Ask most Sarasota and Manatee County residents, and they will most likely agree when asked if they believe our community is extremely giving. It’s so rewarding to see professionals and businesses step up to the plate to further benefit the place we get to call home. 

Recently, two Argus Foundation members and commercial construction company heads, Jack Cox, president of Halfacre Construction Company, and Jeff Charlotte, president of J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp., worked on the construction of the Nancy Detert Residences at the Loveland Village in Venice. Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children, Jack, and Jeff spearheaded the effort to build a no-cost maintenance building for the nonprofit.

The duo organized the effort to get the $140,000 maintenance building donated through contributions, reduced or donated fees and miscellaneous items after hearing the project was over budget.

True to their word, Jeff and Jack contacted subcontractors they work with – many of whom agreed to participate to help bring the building for the Loveland Village to fruition. These subcontractors, including Mullet’s Aluminum Products and Babe’s Plumbing, provided in-kind services and donations to The Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children, the organization that organized the construction and also provided a donation for the project. Incidentally, the Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children was founded by much of the same group that founded The Argus Foundation.

The Nancy Detert Residences at the Loveland Village, a 42-apartment complex, opened last month. The residential community offers up to 94 adults with developmental disabilities supportive housing and access to an array of social services that support their inclusion into the community through social activities and supported employment.

Argus Foundation members are an integral part of the community. We seek to bring together business leaders – like Jack and Jeff, and so many others – from diverse industries and leverage their talents and experience to benefit the community. These members impact and improve the community through business leadership and also their philanthropy. We are telling many of their stories through an effort called #ArgusImpact.

Not a part of the original capital campaign or state funding for the Loveland Village, the much-needed storage building houses items like tractors, equipment and other maintenance items. Most importantly, however, is the fact that our local businesses pitched in and partnered together to work on project that benefited a worthy nonprofit organization that serves a need in our community.

These community gifts, which Argus members believes is more of a responsibility, go a long way in filling in gaps in government services and funding.  The Argus Foundation is an organization where its members know that giving back is the key to high quality of life and a flourishing community.

Christine Robinson is executive director of The Argus Foundation.