• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Mother's Day Gift Guide
  • Sand Bucket List
  • 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 Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners next week
My-Lien Truong and Dwight Fitch, the radiation oncologists at Advocate Radiation Oncology in Lakewood Ranch, both studied chemical engineering before pursuing radiation oncology.
  • May 12, 2026
Radiation, oncology center opens Lakewood Ranch office
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is the only Gulf-facing property on Longboat Key with a private beach groin, constructed decades ago by Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Murf Klauber to fight beach erosion.
  • May 12, 2026
St. Regis, town headed to court as Whittall defies order

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

Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Vice President Ed Hill (left) receives the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals Professional of the Year Award from Noel Martinez of the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce.
  • May 12, 2026
Chamber executive wins top statewide professional award
William Gensmer and Zaeta, of The Tilt, perform on stage.
  • May 10, 2026
Be Fabulous Music & Arts Pride Fest held at Selby Five Points Park
Joseph Sprouse created costumes based on "Tron" that he and his sister Isabel Sprouse wore to the event.
  • May 10, 2026
SiestaCon continues to bring a comic con experience to Sarasota
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Wendy Feinstein now divides her time between Longboat Key and Carbondale, Colorado.
  • May 8, 2026
American Jewish Committee names new regional president
Photo Credit: John Revisky
  • May 7, 2026
Where Prestige Meets Performance: Redefining Real Estate Excellence
At his first time participating in Corevettes on the Circle, newcomer Bob Hanstra took home the award for Best in Show. Car enthusiasts brought 150 Corvettes of all sorts of years, models and colors for the May 2 car show on St. Armands Circle.
  • May 4, 2026
Corvettes on the Circle welcomes 150 vehicles to showcase

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 © 2026 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.


Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free