• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • LWR Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Dick Vitale says 'Merry Christmas' to Sarasota Boys and Girl's Club

Sarasota's annual holiday party celebrates on Dec. 18.


  • By Amelia Hanks
  • | 12:08 a.m. December 19, 2018
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Dick Vitale brought an extra special dose of Christmas cheer to the Sarasota Boy's and Girls Club at the Lee Wetherington Club.

Vitale donated $10,000 to the club to go towards the purchase of toys for at the holiday party celebrated on Dec. 18 for all three of the clubs celebrated. The Lee Weatherington Boys and Girl's Club, the Newtown Estates Park Boys and Girl's Club and the Roy McBean Club were all on the receiving end of Vitale's generosity.

The event included a bouncy castle, the opportunity to pick out two gifts from the toy room, a free meal provided by Boar's Head, games, face painting, and more. 

As Vitale himself said the boys and girls in attendance, "Learn to say 'I love you.'"

Trinity Jackson got her face painted during the party.
Trinity Jackson got her face painted during the party.
Bailee Brookover, Dick Vitale, Daisy Guerro, Jayvian Hoffman and Lorraine Vitale
Bailee Brookover, Dick Vitale, Daisy Guerro, Jayvian Hoffman and Lorraine Vitale
Dick Vitale and Lorraine Vitale pose with a group of kids from the Boys and Girl's Club.
Dick Vitale and Lorraine Vitale pose with a group of kids from the Boys and Girl's Club.
Damon Dipina and Christopher Guitard get a hug from Dick Vitale.
Damon Dipina and Christopher Guitard get a hug from Dick Vitale.
Dick Vitale gives Santa Claus a handshake.
Dick Vitale gives Santa Claus a handshake.
Trelayja Thomas peruses the gifts given out to the Boys and Girl's Club.
Trelayja Thomas peruses the gifts given out to the Boys and Girl's Club.
Trelayja Thomas, Serenity Hunter and Taraji Lamb
Trelayja Thomas, Serenity Hunter and Taraji Lamb
Dominique Winston Italiana Cristiani
Dominique Winston Italiana Cristiani
Almuta Hawks, Barbara Bane and Geoffrey Gilot
Almuta Hawks, Barbara Bane and Geoffrey Gilot
Santa Claus and Lesly Saldavar
Santa Claus and Lesly Saldavar
The Boys and Girl's Club were given a meal courtesy of Boar's Head.
The Boys and Girl's Club were given a meal courtesy of Boar's Head.
Pat and Bob Gussin
Pat and Bob Gussin

 

Latest News

Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
Sarasota City Attorney Joe Polzak and City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs during a meeting of the Sarasota City Commission.
  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota charter official evaluations begin this month
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
A satellite image of Hurricane Irma.
  • December 4, 2025
Hurricane season ends without Florida landfall

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
Shane Rawley poses for a photo on Dec. 2 at Shaner's Pizzeria with his three published books. From left: "A February Thaw: A Peter Cobb Adventure," "January Freeze: A Peter Cobb Adventure" and "Peter Cobb: Three Strikes You're Out."
  • December 4, 2025
Former MLB pitcher and local pizzeria owner is an author
Laura Oliff-Maxey and Barbara Braun
  • December 4, 2025
Mothers Helping Mothers strengthens its toy drive effort
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community
  • December 4, 2025
Sarasota City Y is a Vital Part of the Community

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2025 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now