Residents at a local senior living community are giving back in a big way to the caring staff members who help them every day.

Freedom Village of Bradenton residents have been raising scholarship funds for eligible staff members to attend college classes, seek advanced degrees or certificates, and pursue other professional development opportunities–something they have been proudly doing for over 25 years. Recently, in order to encourage more staff members to take advantage of the scholarship program, Freedom Village increased the maximum amount a student may receive up to $5,000 per semester, or $15,000 per year. Currently, there are currently 17 staff members leveraging this opportunity.

“This scholarship has enabled me to continue my education financially and pursue my registered nurse (RN) license faster than I would have been able to without it,” said Shelleatha Smith, a licensed practical nurse (LPN) unit manager. “I love working here; we have a great team, and I hope to move up in the company. I’m grateful to be a part of this community that cares so much for its residents and staff members, too.” Other health center staff members who have benefitted from the opportunity include Liz Mackey, RN Wound Nurse, Laura Eisch, RN Assistant Director of Clinical Services, Jacob Rossi, LPN, Sylvia Garcia, LPN, Hailey Valverde, LPN, and Jacob Castellanos, C.N.A. While many are utilizing the scholarship to pursue careers in the medical field, some, like Adrianna Sanchez, have plans to pursue an MBA, while others, like Lee Dilts will begin work on a bachelor's degree in the fall. Cecelia Cortez, who was an attorney in her country before coming to the United States, is currently a C.N.A. using the scholarship fund to complete her education as a paralegal.

Resident Betty Yackels has been managing the boutique at Freedom Village for about seven years. She started selling some of her clothes and jewelry from her own apartment and enjoyed it so much that she inspired others to do the same and donate the proceeds to the scholarship fund.

“I try to encourage the staff to continue their education because it gives me great pleasure to see young people succeed,” she said. “Our residents really enjoy shopping and buying new things, and we all want to help the kids who otherwise may not be able to pursue their education. I always wanted to own my own shop and never had the opportunity. Now I do, and it’s for a great cause.”

Beginning next month, the Boutique will be open for members of the general public to shop once per month. Prior to COVID, residents would invite friends and family to come "thrifting" each month. They will have the opportunity to do so once again on June 4. For more info about this contact Betty Yackels at 941-755-8187. In addition to shopping at the boutique, those interested in contributing can also make financial donations directly to the Associate Scholarship Fund.

Aside from the scholarship fund, Freedom Village residents show their philanthropic spirit by participating in several fundraising activities to support the Alzheimer's Association, Southwest Florida chapter. In the last year or so, they have held a casino night, a carnival and bake sales. As one of the 2023 corporate sponsors of last year's Walk to End Alzheimer's at Benderson Park, Freedom Village was recognized as one of the top fundraisers, donating more than $8,500 to the organization. 

Pictured: Freedom Village of Bradenton resident, Betty Yackels. Photo courtesy of Freedom Village of Bradenton.

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On Wednesday, April 24, Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources received a donation of $65,000 from the Friends of Phillippi Estate Park, a chapter of Friends of Sarasota County Parks (FOSCP). This contribution is earmarked to support the ongoing 1916 historic Keith Farmhouse Restoration Project, a future interpretive center that will show the history and natural environment of the park. The donation brings the total to more than $200,000 that has been provided to the county from the Friends of Phillipi Estate Park in support of improvements to protect and enhance the historical and cultural significance of Phillippi Estate Park. April 24 also marked the conclusion of the Phillippi Farmhouse Market for the season. It was a poignant moment as Fred and Grace Whitehouse retired from their roles as managers of the Phillippi Farmhouse Market. However, they will continue their volunteer work serving on the FOSCP Board. During their 13-year tenure as market managers, they expanded the Phillippi Farmhouse Market from 19 vendors to more than 50 vendors, offering a wide array of produce and plants, prepared foods and specialty and sustainable items. Net proceeds from the market are donated to the renovation of the historic Keith farmhouse. The Whitehouse’s legacy will continue as Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources resumes management of the Phillippi Farmhouse Market next season, November 2024-April 2025. To learn more about the Phillippi Farmhouse Market, Phillippi Estate Park or the Friends of Sarasota County Parks, call 311 or visit www.sarasotacountyparks.com. 

Children First is proud to announce that longtime volunteers and supporters Stephanie & Allen Hochfelder were recognized for their commitment to improving the lives of children and families. In a ceremony held at the agency’s main campus, the Purple Crayon classroom was dedicated in their honor. For more than a decade, Stephanie has been an integral part of the classroom, volunteering her time and forming lasting bonds with both children and educators. The Hochfelders have emerged as key pillars of support within the community. Their enduring dedication has been amplified through a substantial multi-year investment and a significant legacy commitment, which will help bolster the organization's endowment for years to come. “Stephanie and Allen exemplify the essence of community spirit. We are thrilled to recognize them for their continued impact on our most vulnerable children and families. Through their generosity and compassion, Stephanie and Allen represent what it means to put children and families first, and we are immensely grateful for their continued support," says CEO Philip Tavill. As the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, Children First serves nearly 1,100 individuals daily at multiple sites across Sarasota, Venice, and North Port. The agency has been ranked in the top 1% of more than 1,800 programs nationwide and is a four-time designated Head Start Program of Excellence. Like the Hochfelders, you too can be a part of this incredible journey by making a difference in the lives of our community’s most vulnerable. Volunteer today! 

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As the summer months approach, All Faiths Food Bank - the area's only food bank and largest hunger relief organization - is facing a shortage of volunteers to help distribute food to our neighbors facing hunger. The organization will need around 800 volunteers to cover approximately 12,000 volunteer hours for its 60 planned outdoor mobile food distributions, but is well short of that mark at this time.  For more about All Faiths Food Bank or to learn how you can be a hands-on “Hunger Hero” this summer, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org/volunteer. 

