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SRQ DAILY Oct 1, 2016

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[Community]  An Outpouring of Generosity
Roxie Jerde, roxie@cfsarasota.org

It’s hard to believe that in just 24 hours our region was truly transformed by generosity during the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Giving Challenge on September 20 and 21. During that magical time, members of our community gave more than 63,000 gifts to support over 550 local nonprofits serving Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.

This outpouring of generosity almost doubled last year’s record, where more than $7 million was raised in the same 24 hours, but this year we had extra help. To strengthen the giving, The Patterson Foundation matched new donors 2:1 up to $100 per organization and returning donors 1:1 also up to $100 per organization. The Patterson Foundation’s generosity was the catalyst for the amazing total of $13.4 million dollars raised that will be invested back into our community to empower our nonprofit organizations to continue the good work they are doing. Manatee Community Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, William G. and Marie Selby Foundation and the Herald-Tribune Media Group also partnered with us to provide various prizes and incentives for nonprofits to come up with effective and creative Giving Challenge campaigns to inspire donors.

While these numbers make great headlines, the impact of the Giving Challenge goes beyond the dollars. Thanks to this opportunity, local nonprofits had the chance to build on existing donor relationships, and cultivate new ones. For the months leading up to the Challenge, it allowed them to come together as an organization, pull their board, staff, and volunteers together for an “all hands on deck, full steam ahead” approach to increase their capacity and make the most out of this almost too-good-to-be-true opportunity to raise unrestricted funding and matching dollars from The Patterson Foundation. In some cases, organizations partnered together to maximize their impact and outreach. 

Donors also benefitted from the opportunity. Not only did they have the guarantee that their donations would be doubled or even tripled, but our community had the chance to learn more about the organizations that are making our region a better place. Donors could also put a magnifying glass on the nonprofits they wanted to support by researching detailed information on a nonprofit’s governance, leadership, programs, needs, and financial information using The Giving Partner, an online, local resource free and open to the public to use 365 days out of the year. 

This year’s challenge also mirrored the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s theme of “Be the One.” This theme was inspired by the Community Foundation’s belief that each and every person has the potential to impact another person, a cause or community and truly tugged at the heartstrings of so many donors who believed they could be the one to make a difference during the Challenge. With the average gift being $90 and half of the more than 63,000 gifts being $50 or less, the Challenge proved to be an inclusive opportunity for everyone in our community to become a philanthropist, no matter their capacity to give.  

While the buzz of those 24 hours is slowly waning, the movement is not over. The difference this unrestricted funding will make for these organizations and those working right on the front lines of change will amplify over time. As foundations and local nonprofits take a larger role in defining a sense of community, belonging, direction, and higher purpose for their region’s citizens, the Giving Challenge has become an essential opportunity to spread the spirit of generosity in our community.  Follow the dollars contributed and be on the lookout for the stories and impact that will come out of the outpouring of generosity by our community. We truly thank everyone who took the opportunity to be the one to make a difference!  Aren’t we fortunate to call this amazing community home?

Roxie Jerde is president and CEO of The Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

[Workforce ]  State of Jobs Conference Inspires Futures
Chris Laney

In one month, the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will embark on its third State of Jobs Conference. An event that host over 400 high school students to help empower them to take control of their futures in regards to college and careers. When I begun my involvement in the Sarasota community, a common phrase often discussed was the “brain drain,” a term to describe smart students leaving our region in pursuit of better jobs in other states. From this notion that are most talented young people are leaving, I created the State of Jobs Conference. 

When the State of Jobs Conference was first created, I admit, I threw everything at the wall, which included a full three-day event with over 80 speakers and 30 community organizations coming together to make it happen. But through this experience we realized the importance of the “student day.” The legacy of State of Jobs begins with students discovering their passions and preparing for their futures. 

In 2015, we started surveying students to better understand their expectations and resources being provided to prepare them for their future. Through this experience, we discovered gaps between the education and business communities. Something we believe can be levitated through the State of Jobs Conference. This year, students can select from seven tracks including arts and culture, hospitality/tourism, business/entrepreneurship, healthcare, marketing, information technology and engineering/manufacturing. In addition to their track sessions, we have a keynote presentation, college readiness panel and professional prep session.  

Each year, the State of Jobs Conference rewards a scholarship recipient to a high school senior in partnership with the Community Foundation. Applications for this scholarship is currently underway. 

