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SRQ DAILY Jun 20, 2015

"I will never forget Gulf Coast's unique role, and exceptional responsibility, as the foundation of community."

- Teri A. Hansen, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
 

[Gulf Coast]  Gulf Coast Strong
Teri A. Hansen

My shoes are off, and my staff is (begrudgingly) listening to my choice of music on our office sound system, accompanied by my half-humming, half-singing along. My daughter, Crystal, could attest to the likelihood that those half-sung lyrics are all wrong, too, since I can never seem to remember song lyrics or who wrote them.

Please don’t get the wrong idea. I haven’t “checked out” or stopped taking my job seriously. Quite the opposite. Bare feet under my desk and upbeat music from the overhead speakers are rare vices that my staff will call me out on, telltale signs I am trying to avoid something especially unpleasant. Writing my final guest column as president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation is definitely one of those things.

A week and a half from now, I will transition to a new role at the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation. It’s a change, after 13 amazing years at Gulf Coast, that even I didn’t imagine until two days before I made it official that I was leaving. But while I leave the employ of this foundation, I remain a permanent part of the Gulf Coast family. Indeed, as Gulf Coast donors both now and in our estate plans, my husband and I are forever members.

In trying to write this column, it feels obligatory to note Gulf Coast’s “significant achievements” over the past many years. But it also feels fraught; our donors and nonprofit partners have done so much to transform this region, I’d surely leave out more than I could include. Plus, it risks compromising Gulf Coast’s forward focus: We have always honored the accomplishments of the past by striving to build upon them for the future. 

Suffice it to say, in my time at Gulf Coast, I have seen systems changed, lives transformed, donors fulfilled, and legacies eternalized. As you read this, we are poised to surpass $200 million in grants made since the foundation’s inception. My parting message, then, is simple: Thank you! 

Thank you to the donors who call Gulf Coast their philanthropic home (like Steve and I do); to the nonprofits and other community organizations we work with every single day; and to the legal and financial advisors who care enough about their clients and their community to help structure charitable gifts that will benefit both. It is only thanks to partners like these that Gulf Coast’s bold aspirations for our community become real. 

These partnerships won’t change, either, except in that they’ll grow. The Gulf Coast staff and Board of Directors are stronger than ever. They will continue using data and knowledge to make smart community investments, engaging the right groups to bring big ideas to life, and leveraging charitable resources to help donors accomplish so much more than they could alone. In a small example of that seamless trajectory, you will see future columns here from other members of my beloved Gulf Coast staff, whose knowledge and work were typically the source for my musings anyway.

The partnership between Gulf Coast and my new employer will grow too. You see, even as I help a family whom I admire deeply create their own legacy through a foundation in this community, I will never forget Gulf Coast’s unique role, and exceptional responsibility, as the foundation of community.

A few years ago, the Gulf Coast Board articulated what that charge means in action. Our job, we said, is to leave people feeling different than they felt when they arrived; to leave them reminded that all they ever wanted to do was make a difference, and knowing that this is a place that galvanizes people into doing just that.

Whatever has brought you to Gulf Coast Community Foundation—or will bring you here in the future—I hope the experience leaves you feeling different. I know it has for me. 

Teri A Hansen is president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. On July 1, she will become the president and CEO of the Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation.

[Equality]  We Must Confront Hate
Nadine Smith

Equality Florida stands today in mourning and in outrage at the murders of nine people inside their historic African-American church on Wednesday evening. It is a hate crime that has shocked the nation and claimed the lives of six women and three men, including State Sen. Clementa Pinckney. Our hearts go out to their families, friends and the entire community reeling from this brutal act of terror.

It’s impossible to make sense of such a “hateful and deranged” crime, as Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. put it. But we must note the connection between the deed and the hateful ideas that are said to have motivated it.

The alleged gunman sat through an hour of Bible study before opening fire. And when he ignored the pleas of his intended victims and reloaded his gun, he said, according to a witness. “I have to do it. You rape our women and you’re taking over our country. And you have to go.”

It is not enough to condemn the actions of a lone gunman; we must also confront the rancid, racist ideology at the heart of this crime. Not everyone who holds his apparent beliefs commits these horrific acts, but we must challenge those views that nourish the kind of moral depravity that led to this slaughter. 

Nadine Smith is CEO of Equality Florida



[SOON]  Honor Flight Mission 22 Lifts Off

Sarasota and Bradenton residents have worked tirelessly with Honor Flight of West Central Florida (HFWCF) to raise donations to finance ‘Mission 22’ – An all-expense-paid day for 80 World War II Veterans to visit the war memorials in Washington, D.C on June 23. Time is of the essence to ensure the heroes whose sacrifice gave us a lifetime of freedom finally experience a day dedicated to honoring them. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to flying combat-era Veterans to Washington D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials built to honor their service to the nation. The local Sarasota and Bradenton communities have joined hands to help Mission 22 lift off and local businesses, institutions, and individuals have generously contributed. Come dressed in red, white, and blue on June 23 at 9pm to the St. Petersburg-Clearwater Airport to give our veterans the homecoming they’ve long deserved.  

