Patrons' spare change adds up to wealthy donation

Peter and Laura Cleaves, of St. Armands Key Lutheran Church, recently presented a check for $1,760 to Mandy Smith, director of the Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center.

The church held a “Change for Babies” drive to fill baby bottles with spare change as a fundraiser for the center. Church members collected $1,333 in change, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans contributed $427 in matching funds.

The Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center, located at 1217 East Ave. S., provides counseling and support to pregnant women and their families.