"You cannot function without connectivity in this world," says Mark Sharff, Guardian ad Litem and mentor for Take Stock in Children in Manatee County. For this reason, Sharff has been going door-to-door for the past 7 or 8 years to pick up idle laptops from people who no longer use them so that they might be used by children in need. This year, The Manatee School for the Arts donated 963 laptops through The Children’s Guardian Fund, which provides laptops to children in foster care, and Take Stock in Children Manatee which provides mentors, resources and college scholarships to economically disadvantaged students. According to Sharff, securing so many laptops from one single location was a record-breaking win this year.

Sarasota Technology User's Group (STUG) has a mission to rehab the old laptops and prepare them for use for a child in need. A team of volunteers with the organization diligently wipes each hard drive as a primary step to refurbish the computers. All the laptops are then loaded with software, including Microsoft Office Suite under free license from Microsoft Corporation. Underserved children are then able to use the computers for school work, which helps them to reach or stay on grade level. David Mancuso, the director for IT at the Manatee School for the Arts, said the computers could no longer run the security software they needed for testing. Otherwise the computers were in good shape so he wanted to make sure they went to groups that could use them. Since the refurb group began the program, the tech volunteers have refurbished 19,863 computers. The recycling program keeps computers from ending up in in landfills while simultaneously addressing community connectivity needs. Any that are not used are properly recycled, and always the information on any unit is highly protected with a high-tech data wiping process.

"Our partners at STUG and generous community members who donate used technology are transforming the lives of our local foster children by making sure they can compete academically,” said Svetlana Ivashchenko, executive director for the Children’s Guardian Fund, one of the beneficiary organizations of the laptop refurbishing effort. “Having the right tools matters and our kids are so appreciative of the donated laptops."

Sharff is happy to collect equipment donations from individuals, businesses and organizations such as churches and service clubs. To donate a computer, contact Mark Sharff at (941) 374-1107 or msharff@gmail.com. 

Pictured: Mark Sharff (far right) and other volunteers provide laptops to children who are greatly appreciative. Photo courtesy of Mark Sharff.

Following the presentation of Dance Theatre of Harlem by The Sarasota Ballet recently, The Sarasota Ballet offered a special, complimentary matinee performance that was specific in welcoming those who may not have the opportunity to experience live dance. TSB’s outreach program, Dance For All collaborated with Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative led by Michele Redwine, and Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) led by Vickie Oldham, to provide over 450 complimentary tickets reaching more than 35 community partners. The entire weekend was another example of The Sarasota Ballet’s continued commitment to community engagement. Seeing the Mertz Theatre at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts filled with so much diversity was not only exciting, but crucial for everyone to realize the importance that the arts make in communities every day. Community audience members stretched from age 5, who were seeing their first live dance performance, to a Birthday Club whose members were celebrating 80+ years young. In addition to the performance, Artistic Director and founding member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, Virginia Johnson spoke to the audience and community partners during the event with a crucial message, “There’s a commonality that we all need to plug into and I feel like the arts are the thing that brings people together.”  The Sarasota Ballet has been at the forefront of community engagement in Sarasota since the inception of Dance – The Next Generation, founded by Jean Weidner Goldstein over 30 years ago. With the completion of The Sarasota Ballet’s 2020 Strategic Plan, TSB Board and Executive Leadership identified the need to unify and expand its already numerous community engagement programs with goals of building long-term relationships with community partners and invested audiences. One of their six-pillar programs offers deeply discounted or complimentary tickets to The Sarasota Ballet Season performances, providing access for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the beauty of dance. Since the start of this new year alone, The Sarasota Ballet’s significant impact and commitment to the community has already resulted in over 700 tickets to community partners through Dance For All – with every ticket an opportunity to reach someone who has never had access to this incredible art form before. The Sarasota Ballet’s program Dance for All is sponsored by a generous grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Pictured: Dance Theatre of Harlem Company in Passage - Photo by Ruben Kappler.

