Brunch on the Bay returns to USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, sets fundraising record
Brunch on the Bay, among the most popular social events of the season, made a big splash on its return to the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus on Sunday with a record fundraising effort for scholarships.
The total is expected to surpass $500,000, exceeding the fundraising effort in 2019 when the annual event was last held before of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This event is all about community and coming together with USF to support this community,” said Marrie Neumer, associate vice president of advancement at USF Sarasota-Manatee. “What this shows is that this region cares about higher education and supporting local students, and that is evident from the tremendous level of support we saw at Brunch this year.”
The two-hour gala hosted roughly 600 guests who were free to mingle and enjoy an array of 20 food stations staffed by the finest local restaurants and caterers in the region. USF Spirit Squad cheerleaders were on hand to greet guests and the USF Jazz band provided entertainment. Also attending were USF student Ambassadors, USF mascot Rocky and state and local dignitaries. Elizabeth Moore served as Brunch chairperson.
“This is such a wonderful event because it really demonstrates the connection this campus has to the Sarasota-Manatee region,” USF Sarasota-Manatee campus Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook said. “Brunch on the Bay is about supporting students – the community’s students – and I think it is so inspiring to come together to provide support to these students so they can contribute and become our future leaders. In most cases, our students come from the community, and most will remain local to provide continued support to this area once they graduate.”
Celebrating its 27th year, Brunch on the Bay showcases USF’s role in providing a high-quality, affordable education to students who become valued members of the workforce and vibrant contributors to Sarasota-Manatee. Since 1994, the event has hosted more than 23,000 supporters whose contributions have provided more than 2,000 student scholarships.
“The reason I support USF is quite simple: Higher education changes lives," Moore said. "It changes the direction of individuals, families, entire communities and nations. It opens up hearts and minds and ... prepares us to tackle global challenges. All of these transformations and aspirations are happening right here at USF, on this campus and in our community."
Also attending the event were USF interim President Rhea Law, President emerita Judy Genshaft, Foundation Board Chairman Jose Valiente, Foundation CEO Jay Stroman, and members of the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus Board, including chairman Rick Piccolo. USF Federal Credit Union served as the event’s title sponsor.
“Brunch on the Bay says so much about the special relationship between the USF Sarasota-Manatee campus and the surrounding community,” Law said. “This event truly underscores the fact that USF is your university.”
The fundraiser also provided a healthy dose of fun and camaraderie.
“What I like most about Brunch on the Bay is that we’re supporting students from our community, but we’re also coming together to connect and share this time of fellowship,” said Campus Board member and alumna Dr. Anila Jain, who was among the first organizers of Brunch on the Bay. Jain will serve as co-chairperson of next year’s Brunch, along with her mother, Dr. Mona Jain.
“There is really something special about Brunch,” she said. “I’ve been to many events around the community, but there’s nothing like Brunch on the Bay. It holds a special place in my heart, and I look forward to it every year.”
Submitted by Rich Shopes
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Brunch on the Bay at USF Sarasota-Manatee raises over $500,000
