On January 20, Goodwill Manasota opened a new 3,650-square-foot attended donation center (ADC) in Nokomis. This is the twentieth of Goodwill Manasota’s ADCs. With this new location, Goodwill hopes to support growth in the area, provide a convenient option for residents to donate gently-used goods, and maximize retail revenues in support of its mission services. Additionally, community members can drop off donations at Goodwill’s retail stores, bookstores, and the veterans services office on north Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota. ADCs play a crucial role in supporting Goodwill’s mission of changing lives through the power of work. Each donation of gently-used goods dropped off at a Goodwill ADC is sold in one of its retail stores in Sarasota, Manatee, DeSoto and Hardee counties. The money from those retail sales funds jobs and related programs at Goodwill for workers with barriers to employment, free career services as well as education and training programs through Goodwill’s Community Resource Centers, and services to help veterans reintegrate into their communities, families and jobs. Revenue from Goodwill's retail stores help fund programs such as the Job Connection, American Veterans and Their Families program, the GoodPartner Coach program, and the Supported JobsPlus program.

Goodwill Manasota strives to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by helping people reach their full potential through education, skills training and employment. Goodwill programs provide services and support to individuals with various barriers to success, including intellectual and developmental disabilities, so they may exercise their right to lead fulfilling lives and participate fully in their communities. The nonprofit organization chooses to focus on abilities rather than see barriers to success. They believe that everyone deserves the right to live, learn, play and work in the community, with plentiful choices and opportunities.

By shopping at Goodwill Manasota you might find the perfect wardrobe with your favorite brands, one-of-a-kind treasures including paintings, designer jewelry and unique furniture offerings, all while supporting a good cause.

“The community’s support is critical to the work we do: 2,400 donations enable us to create one full-time job,” said Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Donn Githens. “We want to ensure the most pleasant and convenient experience for our generous donors and hope the Laurel Square ADC will become a regular stop for community members looking to support a great cause while diverting their gently-used items from area landfills.”

The Laurel Square Goodwill ADC is located at 8479 Precision Drive. 

Pictured: Thomas Bloomfield (left), assistant team lead, ADC operations with Jesus Baracaldo, ADC attendant. Courtesy photo/Goodwill Manasota.

For more information, including a listing of all retail locations and donation centers click here.

Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is hosting its signature, annual fashion show on Friday, March 31, 2023 at The Ritz Carlton, Sarasota. The 2023 event, SPARCC Runway: Timeless Treasures will be filled with nostalgia and fashion-forward styles as the organization showcases trends. As fashion fans know, trends tend to be cyclical, going in and out of style every few decades. Some trends that have come back into fashion in 2023 are — leather goods, clogs, all-things sheer, baggy slacks and jeans, sequins and sparkle, oversized blazers, feathered items and the color purple, which also happens to be the color for domestic violence awareness.

Guests will enjoy valet parking, a champagne toast, shopping in the event’s premiere, pop-up fashion boutique (featuring great deals on high-end fashion pieces as Gucci, Prada, Burberry, Lafayette 148, Missoni, St. John, Akris, Johnny Was, Escada, Coach, Anthropologie, Hugo Boss, Vince Camuto, Kate Spade, Ming Wang, BCBG Max Azria, Sam Edelman, 7 for for all mankind, Lilly Pulitzer, Johnston & Murphy, Jill McLaughlin, Carlisle, Etro, Banana Republic, Lululemon, and many more from SPARCC Treasure Chest), a delicious luncheon complete with wine service, and an unforgettable and fantastic runway fashion show. This year guests can also join in on our inaugural Fashion Show After-Party, and avoid the valet rush, with musical entertainment, for purchase beverage options and additional opportunities to shop the boutique. Registration and shopping begin at 10 AM, followed by the seated luncheon and fashion show at noon and the after-party immediately following. All festivities wrap-up by 2:30 PM. This year’s Fashion Show Chairs are: Vickie Smith, Event Chair; Darci Jacob, Fashion Chair; Coral Pleas (Cutting Loose Hair Salons) and Terry McKee (Nuovo Salon Group) as Honorary Chairs. As the owners of Sarasota’s most beloved hair salons the event’s Honorary Chairs are coming together to show their support of SPARCC, take a stand for survivors and help make Timeless Treasures an event to remember! All proceeds from the event support SPARCC’s free and confidential programs and services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. For tickets and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.sparcc.net/events or call 941-365-0208 ext. 110.