On Friday, Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, formerly Van Wezel Foundation, held its 21st annual Inspiration Gala, raising more than $1.3 million that will support the Foundation’s education and community engagement programs and planning for the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center. "We are grateful to our friends and contributors who generously support our mission to create and sustain a vibrant performing arts center, advance education, and enrich communities by inspiring minds through the power of the arts,” said Jim Travers, Chair, Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation Board of Directors. “As the Van Wezel Foundation transitions into the Sarasota Performing Arts Center Foundation, we can assure you that education will remain at the heart of everything we do.” The evening commenced with a cocktail reception and was followed by an elegant dinner, and inspiring program honoring local educators Stevey Jones, the recipient of the 2023 Appleton Arts Integration Award, and Mayra Ocasio Cuadrado and Kate Walsh, the recipients of the 2023 Van Wezel Foundation Merit Scholarships. “It’s all about the kids,” said Appleton Award Winner Stevey Jones. And indeed it was, with $1.3 million raised for the Foundation’s mission. Following dinner, guests enjoyed a rocking performance from music legend and Grammy® Award-winner Kenny Loggins at the acclaimed Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. A post-performance dance party brought the evening to an unforgettable close. Susan Travers and Kathy Martella served as co-chairs for this year’s Inspiration Gala alongside a host committee of devoted benefactors. 

Pictured from left to right: Susan Travers and Kathy Martella Photo: Cliff Roles Photography

A full list of partners of the 2023 Inspiration Gala can be found here

The crises of the past few years – COVID, rising food and housing costs, and devastating storms – have demanded constant adjustment and innovation. All Faiths Food Bank has come to understand that the needs are ever-evolving and go far beyond putting food on the table. Last year, All Faiths Food Bank sourced, managed, and distributed food to provide more than 18 million meals, but the growing numbers and stories from the front lines told us that more had to be done. Unless the deeper issues that lead to food insecurity are addressed, the goal of ending hunger cannot be achieved. All Faiths Food Bank has launched a progressive new strategic plan that provides bold new ideas, approaches, and partnerships to address not just food insecurity but its systemic, root-level causes. Food insecurity is complex, always shifting, and not bound by time. The best way to understand its complexities and root causes is by learning from people who are directly affected. At the core of this five-year strategic plan is centering our neighbors’ experience and ensuring that everyone in the region understands that hunger is not something that happens to someone else – it is in our neighborhoods, perhaps even right next door. The strategic plan process began in January of 2022 by assembling expert research, conducting an extensive landscape assessment and gathering firsthand community experience – over 100 contributors participated. The strategic plan task force included the AFFB senior leadership team, immediate past chair and strategic plan task force chair Ben Hanan, and task force members Dennis Doughty, Keith Monda, Paul Cantor and current board chair Terri Vitale.

There are four goals comprising the new strategic plan: Advance greater insight into how to meet the unique needs of our neighbors experiencing hunger. Build a reimagined supply chain that holistically integrates the preferences and nutritional needs of our neighbors and establishes innovative new methods to distribute food. Position food and wrap-around services as important steps in opening new pathways to financial stability and economic security for our food insecure neighbors. Invest in deep partnerships to create a region-wide movement that recognizes the role we can all play to end hunger. The Strategic Plan includes ongoing measurements to ensure actions are having the desired impact, with adjustments being made along the way. These activities are part of AFFB’s commitment and investment in program evaluation. “Our new Strategic Plan is a catalyst for change within the food bank and across our region,” said AFFB’s CEO Sandra Frank. “Our mission to end hunger is at the center of everything we do. The four goals will work in concert to move our purpose forward and invigorate the impact we can create with our partners in Sarasota and DeSoto counties.”

Michael's On East was the place to be for Easterseals Southwest Florida’s annual Abilities Shining Luncheon, presented by Ginger Judge on Thursday, March 2. Attended by 370 Suncoast guests, the event raised more than $500,000 for Easterseals Happiness House. It was the largest luncheon amount raised to date! Guests were treated to original artwork made by Easterseals students and entertainment by children’s band Everyone Rocks. Live auction was led by restaurant proprietor Michael Klauber and items included a Tampa Bay Lightning game package, a vacation at the Beach Side Paradise on Anna Maria Island, a week at a farmhouse in Ashville, North Carolina, and dinner for 12 at Michael’s Wine Cellar. Since 1946, Easterseals Happiness House has supported individuals with disabilities to live their best lives and be engaged in their communities. Every dollar received ensures that these individuals have the therapies, training, support, inspiration and love they deserve, so they can enjoy the full world of access, opportunities and life choices that await them ahead. The Abilities Shining Luncheon was devoted to celebrating the people and programs at Easterseals Happiness House, from Early Childhood Development, K-12 Education and Veterans and First Responders to the Autism Center of Excellence, Therapy Services and Family Support Services. To learn more about Easterseals Happiness House, visit https://easterseals-swfl.org/.  

Pictured: Michael Klauber (right) conducted the live auction with an assist from Tom Waters and 12-year-old Chance. Photo by Cliff Roles.

A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN | The Sarasota Orchestra makes strides with their world premiere of Sarah Gibson's "to make this mountain taller," March 2023. 

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