Good News Friday: Good Deeds - June 5, 2015
The Manatee Library Foundation presented the Manatee County public library system with a donation of $100,000, proceeds from “An Evening with Stephen King,” the January fund raiser at the Manatee Performing Arts Center where King spoke to 370 people about his career and creative process. The funding will be used on a new integrated library system, which will improve the patron experience and the overall efficiency of the six library facilities throughout the county.
Elizabeth and Dave Boyers and Christina and Joe McVicker have invested in a Kona Ice truck and will donate 20-25 percent of the revenue at each stop to area organizations. The family aims to raise tens of thousands of dollars for local schools, youth sports leagues, nonprofits and families in the community with their new shaved ice truck business. Since 2007, Kona Ice has donated more than $25 million nationally to community-based organizations. To learn more about Kona Ice of Sarasota and to book your next event, contact the Boyers and McVickers at [email protected] or (941) 685-2881.
The William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation awarded The SKY Family YMCA in Venice a $100,000 grant to help purchase a multipurpose building to expand the Y’s program offerings in Englewood. The new building, located at 881 S. River Road, will not replace the YMCA facility at 701 Medical Blvd. For more information about the Englewood YMCA and its services and programs visit engymca.org or call (941) 475-1234.
Venice-based J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. donated $5,000 to the Humane Society of Manatee County to support the needs of the shelter and to help the nonprofit to care for more than 900 homeless dogs and cats. The construction company also recently began the facelift on an existing 10,000-squre-foot building for the HSMC, which is expected to be complete in July.
Children First recently received grants totaling $36,600 from five local foundations to help the nonprofit enhance its nutrition and family education programs for disadvantaged preschool-age children and their families living in Sarasota County. SunTrust Foundation donated $9,600 to support Children First’s Families First Institute; the Jerome & Mildred Paddock Foundation donated $15,000, Sarasota County Foundation donated $5,000 and Plantation Community Foundation provided $4,000 to support the “Nourishing Young Minds to Learn” nutrition program; and Venice Golf & Country Club Community Foundation donated $3,000 to provide scholarships to children from low-income families to attend preschool at one of the 13 early childhood education centers Children First operates throughout the county.
Rosedale Golf & Country Club raised more than $2,570 during its annual Birdie-A-Thon to support the Greater Sarasota Junior Golf Association. The nonprofit organization benefiting from the fund raiser aims to expose local children to golf through educational programs and competitive play for all skill levels.