“SPARCC is incredibly grateful for the funds raised at our annual fashion show, and we are even more excited by the social awareness that is created when you gather over 500 in attendance,” said SPARCC President & CEO, Jessica Hays. “This fun event provides a great opportunity to share about the free and confidential programs and services SPARCC provides to survivors and their children, right here in our community.” 

Pictured: Guests will enjoy great deals on high-end fashion pieces at the SPARCC annual fashion show. Photo courtesy of SPARCC>

The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) has been awarded $80,000 in funds through the generosity through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Inc. and the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. These grants provide necessary funding for the updates and replacement of the nonprofit’s elevator to ensure code compliance and reliability. The Child Protection Center's mission is the prevention, intervention and treatment of child abuse and has provided services throughout Sarasota and DeSoto counties for over 42 years. The office in Sarasota is a state-of-the-art facility that houses the Child Protection Team (CPT) on the second floor. CPT is legislatively mandated and works with the DCF and local law enforcement on the cases of children who are suspected victims of physical and sexual abuse and neglect, and facilitates forensic interviews, medical assessments, and court testimonies. Doug Staley, Executive Director of the Child Protection Center, commented on the increasing need for child abuse services within the community.  The Child Protection Center’s mission is the Prevention, Intervention,  and Treatment of Child Abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For over 40 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida, and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC, visit www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277. 

Pictured: Child Protection Center located in downtown Sarasota. Photo courtesy of CPC.

As students across Sarasota County Schools learn that they have been accepted to colleges and technical training programs, many are now trying to find ways to pay for their education after high school. The Education Foundation of Sarasota County hosts a scholarship database on its website, which students can use to find numerous opportunities. The Education Foundation is also accepting applications for Jump Start Scholarships, which help low-income students pay for their first year of college or technical training. To help students more easily find ways to pay for education after high school, the Education Foundation hosts a scholarship database on its website. Students can use this database to find many local scholarships as well as some statewide and even national funding opportunities. The database is a one-stop shop for scholarships. The Education Foundation has established relationships with local organizations and partners so that it can provide accurate, up-to-date information that students can use as they search for scholarships that fit their needs, experiences, and backgrounds. There are currently over 50 scholarships listed, though numbers vary throughout the year. Through its partnership with Sarasota County Schools, the Education Foundation also provides regular updates to high school counselors and advisors, increasing awareness of new scholarship opportunities and upcoming deadlines in area high schools. The Education Foundation’s scholarship database can be accessed here: edfoundationsrq.org/scholarships. In addition to hosting its scholarship database, the Education Foundation is accepting applications for its Jump Start Scholarships. These scholarships, for low-income students, cover 30 credit hours at the Florida state college tuition rate, providing as much as $3,400 in support. Students can apply here: edfoundationsrq.org/jumpstart. Thanks to a generous gift, the Education Foundation launched these scholarships during the 2021 – 2022 school. The Education Foundation partners with the Florida Prepaid College Foundation to provide 75 low-income students with one-year Florida Prepaid College Foundation Scholarships. Students who receive a Jump Start Scholarship can attend free workshops in areas such as financial aid, life skills, and career explorations. These workshops help students get ready for life after high school. All low-income high school seniors in Sarasota County Schools with a cumulative, unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher who plan to enroll full time at a Florida technical college, state college, or state university are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply for a Jump Start Scholarships is March 31, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Students who need help completing their Jump Start Scholarship application can get one-on-one assistance through the Education Foundation. They can contact Heather Ferrigno, scholarship manager, at hferrigno@edfoundationsrq.org.

