Help fill empty bowls
Selby Gardens Receives $60,000 Gulf Coast Arts Appreciation Grant
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens received a $60,000 Arts Appreciation Grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation to support two exhibits at the Living Museum. The grant, funded in part by the Mildred and Garrett Eelman Charitable Fund, also helps Selby Gardens provide year-long family memberships to underserved young people and their families through the My Garden program.
“We are grateful for this endorsement of our leadership in the local arts and culture community,” said Selby President and CEO Jennifer Romiecki. “Gulf Coast Arts Appreciation funding means we can connect more people to art and nature in innovative ways and we can welcome more families to our bayside sanctuaries who might not otherwise to visit.”
The Arts Appreciation Grant will help fund 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 will open at the downtown Sarasota campus of Selby Gardens in February. Gulf Coast also continues its lead sponsorship of “Seeing the Invisible”, which is viewable daily at the historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey.
Gulf Coast Arts Appreciation Grants support arts and cultural organizations that are major contributors to Sarasota County’s regional economy and cultural reputation. In total, the foundation has awarded $710,000 in arts appreciation grants to 13 nonprofit organizations this year.
CSC’s Angels program seeks community support for holiday
The Safe Children Coalition’s Angels Program is seeking community members who can provide vacation wish list items to host children and other vulnerable children in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.
“The holiday season provides the perfect opportunity to give back to those facing challenges in our communities,” said Safe Children Coalition President and CEO Brena Slater. “For foster children and other vulnerable young people, who have been through so much in their young lives, even a little kindness and compassion can go 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 can also be made to help support programs for homeless, abused and neglected children. Gifts are accepted until December 16. For more information or to request a wishlist, visit sccfl.org/angels, email angels@sccfl.org, or call 941-356-9445.
Children First Secures Funding for Changemaker Challenge
Children First, which serves hundreds of Sarasota County children and their families living at or below the federal poverty level, 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.
“The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has been a steadfast partner in helping us make our mission possible every day,” said CEO Philip Tavill. “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 service to the community and want to invest in the tools children and families need to reach their full potential. Any support will come with an overall fundraising goal of $1.2 million. Children First also received a $50,000 grant from Gulf Coast to support its children, families and staff members after Hurricane Ian.
Sarasota County Long-Term Recovery Group Plans Meeting
Community members, leaders, and stakeholders with expertise and a passion for helping Sarasota County recover from the devastation of Hurricane Ian are invited to attend the Long-Term Recovery Group Kick-Off Meeting. Sarasota County term on Dec. 13.
The group includes representatives from faith-based, non-profit, government, business and other organizations that work to help individuals and families recover from disaster. The meeting will be held from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 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 around…
The First Methodist Church holds a festival and fundraiser, “Eat Pierogi, Save Ukraine,” today from noon to 5 p.m. at 104 S. Pineapple Ave., Sarasota. The event will include live music, dancing and cultural workshops. Donations of warm clothing and children’s toys will also be accepted. All proceeds will support Ukrainians and Ukrainian refugees.
• The 31st Annual Englewood United Methodist Church Community Christmas Dinner is scheduled for Dec. 25 as a drop-in and pick-up event in the church parking lot at 700 E. Dearborn St., Englewood. Delivery will be available for people confined to their homes. Donations are appreciated but not required. Info: 941-474-5588 Monday to 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.
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