Philanthropy | Discovering The Florida Center: Eddie Perez-Ruberte & Aneddail Torres-Ayala

By Kaileia Suvannamaccha | April 2025

“Miracles happen here every day,” says Eddie Perez-Ruberte, Board Chair of The Florida Center. 

“We walked into a classroom, and this little two-year-old boy just ran up to us, hugged Eddie’s leg, and called him ‘Dada,’” his wife, Aneddail Torres-Ayala shares.

Eddie and Aneddail’s journey with The Florida Center began with a simple visit to Starfish Academy, The Florida Center’s preschool program. The warmth of that first interaction left a lasting impression. 

From then on, they started volunteering—helping during lunch, playground, and nap times—building relationships with both the children and the staff. Over the years, their connection to the center has only deepened, as their roles evolved from volunteers to key advocates.

An Unexpected Journey into Leadership

Eddie hadn’t initially envisioned himself in a leadership role. He had long admired former board chair Larry Lawman, but hesitated when encouraged to join the board. “I didn’t feel like I would do a good job or that I was the right person,” he admits. 

Wanting to be thoughtful about the decision, he took a board service class through United Way in Tampa, where his passion for philanthropy started back in Jacksonville in 2012.  He asked them if personal passion for an organization was a good enough reason to serve. Their response: “Absolutely, because you care about the organization.” Encouraged by that advice, Eddie finally joined the board in 2020 and Aneddail joined the gala committee—just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. 

One of the most impactful stories Eddie and Aneddail remember is of a little boy named Noah. When Eddie and Aneddail first met him, he couldn’t stand or crawl. His teachers at The Florida Center quickly identified that he lacked the necessary muscle mass for his developmental stage. To support his growth, they implemented a plan to work with him through occupational therapy, focusing on building strength and improving his mobility. “I kid you not, six months or less later, he was not just crawling, he was walking and running—like a little Tasmanian devil around the room. I couldn’t believe it,” Eddie recalls. “That same boy who couldn’t stand or crawl was now tumbling and laughing, full of happiness.” 

And that was just one instance that Eddie and Aneddail discovered how closely the teachers at The Florida Center observe the children and refer them for services like occupational or speech therapy. They were amazed that the preschool could identify needs that parents might otherwise not notice, providing early intervention. “It’s incredible because the earlier you start, the better it is, and that’s been proven,” he adds.

“The Best-Kept Secret in Sarasota”

Aneddail emphasizes how deeply personal their involvement is. “We love kids. We have a lot of nieces and nephews,” she says. “We couldn’t have children of our own, so this is where we put our energy.” 

Her and her husband’s passion for supporting children has led them to champion all of The Florida Center’s programs, from Starfish Academy’s early education to the Healthy Families initiative, which helps young mothers bond with their babies before birth. 

“Some mothers don’t even know how to hug or play with their babies because they never received that love themselves,” Eddie explains. Through home visits and guidance, these programs create generational change, breaking cycles of neglect and ensuring children grow up in nurturing environments.

Despite its transformative work, The Florida Center remains, in Eddie’s words, “the best-kept secret in Sarasota.” Still, he is determined to change that. “People need to know what we do here. This place changes lives.”

The Annual Winter Gala

One of Eddie and Aneddail’s favorite ways to spread awareness is through The Florida Center’s annual Winter Gala, a highly anticipated event on Sarasota’s philanthropic calendar. Bringing together nearly 300 attendees each year, the gala is more than just a fundraiser—it’s an opportunity to showcase the center’s mission and the profound impact it has on children and families.

“It’s not just about raising money. It’s about showing people what’s possible when a community comes together,” says Aneddail. “The majority of attendees are there because they truly care about the cause.”

Beyond its growing attendance, the event reflects the evolution of The Florida Center itself. “We’ve seen tremendous growth, not just in the gala, but in the programs we offer,” Aneddail notes. “New technology, more teachers, and additional centers have allowed us to serve even more children and families.”

While the gala is a cornerstone of their fundraising efforts, Eddie and Aneddail emphasize that nothing compares to experiencing The Florida Center firsthand. “If people could take an hour or two to visit us, they would realize just how impactful our work is,” Eddie explains.

Reflecting on the organization’s progress, particularly in the way they’ve embraced new technology to support the children’s development, Aneddail continues, “The leadership team and staff are some of the most committed people I’ve ever met.” 

“In the face of challenges, they don’t hesitate to give their best,” Eddie adds. “They understand the importance of what we do.”

An Ever-Expanding Mission  

Having recently visited the North Port location, Aneddail was equally as impressed. “The energy there was incredible. You could see how much it meant to the families,” she says.

Eddie adds that both locations share the same mission: To help children succeed. “The Florida Center is for any parent who wants their child to thrive in life,” he emphasizes.

The couple’s admiration and appreciation extend to the leadership team and staff, particularly Amy Robinson, the Director of Starfish Academy, and Laura Rivelli, Site Director in North Port. “Amy has really created something special,” Aneddail notes. “She’s introduced a new program that ties everything together. The classrooms, which were once simply decorated for kids, now have a purpose. It’s a beautiful thing to see.”

Eddie echoes her sentiment, praising the dedication of the entire team. “These people are angels. They’re miracle workers.”

Whether through fundraising, board service, or simply being present for the children, The Florida Center’s mission remains as vital as it is clear: to ensure that every child, regardless of their circumstances, has the opportunity to thrive. And as Eddie and Aneddail learned, miracles don’t always come in grand gestures—they happen in everyday moments. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION about The Florida Center, visit thefloridacenter.org.