Good News Friday: Good Deeds - December 6, 2013
Gulf Coast Community Foundation is again partnering with Westfield Southgate for the “Give with Purpose” campaign. Through Dec. 21, shoppers who make $200 or more in same-day purchases at the Westfield Southgate mall may claim a $25 “Holiday Give Card” for the charitable website GulfCoastGives.org. The value of the card may then be donated online to support one of more than two dozen local charity and school projects posted on the site. Additional details are available here, or look for information at the mall.
The Gettel Automotive Family of Dealerships announced a $25,000 gift to the Education Foundation of Sarasota County at the foundation’s 24th annual classroom grant awards reception earlier this week. The donation will underwrite Education Foundation Exploration Grants, giving students access to Southwest Florida’s cultural and scientific resources. Combined with other private contributions, the funds will help underwrite a record number of Education Foundation classroom grants to teachers for the 2013-2014 academic year.
For the second year, IBERIABANK recently made $1,200 in layaway payments through its “i Gives Back” community outreach program. Branch managers were given a budget of $150 each to spend at local stores with layaway programs. Store clerks were asked to randomly identify customers with layaways, and IBERIABANK made payments toward those balances.
Goodwill Manasota is delivering more than 40,000 pounds of clothing to victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The donated clothing is valued at more than $14,000. The Philippine Red Cross is assisting in collecting clothing donations and the Rotary Club in the Philippines is handling the sorting and distribution of the apparel.
The Table Creekside and Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar are teaming up with Toys for Tots to collect toys for children in need. Guests who donate new, unwrapped toys will receive a $10 gift card redeemable at either restaurant.
London Bay Homes recently hosted the inaugural Circus Sarasota Golf Tournament at the Founders Club. Nearly 100 golfers and residents raised funds for Circus Sarasota, which preserves the heritage of the circus arts through performance, innovative education and training programs.