Suncoast Charities for Children held a Casino Night fundraiser Aug. 26 as part of its Suncoast Summer Fest series. The event capped off the series, which featured several events throughout the summer, including a golf tournament, a fun run, a fishing tournament and Fourth of July events.
The Sarasota Event Center was filled with patrons gathered to try out their luck in the name of a good cause. The Casino Night event raised $20,000, which will benefit a new children's therapy fund in honor of Ron Foxworthy, a former Suncoast Charities board member and one of the original founders of the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix Festival.
Because of rising health care costs, many families lack the insurance coverage required for certain therapies. This scholarship fund will help children with special needs receive the care they need, such as speech, physical, occupational, feeding and aquatic therapy. The James M. Doss Charitable Foundation provided the seed money for the scholarship.
The funds raised during Summer Fest are particularly important to benefit local children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families during a time of year when donations typically slow. Suncoast Charities supports six local nonprofits throughout the Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Charlotte County areas. Last year, the Suncoast Summer Fest raised $154,000.
Chairs (Center) Stephanie and Paul Kotlarczyk with Courtney Poppell and Brittany Ingles
Photo by Nancy Guth
Suncoast Charities for Children Executive Director Lucy Nicandri and Director of Special Events Lisa Baer.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Photo by Nancy Guth
Sharyn McCormick, Amy Turner Gregg, Susan Haley, Launita Burtley. Suncoast Charities for Children Casino Night in benefit of the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund
Photo by Nancy Guth
Josh Boothby and Leigh Thornton
Photo by Nancy Guth
Courtney Poppell and Brittany Ingles
Photo by Nancy Guth
Suncoast Charities for Children's Casino Night benefited the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Josh Boothby and Leigh Thornton
Photo by Nancy Guth
Kasey Martel, Bob and Mary Flanders
Photo by Nancy Guth
Blackjack players crowd the tables at the Suncoast Charities for Children's Casino Night.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Midge McCarthy, Bob Richard, Philip Needs and Dale LaGasse
Photo by Nancy Guth
Suncoast Charities for Children's Casino Night benefits the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund
Photo by Nancy Guth
More than $20,000 was raised for The Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Suncoast Charities for Children Casino Night in benefit of the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund
Photo by Nancy Guth
Suncoast Charities for Children's Casino Night raised $20,000 for the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Chuck Downs volunteers at Casino Night.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Bob Morrison and Jerrie Morrison with Maverick. Scholarship Fund.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Alice Rothbauer and Naomi Copeland
Photo by Nancy Guth
Thomas Bender, Anne Rollings and Courtney Poppell.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Tony Parodo and Dave Kemp with Courtney Poppell (left) and Britanny Ingles (right).
Photo by Nancy Guth
Carla Bright and Kathy Hester with Courtney Poppell (left) and Brittany Ingles (right).
Photo by Nancy Guth
Patrongs play roulette at Suncoast Charities for Children's first Casino Night.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Nevi and Dave Kirkland
Photo by Nancy Guth
Ramona Glanz and Andrew Vac
Photo by Nancy Guth
Lisa Baer, Nancy O'Neill and Executive Director Lucy Nicandri
Photo by Nancy Guth
Suncoast Charities for Children's Casino Night raised $20,000 for the Ron Foxworthy Memorial Children’s Therapy Scholarship Fund.
Photo by Nancy Guth
Players crowd the blackjack tables at Suncoast Charities for Children's Casino Night.