The Sarasota community has truly grabbed a hold of this event and has helped develop it into the event it is today. If you’re interested in learning more about the State of Jobs Conference, visit www.stateofjobs.org

Chris Laney is founder of the State of Jobs Conference. 



[KUDOS ]  Miracle Baby Birthday

This week, Nico Marquez celebrated his first birthday – a miracle milestone for this Sarasota baby born last year with a rare heart defect known as TGA (transposition of the great arteries). The two main arteries leaving his heart were reversed, which prevents oxygenated blood from reaching the lungs and can be fatal if not detected early and corrected with surgery. On Monday, his proud parents brought him to Sarasota Memorial Hospital to thank the nurses and doctors who cared for him and raised awareness about a simple newborn screening test that helped save his life. His September birthday is doubly significant, as it is Newborn Screening Awareness Month.  

Sarasota Memorial Hospital

[SCOOP ]  Sarasota BMX Supercross World Cup

The worlds best BMX racers and newly crowned Olympic Champions will be racing for the World Cup title at the UCI BMX Supercross World Cup finals in Sarasota on October 8 and 9. This is the only BMX racing series that follows the Olympic format, making it the main qualification event for the Olympics. The UCI BMX Supercross World Cup is broadcasted in 70 countries by over 35 broadcasters, with a potential global audience reach estimated over 900 million TV viewers. Tickets are on sale now.  

Sarasota BMX Supercross

[SCOOP ]  Center For Sight Aesthetician Services

Center For Sight, the premier vision, cosmetic and skin care practice in Southwest Florida, has expanded its clinical skincare treatment services to include permanent makeup and laser hair removal, using the state–of–the–art Elos Plus laser hair removal system. The addition of the new cosmetic procedures is a response to the growing needs of Center For Sight patients. Center For Sight currently offers a suite of corrective skincare treatments, including facial peels, laser resurfacing electrolysis microdermabrasion eyelash tinting and rejuvenating facial treatments.  

Center for Sight

[SCOOP ]  Power of Pink

Each October, Brighton supports breast cancer charities with “goods that do good campaign.” From now until October 31st, a $10 dollar donation will be made for each specialty bracelet purchase and 10% of the purchase price from Brighton’s limited edition leather accessories will also be donated to breast cancer charities. As part of #BrightonGivesBack, Power of Pink is one of Brighton’s many charitable initiatives which supports local organizations like the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System’s Breast Health Services through the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. Brighton aims to raise $400,000 for breast cancer charities with the 14th annual Power Of Pink program. 

Brighton

[KUDOS]  Miss Teen Sarasota Supports 5% Day

On September 10, Wholefoods Market teamed up with The GAP School for 5% Day during which five percent of that day’s net sales are donated to a local nonprofit or educational organization. The event included a special performance from local acrobats Marina Luna and Ella Storme along with live reggae from RC Ryan Carney. Miss Sarasota Teen USA 2017, Noelia Voigt, showed her support by greeting shoppers as they entered the store. The GAP school is one of Sarasota’s premier K–12 social skills, sensory integration and bully–free schools.  

GAP School

[KUDOS ]  Goodwill Manasota Donates Materials to "iconcept jr"

Goodwill Manasota partnered with the first–ever Art Center Sarasota “iconcept jr” runway event by donating gift certificates to participating youth artists and designers ages 8–18. Participants were able to secure unconventional materials at the consignment super center to help inspire and fabricate their creations. Iconcept jr was developed to challenge emerging artists and designers. Some of the young artists attended classes at the Art Center during the summer, learning how to create wearable fashions and accessories using materials other than fabric. The students worked directly with iconcept artists to learn first-hand, the intricacies of fashion design, construction creative thinking, and problem solving.  

Goodwill Manasota

[SCOOP]  PMP Alumni's Classic & Classical

For the first time ever, alumni Brian Hong, Max Tan Jenni Seo and Nico Olarte-Hayes of Perlman Music’s Sarasota Winter Residency program will come together as a Quartet for two unique performances. The first, at the Sarasota Classic Car Museum on October 13 includes selections by Haydn and Dvorak, followed by a meet and greet with the artists. On October 16 the Quartet will be at Selby Gardens for the Fall Garden Music Series. Repertoire will include the entire work of Haydn String Quartet, Dvorak String Quartet, as well as selections from Mozart, Fibich and Mendelssohn. Individually they have performed all over the world including Carnegie Hall, Berliner Philharmonie, New York Philharmonie and countless others.  

Perlman Music Program

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