COMMUNITY BRIEFS: Tidewell drive; Alzheimer's walk; Boys & Girls Clubs; crypto gift-giving

Foundation seeks holiday gifts
for grieving children, families

The Tidewell Foundation is seeking community partners to help make holiday wishes come true for those who need it most by providing gifts for grieving children and families enrolled in Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program.

Each holiday season, the Tidewell Foundation asks these children to share their gift wish lists. Tidewell then works with individuals, businesses and community groups across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties to ensure that each child and family receives their gifts.

All items should be unwrapped but labeled with the recipient’s name and delivered by Dec. 10 to either of the following locations: Tidewell Blue Butterfly program, 6800 Professional Parkway, Lakewood Ranch; and the Tidewell Family Grief Center, 4151 37th St. E., Palmetto. Donors can also sponsor a family or multiple families through cash donations made by Dec. 1. To provide gifts or cash donations, or for more information, visit Giving@TidewellFoundation.org or call 941-552-7546.

Walk to End Alzheimer's
raises nearly $200,000

With approximately 1 in 37 Floridians living with Alzheimer's, hundreds gathered at Ed Smith Stadium on Nov. 20 for the Walk to End Alzheimer's Sarasota, raising nearly $200,000.

“Dementia is a cruel disease in that it separates us from ourselves and the ones we planned to spend our final years with,” said Laura Lynch, chairperson for Walk to End Alzheimer’s Sarasota. “I walk for my family, for my clients and for us – in the hope that future generations won't have to face Alzheimer's.”

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans are living with the disease. In Florida, there are more than 580,000 with the disease and 527,000 caregivers. The Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Visit alz.org or call 800-272-3900 for more information.

Boys & Girls Clubs names
leader for teen initiatives

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties recently promoted Suriya Khong to vice president of teen initiatives. Khong will play a key role in developing the organization’s infrastructure to elevate and expand the impact of the teen program.

Khong joined the Boys & Girls Clubs in January 2017, when only one full-time staffer was dedicated to teen programming. Khong’s strategy and vision helped the program expand to include seven full-time staff dedicated to skill-based programming specializing in college and career advising, entrepreneurial education, health, leadership development, vocational training and more.

“We’ve managed to create an environment that truly feels like family and that celebrates the unique individuality of each Club teen and Club staff,” Khong said.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties have served local youth for more than 50 years. For more information, visit bgcsdc.org or call 941-366-3911.

Safe Children Coalition
to accept cryptocurrency

The Safe Children Coalition, a nonprofit that serves Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties, will accept charitable donations in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies throughout its end-of-year fundraising campaign, beginning with #CryptoGivingTuesday next week.

Since 2019, #CryptoGivingTuesday has fostered a culture of philanthropy among cryptocurrency users, a demographic that exceeds 220 million worldwide. Donations will support Safe Children Coalition programs and services such as adoption and foster care, youth prevention and diversion services, HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters), and more.

For more information, contact Jacqueline House, Safe Children Coalition’s director of philanthropy, at jhouse@sccfl.org or 941-225-6166.

Around and about ...

Boy Scout Troop 77 will collect food and donations on behalf of the Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program during today's Venice Holiday Parade.

Spectators are invited to bring nonperishable food to the scouts marching in the parade. Troop 77 will also accept cash donations that will be used to purchase grocery gift cards and other essentials for local food pantries. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Visit veniceholidayparade.com and mayorsfeedthehungry.org for more information.

• A book sale to benefit CHAPS Food & Hygiene Pantry is set for Dec. 4 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Venice, 1971 Pinebrook Road. The books, ranging from 25 cents to $1, include children's, young adult, cookbooks, art, travel and current fiction and nonfiction.

• Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, 1100 S. McCall Road, Port Charlote, is offering free carry-out dinners on the first Monday of each month. The Dec. 6 menu includes baked ham, scalloped potatoes, and peas. Visit GulfCoveChurch.com; email GulfCoveUMC@gmail.com; or call 941-697-1747 to reserve a meal.

• The Professional Network of Sarasota, 3713 Bahia Vista St. in Sarasota, meets on Tuesdays at Der Dutchman Restaurant from 12:30-1:30 p.m. to help businesses to grow and expand. Call Jeff Deehr for more information at 941-961-4265.

• The Manatee Genealogical Society will host a virtual seminar on Jan. 29 from 10 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. featuring experts who will focus on elusive ancestors. Joshua Taylor, author, lecturer, and researcher, will present, “Bridging the Gap: Finding Ancestors in the U.S. between 1780 and 1840.” Other presenters include Judy G. Russell, Karen Stanbary, and Gena Philibert-Ortega. For more information and to register, visit mgsfl.org.

• The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation Spring Grants Cycle to support not-for-profit organizations opens on Wednesday. The not-for-profits are required to be primarily located in Sarasota and Manatee counties. For information, visit selbyfdn.org.

Compiled from community submissions

Master Gardeners

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: COMMUNITY: Tidewell gift drive; Alzheimer's walk; SCC accepting crypto;