Thunder By The Bay raises $267,000 for Suncoast Charities For Children

Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read
The 24th annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival raised $267,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children. From left, Suncoast Charities executive director Lucy Nicandri, board members Simon Williams, Maureen McAuley, Greg Linehan, Bob Morrison, and director of special events Lisa Baer.
The 24th annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival raised $267,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children. From left, Suncoast Charities executive director Lucy Nicandri, board members Simon Williams, Maureen McAuley, Greg Linehan, Bob Morrison, and director of special events Lisa Baer.

The 24th annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival held this past February at the Sarasota Fairgrounds raised net revenue of $267,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children, exceeding last year's net revenue of $225,000.

In addition to the traditional three-day festival, other events included a sporting clay tournament, a “Taste of Thunder” whiskey tasting event, and a Thunder By The Bay “Rocks The Runway” Fashion Show.

“We are extremely grateful for the generous support received from festival sponsors, individual donors, vendors, dedicated volunteers, and everyone who attended the festival," Suncoast Charities for Children executive director Lucy Nicandri said. "We look forward to sharing some exciting announcements soon, as we prepare to celebrate the festival’s 25th anniversary next February.”

Award winners at the Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival included, from left, Tom Bender, Scott Kessler, Rick and Wendy Rossiter, Bob Poneleit, Ali Davidson, Greg Linehan, Bob Morrison, and Daniel Harley Phillips.
Award winners at the Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival included, from left, Tom Bender, Scott Kessler, Rick and Wendy Rossiter, Bob Poneleit, Ali Davidson, Greg Linehan, Bob Morrison, and Daniel Harley Phillips.

Some of the funding allocations for Suncoast Charities for Children made possible because of the festival include:

• Sports equipment for Special Olympics Florida/Sarasota County.

• Wellness equipment and laptop computers for Loveland Center.

• Preshool Summer scholarships and funding support for the “Growing Healthy Kids” Program to feed at-risk children at The Haven.

• Playground equipment at The Florida Center for Early Childhood.

• Preschool cribs and toddler cots at Children First.

• Baseball batting helmets for Venice Challenger Baseball.

• Funding to the Suncoast Foundation-supported installation of new hurricane proof windows, doors; and air conditioning units for The Florida Center’s Sarasota and North Port campus locations; renovations at The Haven campus in Venice; upgrades to Children First campus in Venice.

During a recent sponsor and volunteer appreciation reception, special recognition awards also were presented:

• Volunteer Of The Year Recognition Awards: Ali Davidson, Scott Kessler, Bob Morrison, Bob Poneleit.

• Commitment & Dedication Award: Maureen McAuley.

• Outstanding Leadership Award: Greg Linehan, board president.

• Founding Sponsor Award: Rossiter’s Harley-Davidson.

• Outstanding Photography Award: Tom Bender.

• Traveler’s Recognition Award: Daniel Harley Phillips.

The 25th Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. For updates, visit thunderbythebay.org.

Suncoast Charities for Children provides direct financial support to nonprofit agencies in support of programs and services to children, teens, and adults with special needs throughout the Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto, and Charlotte county areas. For more information, visit suncoastcharitiesforchildren.org.

Submitted by Lucy Nicandri

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Thunder By The Bay raises $267,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children