JFCS raising 'VOICES' at annual fundraiser; RCLS names new director; Bowls of Hope bonanza

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·4 min read

A Thanksgiving tradition

The Safe Children Coalition recently held its 21st annual turkey distribution for families enrolled in SCC programs and partner agencies that serve low-income families. This year, 500 families received full turkey meals, including sides and pie. "The community has contributed to this effort each and every year," said attorney and longtime event sponsor Dan Dannheisser. "Making a difference for 500 families is just amazing." The meals were provided by Publix at a discounted cost.

JFCS Suncoast to celebrate
'VOICES' at annual fundraiser

The JFCS of the Suncoast will celebrate 36 years of service to the community with a new kind of fundraising event on Dec. 4 at the Sarasota Yacht Club that will blend stories of impact with live entertainment.

The event, "VOICES: The Stories of JFCS," will feature clients and the community sharing stories of challenges, change, and hope. Participants include a 12-year-old Booker Middle School poet, an cappella group from Booker High School, a pianist playing the works of Holocaust composers, and a magician.

“VOICES is 50% cocktail party, 50% theater, and 100% fun,” said Ron Katz, JFCS chief of development. “But more importantly, it’s an opportunity to share the stories of our clients, donors, volunteers and staff, as we share the impact that JFCS has on our community throughout the year.”

The JFCS provides mental health counseling and health and human services. For information, visit jfcs-cares.org and jfcs-cares.org/voices. For sponsorships and tickets, contact Katz at rkatz@jfcs-cares.org or 941-366-2224, ext. 142.

RCLA picks Sarasota native
as new executive director

The Ringling College Library Association recently named Lauren Kurnov as the organization's new  executive director, effective Dec. 1, succeeding Stephanie Grosskreutz, who will retire at the end of the year.

“We feel incredibly fortunate to have Lauren stepping into the leadership role with her passion for our mission,” RCLA board chair Emily Walsh said. “Lauren is a great fit to lead us, and her close ties to the community will be instrumental.”

A Sarasota native, Kurnov has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and education sectors in various leadership roles. Kurnov worked at USF Sarasota-Manatee as assistant VP of student success and at New College's Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence and Student Affairs. Kurnov has a doctorate in education from USF and is a Florida Gulf Coast Leadership Institute alum.

Kurnov will head RCLA's Town Hall Lecture Series, which kicks off Jan. 17 with Nobel Prize winning journalist, Maria Ressa. For information, visit RCLAssociation.org.

All Faiths Food Bank Bowls
of Hope raises $140,000

The All Faiths Food Bank Bowls of Hope fundraiser returned on Nov. 13 at Ed Smith Stadium after two years off because of COVID and raised $140,000 to support the distribution of holiday meals for neighbors in need.

Nearly 900 community members attended the event, which was chaired by Patti Wertheimer. Sponsors included Keith Monda and Veronica Brady, Ron and Jo Jadin, Linda Monda, Al Pezzillo, and Dona and Sam Scott. Nearly 40 of the region’s finest restaurants and caterers participated.

“The challenges of the past few years have been nonstop and the need for assistance continues to be overwhelming," All Faiths Food Bank CEO Sandra Frank said. "We are so grateful for the community’s support.”

All Faiths expects to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and 3.6 million holiday meals this season. For information, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org.

Church of Redeemer helps
Lee Schools recover from Ian

Sunday School students, families, and teachers at Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota united recently to collect more than 200 items for Lee County schools in need after Hurricane Ian.

The items included paper, pencils, markers, crayons, pencil sharpeners, books, and games. Every item that was donated was on a Lee County teacher’s wish list. The Lee County School District estimated that Hurricane Ian caused schools at least $150 million in damage.

“What touched my heart most was that our kids could so easily imagine what it would mean to lose their school due to the storm – or what it would be like to welcome into their school so many kids displaced by the storm," organizer Jacki Boedecker said.

In 2021, Redeemer donated over $500,000 to nonprofits in Sarasota and throughout the world. To learn more about how Redeemer is coordinating Hurricane Ian relief and how to get involved, visit RedeemerSarasota.org/HurricaneIanResponse.

Around and about ...

Temple Emanu-El, 151 McIntosh Road, Sarasota, will showcase the artistic talents of its congregation at an Artist Showcase on Dec. 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Benderson Family Social Hall. The event will feature paintings and drawings, pottery, collage, textiles, glass, sculpture, photography, woodworking, and original printmaking. Info: sarasotatemple.org.

• The Sertoma Club of Venice will host their annual “Breakfast with Santa” on Dec. 3 from 8-11 a.m. at the United Way of South Sarasota County, 4242 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice. Children can have a photograph taken with Santa Claus before enjoying a pancake breakfast with family members.

• VITA, an IRS program that provides free tax prep to low-to-moderate-income taxpayers, is seeking volunteers to process tax returns in South Sarasota County. Volunteers will receive tax law training to become IRS certified. Visit uwssc.org or call the United Way office at 941-484-4811 for information. VITA sites will open in January.

Submissions by Melanie Hayes, Stephanie Grosskreutz, Sharon Kunkel, Lana Mullen, Rabbi Elaine Rose Glickman, Teri Andrews.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: JFCS to raise 'VOICES' at fundraiser; RCLA; Bowls of Hope bonanza