Forty Carrots Family Center Receives Challenge Grant After Event Cancellation

Forty Carrots Family Center announced Wine, Women & Shoes scheduled for November 20, 2020, was canceled and will return November 2021, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.

Eager to help Forty Carrots offset this year’s lost event revenue, Getzen Family Charities responded swiftly with a $10,000 challenge grant. Through July 31, every dollar donated at FortyCarrots.org using code WWS will be matched, up to $10,000.

Forty Carrots CEO, Michelle Kapreilian stated, “It was with great consideration and a heavy heart we made the decision to cancel Wine, Women & Shoes 2020. Our concern for children and families’ well-being has never been stronger. The event is our largest fundraiser and we are grateful to Getzen Family Charities for offering this match to support Forty Carrots programming in the absence of the event.”

Wine, Women & Shoes is an award-winning fundraiser best known for The Signature Luncheon, an all-day event of girlfriend fun, international wines, and a high-energy stage show featuring fashion and entertainment. Last year over $710,000 (net) was raised for Forty Carrots.

Wine, Women & Shoes 2020 co-chairs, Melissa Tomasso and Julie Weintraub agreed to stay on for the 2021 event. “We look forward to bringing our community together again and making 2021 the Best. Day. Ever. Our goal is to raise critical funds so Forty Carrots can provide mental health, early childhood education, and parenting education that is so desperately needed by families today.”

Tables/Tickets/Sponsorships will be available Spring 2021. Contact events@fortycarrots.com or call 941.365.7716 ext.318 to receive event notifications.

Wine, Women & Shoes Sarasota benefits Forty Carrots Family Center. Since 1993, Forty Carrots Family Center has served families in Sarasota & Manatee counties, ensuring good beginnings that last a lifetime for children through its expertise in Parenting Education, Mental Health Services, and Early Childhood Education. Rated 4-Stars by Charity Navigator, Forty Carrots serves families from all walks of life, with 93 percent of families receiving services free of charge. Visit www.fortycarrots.org for more information.

Photo credit: Left to right, Melissa Tomasso, 2019 & 2021 Co-Chair, Michelle Kapreilian, Forty Carrots Family Center CEO, Co-Chair Andrea Paul, 2019 Co-Chair. Photographer: Peter Acker