Good News Friday: Good Deeds - July 31, 2015
Gecko’s Grill & Pub has renewed its commitment as a business partner with the Sarasota County 4-H Clubs & Foundation, designating the 4-H as the direct beneficiary of the $4,000 in donations it raised during its 23rd Anniversary BBQ and Party.
Re/Max Alliance Group agents and staff, in conjunction with Guaranteed Rate, took part in a toy and food drive for shelter animals of the Humane Society of Sarasota County during a recent Dog Days of Summer campaign.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Manatee County received a $40,000 grant from United Way of Manatee County for the summer learning loss prevention program, Summer Brain Game. The program, an interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum based on a Harvard University model, was developed in partnership with the International ArtScience Prize Program, The Walt Disney Company and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
United Way 2-1-1 of Manasota received a $50,000 grant from United Way of Manatee County to fund the 24-hour helpline that 2-1-1 operates.
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance has collected more than $1,500 and 123 pounds of nonperishable food items to benefit the Food Bank of Manatee’s White Out Summer Hunger program. The program helps provide the more than 14,000 children in the community relying on the schools’ weekday program with food bags for the weekends. According to the Food Bank of Manatee, it takes $4 to feed a child for a full weekend. With 100 percent of the collected donations going directly to feed the children, Alliance members have given enough to provide over 500 weekend food bags for children in need.
The first Manatee County Pet Adopt-A-Palooza will be held this weekend, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and from noon-4 p.m. Sunday, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. Approximately 100 pets will be available for adoption on site, along with raffles, pet services, a demonstration by Peace River Search and Rescue, and a high-energy fly ball tournament. Admission and parking are free. For more information, call (941) 746-3611, or visit mymanatee.org/pets or facebook.com/manateecountyanimalservices.
The Historical Society of Sarasota County received a $2,200 grant from the Frances T. Bourne Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to purchase additional stackable chairs. The chairs will be used in the Crocker Memorial Church and in the Bidwell-Wood House for events and projects hosted by the organization.
The Charles and Margery Barancik Foundation awarded a $50,000 match grant to the Friendship Centers in support of its medical and dental clinics as a response to the funding shortfalls due to recent vetoes out of Tallahassee. This funding will pay for diagnostics, supplies, lab fees, equipment replacement or repairs, recruitment of volunteer doctors, training and personnel to conduct eligibility screenings. To double donations through this match challenge and help provide healthcare for older adults in need, contact Marty Katz, director of development and marketing, at [email protected] or (941) 556-3253.
Goodwill Manasota and Meals on Wheels PLUS have joined in a nonprofit partnership for the 2015 Giving Challenge, a 24-hour day of philanthropy to support area nonprofits, taking place from noon to noon Sept. 1-2. The organizations are asking businesses throughout the community to accept the delivery of a mobile stationary bike for up to three days and encourage employees to “Pedal for a Purpose” and make donations for every mile they pedal. For more information or to sign up your business to host a stationary bike, call (941) 355-2721.