The Sarasota Scene 4/27/18

Upcoming Events

Local Non-Profits Work Together to Save Lives
SunCoast Blood Bank and Cat Depot Team Up for Community Event
To celebrate the collaboration, a two-day blood drive and cat adoption event will take place at Cat Depot (2542 17th Street, Sarasota, FL 34234) on Friday and Saturday, April 27-28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All blood donors and adopters will receive a cat carrier with cat toys and treats as well as a $10 gas gift card.
SunCoast Blood Bank’s mobiles will be onsite to accept blood donations and members of Cat Depot’s Community Cat Team will be on hand to speak with attendees about the importance of spaying/neutering cats. In addition, attendees can win prizes by spinning Cat Depot’s Wheel of Fur-tune and pick-up discounts from Culver’s.
The Giving Challenge, presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, is an exciting 24-hour giving event supporting more than 630 nonprofits serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Giving is strengthened through the generosity of The Patterson Foundation. For more information, visit www.givingpartnerchallenge.org.

Recap: Selah Freedom Hosts Groundbreaking Ceremony
Julie’s Place and Graduate Housing are being added to the campus of Selah Freedom’s housing campus
On Monday, April 23, Selah Freedom conducted the groundbreaking ceremony of Julie’s Place and Graduate Housing in Manatee County. Both projects are being added to the campus of Selah Freedom’s long-term residential housing campus, which is the largest residential program for survivors of sex trafficking in the state of Florida.

Julie’s Place is a 3000-square-foot activity center dedicated to a counselor who counseled and helped survivors develop the tools to endure challenges and realize the potential in life. Julie’s Place is meant to provide a safe place for healing, says the anonymous donor who made the center possible.

Graduates of Selah Freedom’s Residential Program have received trauma therapy, a personalized education plan, job placement, mentorship, legal and medical aid, and more. Graduates are still connected to resources and community on the Selah Freedom main campus, while also having an opportunity to pursue their personal and professional goals.

Julie’s Place and the graduate house have been paid for by: Anonymous Donors, Elise Free of the Free Foundation, Rick and Nancy Moskovitz Foundation, Andy and Carol Chaikovsky, Dave and Pam Sowder, and Baycross Christian Family Foundation. 

Recap: Mote Recognizes Volunteers during Awards Ceremony
Mote Marine Laboratory honored 356 volunteers — including some who have served for 35 years — during the annual event on April 19, 2018.
During the ceremony, which filled Mote’s WAVE Center auditorium on City Island, President & CEO Dr. Michael P. Crosby praised the volunteers for bringing Mote’s mission to life.
“People I meet cannot believe we have so many volunteers, so actively engaged in Mote’s mission of world class marine research, education and public outreach,” Crosby said. “You’ve heard me say that Mote was founded on passion, partnership and philanthropy. You, our volunteers, embody all three.”
Read the full story

Barancik Foundation Launches Solar and Conservation Initiative
The launch and dedication of the “Powered by Barancik Foundation” Solar and Conservation Initiative takes place at Girls Inc. of Sarasota.
Barancik Foundation conceptualized the installation of solar panels and creation of an environmental education curriculum at Girls Inc. of Sarasota County. The solar panels will result in immediate financial savings for the organization, freeing resources for additional programming.
Monday, April 30, 2018 | 4:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, 201 South Tuttle Avenue, Sarasota

In the fall of 2017, Barancik Foundation awarded nearly $445,000 to cover the cost of the equipment and installation by local solar contractor Brilliant Harvest. The solar array includes 564 panels covering nearly 12,000 square feet of the roof and will produce an average of 24,500 kWh per month. It is estimated to save Girls Inc. more than $200,000 in utility expenses in 10 years or less.