Manatee Community Foundation's board of directors has appointed Jennifer Abbott as the Interim Executive Director to lead the organization after current Executive Director Susie Bowie joins the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation as President/CEO. Jennifer brings more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to the role, and has served as the Foundation’s Director of Philanthropy since 2018. Prior to joining Manatee Community Foundation, Abbott was with Forty Carrots Family Center for 10 years, where she also led through a leadership transition as interim executive director. The board of Manatee Community Foundation has engaged the executive search firm Freeman Philanthropic Services to locate its next permanent leader. The firm is a woman-founded and led full-service firm specializing in retained executive recruitment for the nonprofit sector. Founded in 2002, FPS is international in its scope and client base. MCF board of directors Vice Chair Bob Turner is leading the search process. Manatee Community Foundation celebrates its 25th year partnering with residents to strengthen and enhance our community through philanthropy, education, and service—now and forever. The Foundation has awarded nearly $50 million in grants and scholarships. Learn more online at ManateeCF.org.

The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative, a nonprofit organization that uses the unifying power of the arts to nurture inclusion and diversity across the regional arts and cultural landscape, announces the exhibitions for its “2023 Visions in Black” initiative. This juried exhibition celebrating the work of talented artists of African descent who live in Florida, is presented in three different galleries in Sarasota and Manatee counties, February 2-25. The exhibitions are at: Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, 1226 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (Opening reception is February 2, 5:30-7 p.m.); Manatee Performing Arts Center, 502 3rd Ave W, Bradenton (Opening reception is February 3, 3-6 p.m.); and the Arts Advocates Gallery at the Crossings at Siesta Mall, 3501 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (Opening reception is February 4, 2-6 p.m.). Jurors Alyssia Lazin and Paul Toliver selected the work of 54 artists to exhibit and awarded three first place, three second place, and three third place winners—and two honorable mentions. Tim Yaeger and Marlon Tobias served on the curatorial submission committee and Mark Ormond, curator, will select which works will hang at each of the three galleries. The First Place winners are: Dandria Carey (Miramar), Destiny Luv (Riverview), and Frederick Woods (St. Petersburg). Second Place winners are Thomas Anderson (Tarpon Springs), Mynah Moody (Gibsonton), and Omar Richardson (Tampa). Third Place winners are: Gwendolyn Aqui-Brooks (Wesley Chapel), Donna Richardson (Wimauma), and Phyllis Anne Taylor (Winter Park). Honorable mentions went to Samantha Balikowa (Sarasota) and Allen Pettigrew (Riverview). First place winners received $700; second place winners received $500; and third place winners received $300. Michéle Des Verney Redwine, the founder and executive director of the Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative, says that the judges and curatorial committees representing Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative chose the artwork based on three major criteria that includes technical ability and understanding of the chosen medium; strong overall presentation; and work that encourages, challenges, influences, and communicates with the viewer. “Overall, we were looking for art that told powerful stories in an original and fearless way,” says Redwine. Redwine adds that, as of press time, judges selected the galleries for the first place wining art: D’Andria Carey’s winning work, “Reunion,” will be exhibited at the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County; Destiny Luv’s winning work, “Soft Stones,” will hang at Manatee Performing Arts Center; and Frederick Woods’ “Birth of a Child,” will be displayed at the Arts Advocates Gallery at the Crossings at Siesta Mall. Juror Paul Tolliver notes that he and his co-juror Alyssia Lazin were “very pleased with the depth of talent we saw in the submissions.” He adds that the exhibition’s focus on “generational similarities and differences adds a layer of fresh insights and excitement that’s rarely encountered in more traditional exhibitions. There is no question that this multi-venue exhibition is a must-see for not only the serious collector, but for all who enjoy the experience of art.” 

