Gulf Coast helps Selby Gardens support underserved families; SCC 'Angels' need assistance

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read

Helping to fill Empty Bowls

Neal Communities donated $5,750 as a presenting sponsor at the 22nd annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser for Meals on Wheels PLUS in November. More than 40 Neal staff members participated. “From the artists who handcrafted the bowls, to the chefs who prepared the food, to the volunteers working the event, to the sponsors who donated funds, the outpouring of support was heartwarming,” Neal marketing manager Christine McKelvey said. Neal Communities has donated more than $7.5 million to charities and causes throughout Southwest Florida.

Selby Gardens receives $60,000Gulf Coast Arts Appreciation Grant

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens has received a $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support two exhibitions at The Living Museum. The grant, funded in part by the Mildred and Garrett Eelman Charitable Fund, also helps Selby Gardens provide yearlong household memberships for underserved youth and their families through the My Garden program.

“We are grateful for this endorsement of our leadership in the local arts and cultural community,” Selby president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki said. “Gulf Coast’s Arts Appreciation funding means we can connect more people to art and nature in innovative ways and we can welcome more families to our bayfront sanctuaries who might not otherwise be able to visit.”

The Arts Appreciation Grant will help underwrite the Jean & Alfred Goldstein Exhibition, "Tiffany: The Pursuit of Beauty in Nature." The show will highlight the innovation of American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany and opens at Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota campus in February. Gulf Coast also continues its Lead Sponsorship of "Seeing the Invisible," which is on view daily at the Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.

Gulf Coast’s Arts Appreciation Grants support arts and cultural organizations that are leading contributors to the regional economy and cultural reputation of Sarasota County. In all, the foundation awarded $710,000 in Arts Appreciation Grants to 13 nonprofit organizations this year.

SCC's Angels Program seekscommunity's holiday support

The Safe Children Coalition's Angels Program is seeking community members who can provide holiday wish list items to foster children and other vulnerable children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

Brena Slater is president and CEO of the Safe Children Coalition.
Brena Slater is president and CEO of the Safe Children Coalition.

"The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to give back to people who are facing challenges within our communities," Safe Children Coalition president and CEO Brena Slater said. "For foster children and other vulnerable youths, who have been through so much in their young lives, even a little kindness and compassion can go such a long way."

Families, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions can sign up for a wish list at sccfl.org/angels, and then bring the gifts to the Safe Children Coalition. Monetary donations also can be made that help support programs for children who are homeless, abused, and neglected. Gifts are being accepted through Dec. 16. For more information or to request a wish list, visit sccfl.org/angels, email angels@sccfl.org, or call 941-356-9445.

Children First gains fundingfor Changemaker Challenge

Children First, which serves hundreds of Sarasota County children and their families living at or below the Federal Poverty Level, has received a $50,000 grant through the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the Jarrett Family Fund to support the agency’s $600,000 Changemaker Collective Challenge Match.

“Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been a steadfast partner in helping us make our mission possible each and every day," CEO Philip Tavill said. "Over 25 years, Gulf Coast and its donors have provided more than $4.9 million in direct support to those we serve."

The Changemaker Collective is an initiative for leaders who go above and beyond in serving the community and wish to make an investment in the tools children and families need to achieve their full potential. All support will be matched with an overall goal to raise $1.2 million. Children First also received a $50,000 grant from Gulf Coast to support its children, families, and staff members following Hurricane Ian.

Sarasota County Long Term Recovery Group plans meeting

Community members, leaders, and stakeholders with an expertise and passion for helping Sarasota County recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian are invited to attend the Sarasota County Long Term Recovery Group Kickoff Meeting on Dec. 13.

The group includes representatives from faith-based, nonprofit, government, business and other organizations that are working to assist individuals and families recover from disaster. The meeting will be 3:30-5 p.m. at the Emergency Operations Center, 6050 Porter Way, Sarasota.

Registration is available at bit.ly/3Y7tG0e or by calling the United Way of South Sarasota County office at 941-484-4811. All are welcome to attend the meeting and learn more.

Around and about ...

First Methodist Church is hosting a festival and fundraiser, "Eat Pierogi, Save Ukraine," today from noon-5 p.m. at 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. The event will include live music, dancing, and cultural workshops. Donations of warm clothing and toys for children also will be accepted. All proceeds will support Ukrainians and Ukrainian refugees.

• The 31st annual Englewood United Methodist Church Community Christmas Dinner is scheduled Dec. 25 as a drive-through and pickup event in the church's parking lot at 700 E. Dearborn St., Englewood. Delivery will be available for homebound individuals. Donations are appreciated but not required. Info: 941-474-5588 Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Submissions by Christine McKelvey, Greg Luberecki, Sharon Kunkel, Evan Ackerman, Jaiden Johnson, Ilona Sakovich, Caroline McCoy.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Selby Gardens receives Gulf Coast grant; SCC 'Angels' need assistance