Pines of Sarasota Foundation Announces Transformational Donation for the Pines of Sarasota Campus

Pines of Sarasota Foundation has received a transformational donation from the Esther & Harold Mertz Foundation that will fully fund the construction of a new 90 bed skilled nursing and rehabilitation building on the Pines of Sarasota campus, as well as a new building for Pines’ Child Care and Learning Center.

The skilled nursing and rehabilitation building will be connected to the current skilled nursing facility and will replace a number of the campus’ aging buildings. The campus kitchen and laundry will move to the new facility allowing for the consolidation of campus services. The new Child Care and Learning Center will replace two buildings currently in use, combining all child care services under one roof. Planning is under way with groundbreaking anticipated in early 2020.

This project is the next phase in a campus master plan currently under development by Pines of Sarasota President and CEO Mike Ward. This campus transformation, which began in 2018 with the renovation of the Assisted Living Facility, is designed to update facilities and enable Pines of Sarasota to continue to serve our community’s seniors for decades to come.

Nancy Close, Trustee of the Mertz Foundation said, “The mission of the Esther & Harold Mertz Foundation is to show kindness and compassion toward those in need of aid in a manner that will provide hope, restore independence and bring happiness and gratitude into their lives. Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s mission fits precisely with what Mrs. Mertz envisioned.”

Pines of Sarasota Foundation President, Janet K. Ginn said, “We are truly humbled by the Mertz Foundation’s trust in Pines of Sarasota Foundation. And we are sincerely grateful to Esther M. Mertz for her belief in the power of hope and compassion and for her vision and generosity in creating the Esther & Harold Mertz Foundation.”

Now in its 8th decade of service to our community, Pines of Sarasota is committed to fulfilling its mission: caring for seniors, including Pines’ residents who outlive their financial resources. Pines of Sarasota Foundation is proud to support the mission, vision and future of Pines of Sarasota.

For more information, contact Janet K. Ginn, Pines of Sarasota Foundation President, at jginn@pinesfoundation.org or 941.955.6293.