Sarasota Orchestra has received a $65,000 Strategic Partnership Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which comes from the Martha Leiter and Nancy Streetman Fund II. In addition to being a Title Sponsor for Sarasota Orchestra’s Dinner Series, the Community Foundation’s funding makes possible several programs and events in the 2022-2023 season, including the Parks and Partners concerts, the Sarasota Youth Orchestras program, the Special Concert & Gala event featuring Yo-Yo Ma, and the upcoming Free Family Concert of Peter and the Wolf. Thanks in part to the generous support of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the family-friendly On the Road with SO: Parks and Partners community concerts will continue this season. These outdoor performances are offered at no cost and feature either the Sarasota Brass Quintet or the Sarasota Wind Quintet in public parks and partner venues in Sarasota and Manatee counties. Alongside the concerts, the Community Foundation helps fund the Orchestra's extensive education offerings, including the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, which has been hailed as one of the most exemplary youth programs in the Southeast. The nationally acclaimed artistic staff, conductors and coaches have created an unparalleled learning experience for thousands of young musicians. Many become performers with major symphony orchestras throughout the country, including Sarasota Orchestra. On January 29, Chelsea Gallo, assistant conductor of The Florida Orchestra, will lead Sarasota Orchestra in a free, 60 minute concert featuring Peter and the Wolf, Prokofiev’s “symphonic fairy tale for children.” Other pieces include classical renditions of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty, Rossini's Cinderella and Nielsen's Aladdin. This special concert is made possible, in part, by the Strategic Partnership grant from the Community Foundation. To learn more about Sarasota Orchestra’s 2022-2023 season and programs, visit www.SarasotaOrchestra.org.

The Visible Men Academy (VMA) family extends deep gratitude to A. Louis Parker as he transitions from chief executive officer to an Emeritus Board Member. As a co-founder of VMA, Louis developed a vision that continues to guide VMA’s work today. Through his dedication and determination, a dream became a reality, and young boys continue to benefit from a unique, engaging experience that focuses on each child's individual academic and character development. In recent years as new needs arose, Louis selflessly stepped in to take a more active role. Drawing upon his leadership experience, he gave freely of his time and talents. He worked to recruit new leadership and staff who will continue to help the school fulfill its mission of providing boys with an outstanding academic, character, and social education in a nurturing school environment. Upon his departure at the end of 2022, Laura Randall, Sr. Director of Development and Janjay Gehndyu, Principal of VMA assumed the responsibility of overseeing the school's management. Both bring a tremendous amount of experience to their respective roles and will report directly to the VMA Board, chaired by Naiema Frieson. Having been a part of VMA from the beginning, Louis preserves the school's rich history and offers wonderful insight into its evolution over the years. As such we look forward to benefiting from the ongoing support of Louis as an advisor to VMA and an Emeritus Member of the Board. 

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens announced yesterday at its annual Chairman’s Circle Dinner that philanthropist Richard Matson has made a $1-million pledge bequest to support the Master Plan for its Downtown Sarasota campus. Matson and his wife, Cornelia, are already leadership donors to the project and were part of an initiator group of supporters who seeded a Capping Challenge with a dollar-for-dollar match to reach the fundraising goal for Phase One. Inspired by the continued progress of construction on the project’s first phase, which will be complete in less than 10 months, Matson chose to make an additional gift through his estate plan that is being recognized now toward Phase One. Richard and Cornelia Matson’s support for Selby Gardens goes back several decades, to even before they moved to Sarasota full-time in 1983. The couple started visiting the area after Richard’s mother and aunt moved to the city, and they first became involved with the Gardens during those visits. Cornelia Matson, a Selby Gardens trustee and co-chair of the campaign for the Master Plan, Innovating a Greener Future, joked that she “twisted his arm just a bit” when it came to her husband making an additional gift at this time. “I wanted him to enjoy more of the impact of his giving now,” she said. In addition to Selby Gardens, the Matsons loyally support several arts and culture, human services, and educational organizations in the Sarasota area. Richard is also a long-time benefactor of the University School in Cleveland, where he has funded an endowed faculty chair and major gifts to several building projects. Construction of Phase One of the Selby Gardens Master Plan is scheduled to be completed in October, with grand-opening festivities planned for early November. When it opens, Phase One will include, among other improvements: a new Welcome Center to properly accommodate and orient guests; a cutting-edge Plant Research Center, with a state-of-the-art herbarium, laboratory, and library; and the Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF), which will house parking, a garden-to-plate restaurant, and a plant and gift shop, all topped by a nearly 50,000-square-foot solar array. To date, Selby Gardens has raised more than $56 million for the Master Plan, with only about $600,000 left to raise for Phase One construction. The first phase accounts for more than half of the overall three-phase project. For more information about the Master Plan and to make a gift that will be matched through the Capping Challenge for Phase One, visit selby.org/support. 

Pictured: Richard and Cornelia Matson. Courtesy of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.