Honor Flight of West Coast Florida

[SCOOP]  Gecko's Celebrates 23rd Anniversary by Giving Back

Just yesterday, Gecko’s at the Landings had its 23rd Anniversary Party where there was food, fun, and philanthropy! The profits from the celebration benefitted Sarasota County 4H Clubs and the 4H Foundation. Anne Rollings of Gecko’s Hospitality Group said, “With the agricultural lands diminishing, and ranching families following suit, 4-H provides Aa continuum, plus the life lessons that children in our community thrive upon.  As for Gecko's, it is a natural fit; our company's values and those of 4H are very closely aligned. And, we know that one day it is perhaps the children who we are supporting today that may one day be providing the fresh from Florida fair that we serve to our guests. It is a privilege for us to partner with them for support.”  

Gecko's Grill

[SOON]  Fuzion to Perform at Florida Dance Festival

For 36 years, the Florida Dance Festival has been Florida's leading summer dance training program and one of the top annual dance events in the southeastern United States. A program of the Florida Dance Association, the festival is now in its 6th year of being hosted in Tampa at the University of South Florida. Every year the festival brings together choreographers, dancers, performers, teachers and participants, nationally and internationally, to present works, perform, and take class in a non-competitive atmosphere in state of the art facilities to cultivate artistic growth. This year’s performance will feature our very own Fuzión Dance Artists among others. The company, embarking on its 10th season, will be presenting some exciting pieces from their repertory such as Mattress Suite by Larry Keigwin and Michael Foley’s Joan performed by Jahrel Thompson. The FDF will take place on June 23 at 8pm in Tampa at USF’s Theater, so be sure to support our local Sarasota Artists.  

Fusion Dance Artists

[SCOOP]  Summer STEM Explorations

Fight summer learning loss and fuel the curiosity of young minds all summer long with Suncoast Science Center’s Faulhaber Fab Lab summer camps! The inaugural summer camp season kicked off on June 12 and a variety of programs will run through August 14. Children entering grades 4-8 can try their hands at a number of scientific disciplines in the STEM fields- science, technology, engineering, and math- all of which will be infused with an artistic flair. “Children are naturally curious and love to learn,” said Ping Faulhaber, SSC’s Executive Director. “Not only will these summer explorations be fun and educational, they’ll also fuel a continuing curiosity for science, and we hope, will inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.” This summers camp offerings include: Lego Mania, Girls Engineering Workshops, Robotics Lab, Fab Creations, Electrolab, and Awesome Arduino. These week-long camps are $150 and there are only 15 students per session, so make sure and sign up before the spots are full.  

Suncoast Science Center Faulhaber Fab Lab

[SOON]  Discover the Art behind "Plein Air"

Looking to uncover some hidden gems in Sarasota? The SRQ Plein Air Painters will be holding an exhibition at the Renaissance School of Art Gallery this summer from June 25 through August 16. The exhibit includes landscape paintings by local artists “en plein air” style in oil, acrylic, watercolor and pastel, celebrating Florida’s beautiful landscape and culture.  “En Plein Air” simply means "in the open air" and is used to describe the act of painting outdoors. The artists for this event are dedicated to the historic tradition of painting directly from life and documenting contemporary landscape with their brushes. Through this approach of firsthand observation, they capture atmospheric conditions, light, and beautiful scenery that surrounds us all. This show will be juried and best of the show will be exhibited at SRQ Magazine’s Lobby starting August 20 and continuing through September. Make sure you take the chance to explore what plein air painting in Sarasota is all about.  

SRQ Plein Air Painters

[SOON]  Cat Depot Opens New Clinic

Cat Depot is opening the doors to its brand new Rose Durham Cat Care Clinic on 17th Street in Sarasota. The full service clinic will offer affordable veterinary care to the public and will be open 6 days a week Monday-Saturday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Wednesday June 24 from 4-6pm, and there will be door prizes and light refreshments. Stop in for a tour of the facility and to meet the veterinarians. The new medical team includes clinic veterinarians Dr.Eva Ojolick-Ryan and Dr.Rodrigo Rius along with Practice Manager Deb DeVogt. Revenue raised from the Rose Durham Clinic will help fund Cat Depot’s mission to save the lives of homeless cats.  

Cat Depot

[TODAY]  Abercrombie and Fitch comes to Sarasota

As it continues to grow and transform, Westfield Southgate is excited to announce the introduction of Abercrombie and Fitch to its establishment on June 20. The A & F brand itself is evolving to improve in-store experiences for customers and provide more fashion-forward assortments. The company is excited to introduce its new store model in Sarasota, and Westfield is eager to bring this popular American retailer to Sarasota residents. This new addition to Westfield Southgate is another important step in its development and enhancement of the Sarasota shopping experience.  

Westfield Southgate

[SCOOP]  Backpack Packing Record Broken

Last week, All Faiths Food Bank welcomed teams from Capgemini, to sort and prepare donated food for distribution to families in need and pack backpacks for the BackPack Kids Program. Capgemini is one of the world’s foremost providers of consulting, technology, outsourcing services, and local professional services and the Capgemini group helps its clients transform in order to improve their performance and competitive positioning. Through Cap Cares Day, the company invites staffers to support their local communities through volunteering. This year, the Cap Cares Day team broke a backpack packing record with more than 2800 bags filled with kid-friendly food, ready for delivery.  

All Faiths Food Bank

SRQ Media Group

SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email

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