Good News Friday: Good Deeds - May 8, 2015
Jack Turgeon, Stephen Moore and R.G. "Kelly" Caldwell Jr.
Caldwell Trust Company recently brought economist Stephen Moore to Venice High School, where he presented a talk about the current economic situation to 450 juniors and seniors, followed by a question-and-answer session. R.G. “Kelly” Caldwell Jr., CEO and president of Caldwell Trust Company, is a Venice High School alum.
Associates with the downtown Bradenton office of Keller Williams on the Water have chosen “Give Where They Live” as part of RED Day, the company’s annual day of service dedicated to Renewing, Energizing and Donating to the local community. This year, KW on the Water has chosen to spend the day with Manatee Habitat for Humanity, helping build a new house in Palmetto for a couple and their two sons. If you would like to participate, the build start at 8 a.m. Saturday, May 23. Contact Claire at (941) 729-7400 or visit greatermanatee.yourkwoffice.com.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast recently received a total of $15,500 in grant funding from several organizations. The organizations Decisions to Win program, in which an adult mentor from the community works one-on-one with a high school student on personal decision making, received $2,000 from Women’s Sertoma Club of Venice, $3,500 from the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key and $5,000 from the Service Club of Manatee County. The Sarasota County Foundation also awarded $5,000 to BBBSSC’s Gateways to Graduation, the combination program of the Gateway to Success and the Decisions to Win programs aimed at reducing the dropout rate for at-risk youth in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
The Meadows Cup Pro Am Golf Tournament, in conjunction with presenting sponsor, the George & Isable Bushong Foundation and hosted by the Meadows Country Club, raised more than $100,000 for Easter Seals Southwest Florida. The proceeds provide for Easter Seals’ developmental childcare, therapy, rehabilitative services, education, vocational instruction and respite programs for people with disabilities, which serve all ages of people in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
The 27th Annual Celebration luncheon benefitting Girls Inc. of Sarasota County held last month at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota grossed more than $256,600. This figure is the largest net profit in the history of the 27-year luncheon, 11 percent more than the budgeted goal and 20 percent higher than the gross revenue made at the 2014 luncheon. This event provides 20 percent of the organization’s overall annual budget and helps provide scholarships for girls to attend programs they could not otherwise afford.