COMMUNITY BRIEFS: Gulf Coast Foundation team grows; Chess duel; Neal donations; CPC grant

Chess without borders

Team expansion, growth
at Gulf Coast Foundation

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has announced the promotion of a key staff member and the addition of a philanthropic steward and a donor relations staff member.

“We are thrilled to announce Kelly Borgia’s promotion within Gulf Coast Community Foundation," Gulf Coast president and CEO Mark Pritchett said. "Kelly has contributed to our entire team, year after year, in meaningful and dynamic ways. We also welcome Sasha Hausman Pyatte and Priscilla Boward to the team.”

Borgia, who joined Gulf Coast in 2018 after 10 years at Asolo Repertory Theatre, was named strategic engagement manager. Borgia previously served as a philanthropic coordinator and administrator for philanthropy services. She is also responsible for managing Gulf Coast’s arts appreciation and sponsorship grant programs. Borgia earned a bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Central Florida.

Sasha Hausman Pyatte was named philanthropic adviser. She most recently served as director of advancement and strategic partnerships at the Van Wezel Foundation. Priscilla Boward joins the team as philanthropic administrator after serving several nonprofits in Michigan.

Take Stock in Children
gains $10,600 donation

Neal Communities recently donated $10,600 to Take Stock in Children of Manatee County to be presented to a high school senior during their 2023 graduation to help pay for college.

“This program is designed to make a difference in our community and the lives of our students," said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities, a community partner and supporter of Take Stock in Children of Manatee County since 2017.

Take Stock in Children offers individual mentoring for students who are deemed high potential in low-income families and has awarded 777 scholarships since the mid-1990s. For information, visit manateetakestock.org.

Neal Communities also recently donated $5,000 to multiple community organizations, including $1,000 to Lakewood Ranch High’s baseball program; $500 to Venice Vikings football and cheer program; $1,500 to the Venice Moose Lodge’s annual golf tournament to benefit Special Olympics; $1,000 to Braden River High's Black Pearls Dance Team; and $1,000 to TEDxBradenton.

CPC receives $5,000 grant
for mental health services

The Child Protection Center has received a $5,000 grant from the Venice Golf and Country Club Foundation to support mental health services for children experiencing trauma from abuse.

“It is through the support of compassionate partners such as the VGCC Foundation that we are able to make these necessary adjustments and ensure that each child in our community has access to CPC’s vital services," CPC executive director Doug Staley said. "No child should ever have to wait to begin their journey of healing after suffering abuse. We are very appreciative of the VGCC Foundation’s generosity.”

The support will assist the ongoing expansion of CPC’s therapy programs as the nonprofit takes on additional staff to meet the rising demand for child abuse treatment services. For information, visit cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.

Community Day School
welcomes new educator

Hershorin Schiff Community Day School recently welcomed Rinat Heiman as new Hebrew and Judaic studies instructor. Heiman previously served in this position at Temple Sinai from 1994 to 2013 and as a private bar and bat mitzvah teacher.

“I believe understanding where people come from is vital for communication and that the vibrant culture and traditions associated with Judaism have the power to enrich the lives of every student," Heiman said. "Learning another language has the power to improve a student’s attitude towards different cultures.”

Community Day School, which serves students in preschool through eighth grade, opened its new campus on Aug. 16, 2021. Visit communityday.org or call 941-552-2770 to learn more.

Village On The Isle golf
fundraiser nets $95,000

The Village On The Isle Foundation's third annual Golf Classic at the Founder’s Club in Sarasota raised more than $95,000 for charity in April.

"We are grateful for all our sponsors, including major supporters Coastal Property Group, RLPS Architects, Ziegler Capital, and Atlas Insurance, who helped continue to support this annual event for us,” said Doug Feller, CEO of Village On The Isle.

The Village On The Isle Foundation is committed to community, supporting retired clergy and missionaries and enhancing programs and education that impact the quality of life. Visit VillageOnTheIsle.com or call 941-484-9753 for more information.

Around and about ...

Part 5 of "Ukraine: What's Next?", an online series hosted by the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, will present "Hearts & Minds" on June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon.

For information and free registration, visit sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/ukraine. The series is supported by the Air Force Association Florida West Coast Chapter, Cyber Florida, Global Interdependence Center, USF Institute for Public Policy and Leadership and USF ResearchOne.

• Two Sarasota County Weimaraners are headed to the 146th annual Westminster Dog Show to be held June 20-22 at the Lyndhurst estate in Tarrytown, New York. Xena (Moonstone Magic Force of Nature) is a 12-month-old female owned by Barbara Cook. Jackson (Moonstone’s Silver Bullet Explorer) is a 4-year-old male owned by Cheri Harner and Barbara Cook.

Compiled from press releases and community submissions

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: COMMUNITY: Gulf Coast Foundation team grows; chess exchange; CPC grant