Sold Out: 13th Annual Dick Vitale Gala
The goal of the gala is to raise over $3.5 million – $25 million total – for Pediatric Cancer Research
At the gala on May 11, over 65 celebrities will be attending this very significant event.
Vitale, ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster, will host the event at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. The star-studded evening will draw over 850 guests to support the goal of finding a cure for cancer. Net proceeds of the event will be awarded to pediatric cancer research.
For more information about the 13h Annual Dick Vitale Gala: www.dickvitalegala.org

2nd Annual Nurse’s and Medical Professional’s Appreciation Luncheon to be hosted at The Resort at Longboat Key Club
Invitation-only luncheon
Friday, May 11, 2018, 12 – 1:00 p.m.
Nominees and their advocates will enjoy a three-course gourmet meal prepared by the culinary staff at the resort. The event celebrates the outstanding efforts individuals in nursing and medical professions put forth to improve the lives of others.
Nominations can be submitted by medical practitioners, community health organizations and private individuals. Nominations must be received by end of day on May 7th. Attendees will be selected based upon the information provided in the submissions. Nomination forms can be found online at www.longboatkeyclub.eventbrite.com.

Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading Kicks Off Summer Book Challenge
The Summer Book Challenge Blastoff event will feature a keynote address from Neil Phillips
The Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading will officially launch the 2018 Summer Book Challenge during the Summer Book Challenge Blastoff Saturday, April 28. The event will bring together more than 60 summer camp providers and educators to prepare for the challenge and engage in hands-on learning experiences. Neil Phillips, co-founder of Visible Men Academy, will give a keynote address to inspire participants and explain the importance of summer learning.
     Booker High School, 3201 N Orange Ave., Sarasota
     Saturday, April 28, 7:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Last year, 22 summer camp providers participated in the Summer Book Challenge, and 918 students successfully read six books. This year, more than 60 providers from Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties are ready to participate.  

Recap: All Faiths Food Bank Honors Volunteers
The food bank was joined by 170 volunteers
On April 19, All Faiths Food Bank hosted its annual Volunteer Appreciation Celebration at the newly expanded distribution center located at 8171 Blaikie Ct. in Sarasota. The event celebrated the volunteers and recognized the impact of their efforts on fulfilling All Faith’s mission of ending hunger in our community. It also coincided with National Volunteer week, where organizations are encouraged to highlight volunteers and the difference they make in their communities.
Volunteers had the opportunity to share their stories and meet other All Faiths Food Bank staff members. Guests were served food and refreshments, followed by a small award ceremony and a tour of the distribution center.

Dynamic Duo Award –
Elaine and Bruce Burton
20 Years Served –
Johnny “Pete” Castleberry
Backpacking Award – Gary Crowell
Most Hours Served Award –
Roy Hassard
Mobile Farm Market Couple Award
– Bob and Joann Heaton
Cooking Matters Award –
Judi Kerzner
Sorting Room Award – Sam King
Backpacking Award –
Tom and Kathy Krazit
Mobile Pantry Couple Award –
Cindy and Gene Lodge
Cooking Matters Award –
Kathy Morrison
School Pantry Award –
John and Sue Nelson
Link-2-Feed Award – Pam Newberry
Community Partner Award –
Venice Yacht Club

Data Entry Award –
Allen and Eleanor Odden
Sorting Room Award –
Smokey Rademacher
Mobile Farm Market Award –
Olga Steinberg
Mobile Pantry Award – Annie Wells
Most Hours Served Award – Ellen Wilson
Outstanding Group Award –
Gan-Edan Temple Sinai
Backpack Supporters Award –
Gran Paradiso
Small Business Partner Award –
Integrity Wealth Management
Corporate Partner Award –
Miles Partnership
Community Partner Award –
Sarasota Sky Pilots
Community Pantry Award –
Sunshine Rotary
Top Food Drive Award – Temple Emanu-El

 

Meet the Minds: Sarasota Herald-Tribune Executive Editor Matt Sauer
Wednesday, May 23, 2018
11:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m.
The Sarasota Yacht Club
“Newspapering in the 21st Century: the age of Facebook, Twitter and ‘fake news'”
Click here for more information

League of Women Voters Speaker to Discuss the Electoral College
Breakfast meeting
Friday, June 8
8:45 a.m
Community Foundation, Fruitville Road
$5
Reservations at www.LWVSRQ.org

Business consultant Deb Mazzaferro will discuss the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, a possible replacement for the Electoral College. The 2016 election and Donald Trump’s unexpected victory was the fifth time in U.S. history that a presidential candidate lost the popular vote but won the electoral vote. The same results occurred in 1824, 1876, 1888, and 2000. Since at least 1971, legislators have debated proposals in Congress to abolish the Electoral College.