LAKEWOOD RANCH — Twenty charities and community organizations have been selected to share more than $96,000 in grants from the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch.
The grants represent proceeds from the 2009 Suncoast Food & Wine Fest, attended by nearly 2,000 people.
Even though times are tough this year, as they were last, the club was able to fund more grants and organizations. In 2009, the club spread $88,415 among 18 groups.
The local club has raised more than $700,000 for charities from the festival, according to a press release.
The organizations awarded grants have been invited to a luncheon in their honor at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club on March 18.
This year’s recipients:
n Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast: $10,000 for Decisions to Win Program
n Children’s Guardian Fund: $5,000 for Guardian ad Litem Program
n Easter Seals of SW Florida: $5,000 for the respite program for families
n Family Network on Disabilities: $2,000 for respite services for families
n Family Partnership Center: $6,400 for parenting education and support programs for Hispanic families
n Florida Blood Services Foundation: $4,200 for 12 portable donor beds for off-site donations
n Humane Society of Manatee: $1,500 for expansion of adoption services
n Lifelong Learning Academy: $665 for wireless microphone system for classrooms
n Manatee BUDS: $5,000 for music therapy program
n Manatee Children’s Services: $6,200 for advocacy service for youth in emergency shelter/group home
n Manatee Players: $2,500 for production of play addressing cyberbullying
n Meals on Wheels PLUS/ Manatee Food Bank: $4,625 for food collection barrels and vehicle tires
n PAL of Manatee County: $6,000 for Knocking Out Negativity
n Pines of Sarasota: $9,296 for vital signs monitors
n Rotary’s Camp Florida: $1,140 for new mattresses for student campers
n RotaryClean Water Challenge: $10,000 for community/residential water equipment
n Sarasota/Manatee Association for Riding Therapy: $8,194 for electronic lift
n United Way 2-1-1 of Manasota: $3,000 for Internet-based health/human services information system
n We Care Manatee: $5,000 for pharmaceutical program for free medical clinic
n Willis Elementary School: $450 for fifth-grade student programs and materials for exploration of the earth and moon.
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