Spotlight | SPARCC Auxiliary: A Spark of Hope, Healing,and Empowerment

By Tom Reese | Photo by Nancy Guth | March 2025

Beginning in 1983, a group of dedicated community members recognized the need to increase awareness and support for Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) and its mission and came together to form the SPARCC Auxiliary. 

What began as a small gathering quickly grew into a dynamic network of volunteers committed to advocacy and fundraising. Today, the SPARCC Auxiliary continues to play a crucial role in spreading awareness and organizing various fundraisers to support SPARCC’s life-changing work.

The nonprofit organization itself was established in 1979, as the state-certified center for domestic and sexual violence, serving both Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. It now has its main outreach center in downtown Sarasota, satellite offices in Venice, North Port, and Arcadia, and an Emergency Shelter (with pet kennel) operating 365 days a year in an undisclosed location. The mission is to provide a safe haven and promote empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence. 

Services from SPARCC include: 24-hour helpline, advocacy, safety planning, children’s assessments, 24-hour hospital response, therapy, legal services, economic empowerment, support groups (with childcare offered), housing stability, access to clothing and household items from SPARCC Treasure Chest, and community education. All programs and services are free and confidential.

Apart from the traditional methods of philanthropy such as direct financial donations, the SPARCC Auxiliary works together throughout the year to create exciting events that raise money and social awareness for SPARCC such as annual fashion shows, golf tournaments, luncheons and more. The largest annual fundraiser produced by the Auxiliary is the SPARCC Runway Fashion Show. This year’s theme, Sarasota Seascape – Tides and Trends, will take place on March 28, 2025, at 10 a.m. at The Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, where over 600 attendees will enjoy shopping in the pop-up Treasure Chest fashion boutique, a delicious luncheon and an amazing runway fashion show. Tickets are available for only $225, and a portion of the cost is tax deductible. (www.sparcc.net/sparcc-runway-fashion-show).

“The fashion show fundraiser started in the 80’s, but not quite on the same scale as going to the Ritz-Carlton,” said longtime SPARCC Auxiliary Board Member, Nancy Raymond. “The first one I can remember was at someone’s home around the pool and we had $10 boxed lunches. It’s certainly turned into a major event, being hosted at The Ritz Carlton for over 15 years now.” 

All fashions used in the show come from the SPARCC Treasure Chest resale store.

There you can find designer clothing, jewelry, furniture, home accessories, antiques and collectibles, all at bargain prices thanks to local donors who help support the mission through donations. All proceeds from the store go directly to help fund SPARCC’s free and confidential programs and services. In addition, SPARCC survivors receive vouchers to shop at the store free of charge for the items they need. 

The Treasure Chest is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 1426 Fruitville Rd. They are always accepting new donations to keep the inventory fresh, and they are always looking for volunteers like Nancy to help run the store. 

The growth of the Auxiliary and its collective accomplishments is outstanding. The sky’s the limit for what it will achieve in the future. 

“These women have been growing their group and these events to become really successful fundraisers for our organization for over 40 years,” said Mary Ellen Mancini, Vice President of Philanthropy for SPARCC. “Every member is a volunteer, none of them are paid, and all funds go directly to SPARCC. It’s really such a lovely group of people.”

As it stands, there are around 200 members of SPARCC Auxiliary, but there is always room for more. Becoming a member is simple, you pay an annual $35 membership fee ($50 for a family) and participate as much or as little as you’d like. Whether it’s checking in attendees at a golf tournament, building safe kits for survivors needing advocacy at local hospitals, or fully diving into event planning, there is something for everyone regardless of the amount of time they can give. 

“It’s a great way for people that want to give back to our community to be involved in a supportive group that is always doing great things,” said Mary Ellen. “Membership cost is so reasonable and there’s no pressure on members. Nobody counts how many times you attend an event or participate. It’s just a really nurturing environment designed to get more people involved in our cause.” 

Aspiring members are encouraged to attend monthly coffee meetings to connect with current members. This is also a great opportunity to learn more about SPARCC and how one person can make a huge difference in our community. 

“It’s a perfect time to come and find out how they can get involved,” said Nancy. “Our coffee meetings are somewhat of a social event, but there is always an educational element as well. Last month, the SPARCC Shelter Director spoke to the group and answered questions. Whether you’re a new or an old member, it’s always interesting and we’re always learning more.” 

Sadly, almost everyone has a connection to someone that is a survivor of domestic violence or sexual assault. Members of SPARCC Auxiliary do not need to be experts in the field of crisis care, nor do they need to know how to talk to survivors or deal with specific cases to be involved and give back. 

“As a member of SPARCC Auxiliary, you are an ambassador for the organization,” said SPARCC Auxiliary President, Bonnie Van Overbeke “Participation helps us increase social awareness around domestic and sexual violence and about all the great work SPARCC does in our community. And it also helps the organization to raise critical funding too.” 

The growth of the Auxiliary and its collective accomplishments are truly outstanding. There really is no limit for all that they plan to achieve for the betterment of SPARCC both now and in the future. If you would like to learn more about the organization or have interest in becoming a member of SPARCC Auxiliary, please visit www.sparcc.net/sparcc-auxiliary/ for more information.