Pictured: Dedicated All Faiths Food Bank volunteers Lois Lewis (middle) and Fay Donaldson (right) supply a community member with food during a Mobile Pantry Photo by Harry Sayer

Florida Studio Theatre (FST) is proud to announce the launch of multiple initiatives this month through The Recovery Project aimed at utilizing the arts to combat addiction and promote recovery. Developed over the past year in collaboration with Live Tampa Bay, these initiatives represent an ongoing focus in addressing addiction within the performing arts community. One of the cornerstone efforts unveiled today is the release of a comprehensive HR video tailored to guide performing arts organizations in fostering recovery-friendly workplaces. This resource, featuring puppeteering by esteemed Henson Board Member Raymond Carr, and generously supported by technical assistance grants from the Opioid Response Network, provides practical insights and strategies for organizations seeking to create supportive environments. The video, available for free, serves as an accessible tool for organizations of all sizes, aiming to bridge the gap between intention, and action in promoting recovery advocacy within the workplace. Recovery Friendly Workplace Video: https://vimeo.com/934479853. 

“I have found myself in symbolist paintings,” notes Ruth Schmidt from Budapest, Hungary, whose work “Friendsheeps” won the People’s Choice award at Embracing Our Differences’ 2024 outdoor exhibitions celebrating kindness, respect, and inclusion at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park and St. Petersburg’s Poynter Park. “My wish is to achieve paintings that speak the unspeakable. My goal is not only copying the visible world, but also capturing the intangible world, including affection, child-like faith, human cooperation, God-to-human relationship, grief, hope, love, loss, pain, and humor. They are based on my own experiences, situations, and concepts, and because each of them is a small piece of my soul, these are the closest to my heart.” Schmidt received a $2,000 cash award for her work. 

Pictured: Ruth Schmidt with her work, Friendsheeps. Photo courtesy of EOD.

May is National Foster Care Month and All Star Children's Foundation is urgently seeking compassionate individuals and families in the regional community to become foster parents, responding to a critical shortage of foster homes for children displaced from their families due to abuse or neglect. In the United States, there are over 391,000 children and youth in foster care. Approximately 20,000 youth age out of the foster care system each year without a permanent family. Currently, there are approximately 115 foster homes in the Sarasota area, a significant decline from nearly 200 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decreasing trend poses a serious challenge, as more foster families are needed to accommodate the rising number of children requiring care. 

Pictured: All Star Children's Foundation campus.

The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is excited to announce that funding for the design concept phase of the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center will be entirely provided by the Foundation. This private funding represents the Foundation's contribution to the 50/50 public-private partnership with the City, ensuring a collaborative and successful development process. This marks a significant step forward for the project and demonstrates the organization’s unwavering commitment to creating a world-class performing arts center for the Sarasota community that will inspire minds for generations.Renowned architecture firm Renzo Piano Building Workshop, in collaboration with local Architect of Record Sweet Sparkman, is set to embark on the design concept of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center immediately following the City of Sarasota's approval of the Piano contract, which is scheduled for consideration later this month. This path forward is similar to the successful approach taken during the 2018 Master Planning process for the Bay Park’s design concept phase, also initially funded through philanthropy.  

Bank of America Client Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee has awarded Mothers Helping Mothers $35,000  in grant funding to increase their capacity to serve families in need in Sarasota County. The span and scope of  services provided at Mothers Helping Mothers have skyrocketed in the past year necessitating additional space.  This project will add 1,700 square feet to the building by creating a new second-floor area and provide for the  installation of an elevator. For over 30 years, Mothers Helping Mothers (MHM) has been supporting local families in need by fostering  resiliency, self-sufficiency, and family stability. Mothers Helping Mothers is a volunteer only staff providing programs  and services to over 2,500 families and 5,000 children annually.  “MHM expanded our footprint and services in 2020 with the purchase of our building, but now, with the increasing  number of families seeking our assistance, and the significant number of donations and support materials  necessary to support our mission, we desperately need additional space,” states Cheri DeVries, Executive Director  at Mothers Helping Mothers. She adds, “We are so thankful for the grant from Bank of America Client Foundation  which will help us achieve our goal.”  

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The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation (LWRCF) is pleased to welcome M/I Homes of Sarasota’s Village Nautique to its Builders Give Back program. Through this program, which launched in May 2023, builders make a $100 donation per closing to the LWRCF in the name of the new homeowner. M/I Homes of Sarasota joins the other builders currently participating in the program: Anchor Builders, AR Homes, Homes By Towne, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, Neal Communities, Neal Signature Homes, Pulte Homes, and Stock Luxury Homes. The program is further supported by Lakewood Ranch Communities, which donates a matching $100 per closing to the LWRCF. The Builders Give Back program benefits the LWRCF by developing engagement with homeowners in their community and introducing them to local philanthropy, which in turn will help create support for the LWRCF into the future.  The mission of the LWRCF, which is financed fully by residents and businesses, is to enhance the quality of life in and near the Lakewood Ranch community by responding to local needs, granting funds, and building lasting relationships. As Lakewood Ranch continues to grow, the needs of the community – including human services, education, animal services, and arts and culture – will also grow. For more information, visit lwrcf.org or call (941) 208-6799. 

2024 WOMEN WHO ROAR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN | SRQ Magazine invited our readers to nominate women in our community who best exemplify the attributes of professional acumen, philanthropic passion, personal integrity, and community leadership and who have deeply contributed to our community. Applications close Friday, May 24, 2024. 

JOINING FORCES FOR THE GREATER GOOD | In our vibrant city, philanthropy thrives through a network of dedicated nonprofit organizations making a meaningful impact on a great number of community causes, May/June 2024. 

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