Good New Friday: Good Deeds - April 4, 2014
Southeastern Guide Dogs and the Chiles Restaurant Group have partnered to generate funds for Southeastern Guide Dogs’ services to the visually impaired community. At Chiles’ three restaurants—the Sandbar on Anna Maria Island, the BeachHouse in Bradenton Beach, and Mar Vista Dockside on Longboat Key—diners will be given the option to make a donation with their check. The goal is to raise $15,000. The launch party for this campaign takes place from 5:30 – 8 p.m. next Thursday, April 10, at the Sandbar Restaurant.
The city of Sarasota has declared March 25th to be Mary Ann Robinson Day in honor of the Sarasota resident’s philanthropy and years of community service. A proclamation was presented by commissioner Suzanne Atwell during a luncheon hosted by Designing Women Boutique. Ida Zito, board president of Designing Women, presented Robinson with a tribute book filled with warm wishes and remembrances, many referencing her warm personality and her willingness to tackle unglamorous but necessary tasks throughout her years as a volunteer serving those in need.
Shaun P. Merriman, president and CEO of Gateway Bank of Southwest Florida, announced the bank’s 2013 President’s Volunteer Service Gold Award reception for its volunteer contributions, including more than 2,000 hours of service, within the community. Additionally, nine Gateway Bank employees received individual recognition, including all three of Gateway’s banking center managers. For more information about volunteer opportunities in the area and how to qualify for the President’s Volunteer Service Award, visit presidentialserviceawards.gov or call (866) 545-5307.
Goodwill Manasota will benefit from a grant of $1.5 million awarded by Accenture to Goodwill Industries International for a new program aimed at helping more Americans achieve the skills needed for college and career success. The grant is part of Accenture's corporate citizenship initiative, Skills to Succeed, which plans to equip 500,000 people around the world by 2015 with skills to get a job or build a business. Through GoodProspects for Credentials to Careers, 40 Goodwill agencies across the country will connect more than 15,000 people with the credentials and assistance they need to equip job seekers with career readiness skills.
Boar’s Head vice president of sales John Cannistra is taking steps to help eradicate ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, at the Sarasota Walk to Defeat ALS presented by the ALS Association. Last year, the walks raised more than $1 million around the state of Florida. The event begins at 10 a.m. tomorrow, April 5, at Payne Park in Sarasota. For more information, call (888) 257-1717.
Although the Orioles have returned to Baltimore for the start of the regular season, it will maintain a presence in the Suncoast community, including year-round athletic training through Extended Minor League Spring Training, Summer Gulf Coast League, Fall Instructional League, and other athletic rehabilitation programs, as well as via many charitable activities and the “Arts in the Ballpark” event series. Through their community outreach initiative, OriolesREACH, and their Sarasota 365 commitment, the Orioles hosted numerous community events on game days at Ed Smith Stadium, including a food collection drive and fundraiser to benefit All Faiths Food Bank and an auction of game-worn caps to benefit Mote Marine Laboratory’s animal hospitals, which has raised over $13,600 in the past two years.