season with the University Park shopping center decked out in holiday finery and the shop itself featuring many holiday gifts and treats including Peterbrooke’s signature chocolate covered popcorn. Other favorite items which may be discounted or free by playing games during the open house will include truffles, handmade caramels covered in chocolate, chocolate cherry cordials, chocolate covered cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, marshmallows covering chocolate and chocolate dipped potato chips. Strawberries and other items are hand-dipped daily with Peterbrooke’s own proprietary blend of milk, dark and white chocolate.

A live radio remote broadcast hosted by local DJ Meredith Michaels from 107.9 WSRZ, an iHeartRadio station. She will emcee the two-hour celebration, adding her personal brand of entertainment excitement and fun to the event. In conjunction with opening the new location, Peterbrooke owners Karen and Michael Andrews have joined the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance (LWRBA) and will host an official ribbon cutting at the new location the following week. Officials from LWRBA in attendance together with the Peterbrooke owners will present the donation check from Open House proceeds to Southeastern Guide Dog representatives during the ribbon cutting. “We were so thrilled to move into our new University Park location that we decided to throw a massive party and help a great cause at the same time,” said Karen Andrews. “We are looking forward to becoming acquainted with our new friends and neighbors in this community and we encourage everyone to stop in during this holiday season and say hello because we really do want to be your neighborhood chocolatier.”

The new Peterbrooke Chocolatier location in the Sarasota area is located at 8105 Cooper Creek Blvd., University Park, 34236. To contact the shop directly, call 941-330-7616 or visit peterbrooke.com. 

The Sarasota-based Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) and its Florida Swims Foundation announced they’re pursuing an appropriation from the State of Florida to fund childhood swim lessons. House Bill 4245 is a $200,000 Appropriations request for the Florida Swims Foundation to support and expand existing childhood swimming lesson programs in Broward, Hillsborough, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties. These counties have some of the highest childhood drowning rates in Florida. “Ultimately, the top priority for us and the Florida Swims Foundation is to reduce the drowning rate in our state and funding more childhood swimming lessons is the first step in the process,” said Jim Bingold, FSPA president. “Swimming is an essential life skill for children that will save lives.”Bingold mentioned this being just the first step in a larger effort from the Florida Swims Foundation and FSPA. The goal with their appropriation is to identify and multiply the effectiveness of childhood learn to swim programs that have the potential to be scaled up for statewide implementation. The Florida Swims Foundation (Swimming Pool Education and Safety Foundation) funds swimming lessons throughout Florida and the dissemination of safety information and materials. In 2017 in partnership with local Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) chapters, provided $27,095 in grants for swimming lessons. 

On Saturday, December 7, from 8:30 am-noon, organizations including Goodwill Manasota, SRQ Vets, Vets 2 Success, and VFW 3233 are holding a Christmas Toy Drive & Breakfast at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3233 (124 S. Tuttle Ave., Sarasota). The organizations are remembering the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor while working together to make a brighter day for veterans and families in need. The public is invited to attend the event, which will feature delicious food – sponsored by Detwiler’s Farm Market – including an omelet bar, home fries, sausage and bacon, a yogurt/oatmeal bar, fresh bread, and beverages. A new, unwrapped toy for a child or a $10 donation gets one plate of breakfast. All financial donations will be split between the four presenting organizations and go to their relief funds for veterans in need; all toys will be distributed by Toys-for-Tots. For more information, call Goodwill’s Veterans Services Program office at 941-355-2721, ext. 451. 

Affordable housing in Sarasota is a perpetual problem, even more so for young adults who have suffered hardships in life and found themselves without a consistent roof over their heads through no fault of their own. But more young people in this vulnerable group now have access to the financial support they need to secure safe, stable housing. The Youth Advocacy Team, a collaboration of funders and service providers working to build a system of care for homeless teens and young adults in Sarasota County, recently more than doubled the number of housing subsidies it offers. With funding from Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and several donors through Gulf Coast Community Foundation, the group is now able to subsidize housing costs for 23 local youth who otherwise would be homeless. “Investing in our young adults by offering them housing stability and support to complete high school and transition safely into adulthood is good for the future of Sarasota,” said Jennifer Johnston, senior community investment officer at Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Without community care, these youth could become our next generation of homeless adults.” 

The housing subsidies are administered by the Sarasota Housing Authority, while the room-rental subsidies are overseen by the Safe Children Coalition. Other partners in the Youth Advocacy Team include nonprofit agencies Harvest House, More Too Life, and Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, government representatives from Sarasota County and child welfare, and philanthropic funders Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation.