In our almost 40 years of history, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s focus has consistently been on education. Not only do we manage one of the largest scholarship programs for traditional students and adult learners of its kind in the state of Florida, we have also invested tens of millions of dollars into our region’s schools, teachers and students so we can maximize their ability to be successful in life. This is because of the generosity of our donors who are passionate about education being the key to a successful future, particularly for students who face a number of obstacles through no fault of their own. While our region is generally known for its wealth and abundance, these obstacles are magnified in Sarasota County schools, where over 50 percent of our 42,000 students are on free and reduced lunch, an indicator of where they fall around the poverty line. However, we are fortunate to have a school district that has been an engaged and committed partner to ensuring all students succeed, no matter their circumstances. 

In the past and to this very day, philanthropy has allowed our schools to be flexible, innovative, and on top of growing trends around the country, leading to excellence. We have been proud of the success of our two-generation initiative working with both vulnerable students and their parents on a path to a better future.  The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, which is helping to address the achievement gap between at-risk children and their more affluent peers, is working as more students are reading on grade level, thanks in large part to charitable investments. Additionally, EdExploreSRQ and Any Given Child have ensured that we are providing arts integration for our students, especially those from low-income households.

As many of you know by now, Sarasota County voters on March 20 will have the opportunity to vote on the extension of the Sarasota County School District’s 1-mill local-option property tax, a bipartisan effort that has consistently been supported by our community’s voters for the past 16 years. The tax, which will generate around $55 million for the district this year, has been a major factor contributing directly to our district’s “A” rating and allows our region to attract and retain some of the best and brightest teachers from across the country. More specifically, the funding allows extra instructional time during the day for students, preserves cultural programs and other experiential learning opportunities, as well as continues to enhance safety and security at our schools.

If these resources suddenly disappear, the achievements and effect of these last 16 years will begin to deteriorate. While philanthropic dollars from local donors and foundations have provided a margin of excellence, they by no means can make up a $55 million shortfall. Innovation will be stifled, and challenging decisions would have to be made regarding the future of our students and community.

At the end of the day, this referendum directly affects our region’s kids and their ability to begin life with a head start. Our board has recently come together to publicly show support for the referendum, knowing it is a civic issue impacting our community’s future. Please know that as a community foundation, we cannot support a political candidate, however, we are able to take a position on a public policy issue and to advocate for the passage of a ballot measure that effectively betters our community.  The Community Foundation has supported educational initiatives for almost 40 years, and we are  asking that our community come together to vote “yes” later this month, as we have done so since 2002. The most vibrant and robust communities are the ones in which people invest in other people. This is truly what makes our home special, and we hope you will continue the momentum of student success building over the past 16 years by once again supporting the referendum.

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

When parents and educators interact with youngsters in our charge, our default instinct is to be the teacher, to instruct them and show them the way. In truth, our children can teach us a lot. With unfettered passion, striking bravado and zealous tenacity, students are rallying for their voices to be heard in the wake of the recent tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The question is: Are we truly listening?

The very essence of being an effective communicator begins with listening. The importance of intentionally listening, being fully present and seeking to understand cannot be overstated. It is much easier to want others to understand us than it is to understand others, and our children are teaching us important lessons we should note.

Stephen Covey highlights one of the seven habits of highly effective people: “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” With unifying strength, students are imploring us to be bastions of change and to heed the call of necessary action. It has been awe-inspiring to hear the voices of our children speak with such voluminous transparency and raw veracity, knowing that pats on the back will not suffice or deter them.

With increasing noise, our world often seems chaotic. Polarized conversations are alienating our country and leaving people feeling disenfranchised. Watching these students galvanize a horrific tragedy into productive change is remarkable and inspiring. We can learn a lot from them.

At the very least, we adults would do well to recognize the social-emotional skill of perspective taking. Ellen Galinsky, author of Mind in the Making, teaches us how this skill is developed over time. Through research conducted at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it has been found that a special part of the brain’s cortex—where complex thinking takes place—lights up when people think about the thoughts of others. Cognitive flexibility helps us change the focus from self to others and using inhibitory control allows us to restrain our own thoughts for the benefit of understanding others.

Perspective taking is hard work that draws upon empathy and understanding. Now, more than ever before, we adults should be utilizing this skill. Our children have much to say. They will teach us what they need to know if we take the time to listen.

Winston Churchill said: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." It is time to for us to show the same level of courage as our children and really listen.

Jennifer Vigne is president of the Education Foundation of Sarasota County.

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation raised more than $1,000,000 to benefit Sarasota Memorial Hospital Trauma and Emergency Services at the inaugural and sold out Hospital Gala. “It is wonderful to see the Sarasota community come together for such an important cause,” noted Mason Ayres, Healthcare Foundation president. “Emergency and trauma services are something that you hope you or a loved one never need, but are glad to know it is there if and when it is needed. When the trauma center opened in 2015, the expectation was to serve about 300-500 patients annually. The growth in patients treated by the Emergency and Trauma Services has required SMH to expand the trauma facilities, adding new equipment and technologies. Before opening the Level II Trauma Unit, most critically injured patients were transported to trauma units in other communities. 

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ) will be enrolling passengers in the TSA PreCheck expedited screening program from March 19 through March 30. TSA PreCheck is an expedited screening program that enables identified low-risk air travelers to enjoy a smart and more efficient screening experience. For TSA PreCheck travelers, there is no need to remove shoes, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, light outerwear or belts. Today, TSA PreCheck has more than 450 lanes at 200+ US airports.  

Sarasota Bradenton International Airport

Based on data research compiled by Research Data Services, Inc., the total economic impact of out-of-county visitors to the 2017 Siesta Key Crystal Classic was estimated at $9,041,500. Total attendance for all areas of festival was 60,100 with 33% being year round or seasonal residents and 67% outside the local area. The average length of stay for overnight visitors was 7.3 nights supporting an estimated 17,700 room nights in area lodging. The Siesta Key Crystal Classic is produced by the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce to promote tourism, local businesses, and both ephemeral and visual arts through a collaborative partnership with the community.  

Siesta Key Crystal Classic

On February 23 Truman Adams, a former Ringling Graduate, started and completed a mural at the Fiorelli Winery. This mural was created to inspire the Sarasota and Bradenton communities to rally behind local autism organization Face Autism. Ringling students and graduates have helped support various community efforts in the past but this particular project spoke deeply to the heart of Truman Adams. Adams has a twenty one year old daughter who suffers from various diagnoses including autism. When asked about the mural he said, “This piece was my contribution to helping with autism. I have a daughter on the spectrum and I know how hard it can be for the child and the family.” Current efforts are underway to help raise awareness about autism to garner additional support to address the growing needs within our community. Truman recently returned from an International art competition in Dubai for the Best 3D Street Painting where he was one of only three US artists to be invited. 

Face Autism, Inc.

In 2017, thanks to its donated goods retail operation, numerous salvage partnerships and recycling efforts, Goodwill Manasota helped to divert more than 41.2 million pounds from area landfills. This is more than a million pounds over its 2016 total of 40 million. The majority of items Goodwill keeps out of the trash results from goods donated from the community – clothing, furniture, books, artwork, electronics, housewares, etc. that are sold in its retail stores. The nonprofit also partners with numerous area companies, including Junk King Sarasota, Electronic Recycling Center, Greencycle, Rolloff Express, Symphony Salvage, Thrift Books, and various clothing and electronics stores, thrift shops and bookstores for salvage, recycling and resale purposes. Goodwill sells materials that cannot be moved through its retail operations on the secondary market. The resale, recycling and salvage operations not only keep millions of pounds of junk out of landfills, they also generate additional revenue for Goodwill and its partners. 

Goodwill Manasota

In honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary of statehood, The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee will present “Happy Birthday Israel” in the Beatrice Friedman Theater on March 11 at 7pm featuring Israeli entertainment by The Shuk Band and the Keshet Chaim Dance Ensemble. Throughout the event, leaders in our community who have helped the Jewish Federation accomplish its goal to provide teens with significant Israel experiences and missions will be honored. These Israel experiences have proven to enhance teens’ Jewish identity and have a significant impact on their ability to address anti-Semitic and anti-Israel rhetoric on college campuses.  

Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Mantee