Lakewood Ranch Community Fund presents 21 grants

Jeffery Kin, the artistic director for The Players Centre for Performing Arts, felt like shouting.

In his hand was a $10,000 grant from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund and he was more than happy to talk about the impact that money would have.

"This money literally will help us be heard," Kin said Oct. 6 following the Community Fund's grants ceremony at Northern Trust's Community Room.

The Players Centre award was the largest of the 21 grants totaling $84,000 issued by the Community Fund. It was given to underwrite a series of "Theater in the Field" open-air events The Players Centre hopes to perform. A production of "Sleepy Hollow" scheduled for Oct. 27-28 at a site to be determined in Lakewood Ranch kicks off the series.

Kin and Michelle Bianchi, The Players managing director and CEO, explained they were looking at more than $4,000 to rent sound equipment for an outdoor theater.

"This is a big deal for our production," Bianchi said of the grant. "We can buy the sound equipment, such as body mikes and wireless mikes, for $4,500."

Bianchi said the additional money could help with promotion and marketing as well as other theater equipment.

Chris Romine, the president of the Community Fund's Advisory Board, said his non-profit wanted to have a signature grant this year. "We wanted to make more of a significant impact on one group," he said.

Although the Community Fund has issued larger grants over its existence, which begin in 2000, he said the $10,000 was the largest handed out in "recent history." He said The Players was just right for the grant.

"Our feeling is that The Players will enrich the lives of people in Lakewood Ranch of all ages," he said. "We wanted to support their endeavor. This grant is a seed allowing them to engage this community."

Kin said The Players' goal is to reach every age group in the community and Bianchi said they are planning a theater production at Christmas for Lakewood Ranch as part of the "Theater in the Field" series.

The next largest grant, $6,500, went to Stillpoint House of Prayer and is intended to help the Community Outreach Food Program which provides free food and clothing to the community. Six $5,000 grants went to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, Easter Seals Southwest Florida, Foundation for Dreams, Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Sarasota Opera Association and the Neuro Challenge Foundation.

"This is our day," Romine said of the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund. "We take this hard-earned money and see it used in our community."