Grant Awards Luncheon 

    The 2018 Grant Committee has completed reviewing this year's applications for grants and will be presenting awards at our annual awards luncheon on Wednesday, April 11.  At the luncheon the Foundation will present $122,500 to 48 recipients who qualified, supporting them with their many worthy projects throughout South County. This year, the committee vetted 51 applicants. 

    Our Grant Committee is always looking for people to join and help us review the applications from area non-profit organizations. If you are interested, please send an email to the Foundation office at pcf500@verizon.net or call 941-497-4826.

A Brush with Kindness

    Volunteers and members of your Board will be painting another home selected by Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Inc. on Saturday, April 14.  Now’s your chance to “Make a Difference”.  Call the Foundation office and volunteer.  Have some fun giving back to your community.  
    In the Spring of 2017, the Plantation Community Foundation generously partnered with Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County Inc. to launch a new home revitalization program. “A Brush with Kindness” is an exterior home painting service that offers pressure washing and painting for income-qualified homeowners in need. This one-year program is Habitat’s intent to help South Sarasota’s most vulnerable population revitalize their homes with pride and dignity. Thanks to a $16,000 impact grant from The Plantation Community Foundation and paint donated by Sherwin Williams, Habitat South Sarasota continues to paint one home per month for a qualified homeowner.

"On the Avenue" Spring Style Show

    Once again the Fashion Show was a styling success.  Over 340 ladies enjoyed “On the Avenue” this year.  Fashions presented from PG&CC Pro Shops, Lisa’s Classic Rose, Sandy’s Designer Clothing, St. Marco, and SunBug were oohed and aahed!!  A HUGE Thank You to Judy Thuer and her committee, our gorgeous models, the many PCF volunteers, the PGCC staff, and especially to Dorothy and Lynn.  Also thanks go out to Mary Kopp, our guest speaker from Venice Area Pregnancy Care Center.  VAPCC is one of our 2018 Grant Recipients. 
    With your support we were able to raise funds which will be used to award grants again this year to 48 grant applicants.  Thanks to all for “MAKING A DIFFERENCE” in South Sarasota County.
    If you are interested in sharing your ideas or volunteering, please contact the PCF office.  We would love to have you be a part of the team.

Big Kahuna

    The Big Kahuna is being chaired by Mike and Linda Maglio this year.  Chances are being sold for $100 by Mike Maglio, Hank Zawada, Tony Mollish, Bob Hayden, and at the PCF office. On March 15, 2018 at the St. Patty’s Day Party several $1,000 winners will be drawn until 50% of the proceeds are distributed.  Lucky Winners will share half of a 50/50 raffle pot composed of the sale proceeds of a maximum of 300 tickets at $100 each. There could be a maximum of 15 $1,000 winners if we sell all 300 tickets.  Take a chance or two and be a Winner!!!!!

***Big Changes Coming to the PCF Events***

                                                                                                                                            
    The PCF will kick-off the 2018-19 season of events with A Fabulous ‘Fun’ Raiser in November.  Mark your calendars for November 15, 2018.  The evening will include Live Entertainment from the Top Rated Entertainer "Legends in Voices", cash prizes, cart drawings, a lively auction and a great new menu.  Check out the video of Legends in Voices at https://youtu.be/tqOSzX49KQw

The festivities begin at 5:30.  PCF members are entitled to a reduced price ticket for this event.  Call the office to be sure your membership is current and take advantage of the reduced price ticket. 

Membership
    Many of you have taken the time to renew your PCF membership, and we want to thank you.  We’re also happy that so many of our members have joined us in our fund-raising events.  Check the website for pictures: www.plantationcommunityfoundation.org.
    Spread the word about our Foundation and all that we do.  Please encourage your friends and neighbors to join us.  We “Make a Difference” in South Sarasota County!  It’s easy to join by stopping at the office or visiting our website.

    Keep your information accurate……..Don’t forget to notify the PCF office if you have a change of information.

     The PCF Board presented a check for $19,200 for the 2018 Impact Grant to Literacy Volunteers of South Sarasota County (LVSSC).  The grant will fund a Study-Lab Program located in the Family Services Center, North Port, FL.  This location brings together a variety of social service agencies that provide assistance to those who need it.

     A dedicated study-lab will provide a safe and welcoming space for students to meet with tutors, utilize computer equipment, and attend classes.  The number of students has increased 73% from 2010 to 2017.  LVSSC has helped 343 students from 48 different countries in 2016/2017.

In the Spring of 2017, the Plantation Community Foundation generously partnered with Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County, Inc. to launch a new home revitalization program, "A Brush with Kindness". Through the PCF’s $16,000 impact grant and paint donated by Sherwin-Williams, volunteers will paint one home for a qualified homeowner per month.  You do not need to be handy with a paint brush to volunteer for this project. Give back to the community.  Gather your friends and contact the PCF office to be a part of "A Brush with Kindness".  

Pictured are the volunteers working at the first home.  The recipient, Melvin Smoke, is a career veteran with the U.S. Air Force and a two time cancer survivor. Melvin has volunteered with over eight organizations and is very happy to be on the receiving end.

The second recipients are a father and son who have disabilities and need the assistance of the program.  Pictured below are volunteers working at the second home.  This time Habitat opened up volunteership to their partner families and they had a great turnout!

On Saturday, November 18, several PCF volunteers helped paint the third home.  Contact the PCF office to add your name to the list to once again "Make a Difference".

If you know of someone who qualifies for this program, please contact Brian Scott at (941) 493-6606 ext. 226 for an application. For more information on A Brush with Kindness program, contact Habitat SSC Construction Manager, Michael Sollitto at (941) 493-6606 ext. 231.

2017-2018 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DAY          DATE                           EVENT                                      CHAIR(S)

Wed.        4/11/18     Grant Awards Luncheon                             Kathy Mason

Be sure to mark your calendar.  Remember, we welcome volunteers and their ideas with open arms!!!!

Royal Ride Winners - APRIL 2018

David & Carolyn Bradley                        Jack & Pat Richards

Join the Plantation Community Foundation!  

• We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
• We fund approximately $100,000 yearly in grants to South Sarasota County.
• We have fun raising the money together.
• Sign up to volunteer for the Celebrity Golf Classic or the Fashion Show.  
• Make new friends who also help others.
• Feel great about helping our community!!   

Grant Recipients

     A great big THANK YOU to all Plantation Community Foundation members!  The people that are smiling in the pictures are the Grant Recipients for the 2017/18 season.  You bought raffle tickets, attended PCF fund-raising events, volunteered, sponsored, and donated. Whether you were a loyal member or a new one, you gave and you “Made a Difference” in the lives of so very many people that live in South Sarasota County!  You should smile as well.  This Foundation, located right here at Plantation, needed every one of you to make this happen.  Be proud of what we’ve done together. We’ve made our part of the world a better place.

PCF Office Hours:  

September - May/Tuesday - Thursday/8 a.m - 4 p.m.

June - August/ Office closed

If you need assistance contact Dorothy @ Pcf500@verizon.net