Lakewood Ranch comes forward as a community of giving

So a very merry Christmas and a happy Hanukkah to all our readers who have spent the past weeks gathering with their family members.

Be assured, though, that living in a special community means that you have plenty of extended family members who care about each other.

While I try to note the many accomplishments by our hundreds of East County nonprofits, or those who step up to help those nonprofits, it is impossible to get to everyone.

So I thought I would use my column in this special Christmas issue of the East County Observer to mention a few efforts that might not have drawn the attention they certainly deserve.

I will start with the Heritage Cares Foundation's "Lakewood Ranch Cares — Five Days of Giving initiative."

The Heritage Golf Group bought Lakewood Ranch Country Club, its golf courses and other amenities, and eventually Legacy Golf Club as well, in 2024. Heritage Golf Group CEO and President Mark Burnett said at the time that his organization valued giving back to its communities.

That can often ring hollow as those who live in the Country Club had to be skeptical of an outsider taking over the amenities that make the Country Club special.

Obviously, the residents have since embraced Heritage. That was apparent during Heritage's fundraiser, in which volunteers stepped forward to raise more than $100,000 in November.

Longtime Country Club member Bob Smith, who runs his own fundraiser to benefit the Stillpoint Mission in Bradenton, always had a good relationship with previous Country Club General Manager Wayne Piazza, who retired this year and was replaced by Ryan Glenn, another longtime Country Club employee.

Piazza made sure Stillpoint always received "a couple hundred pounds" of rice and beans each month to distribute to the poor. Smith said that had gone on for more than 15 years.

Glenn wanted to continue a relationship with Stillpoint, and made it a recipient of funds raised during "Five Days of Giving."

The events included a Sip and Support cocktail party, a pickleball tournament, a tennis tournament, a Family Fun Fest, and a golf tournament. Country Club Lifestyle Director Tonya Jansson was the spark behind the event, organizing everything and finding sponsorships. They raised $102,200 and cut a check for $51,100 to Stillpoint.

Smith said it is an important donation for Stillpoint, which has outgrown its building in downtown Bradenton and is seeking to move. The donation will be a big boost to Stillpoint's 2026 Capital Campaign.

Photo by Jay Heater

Next up is the Knights of Columbus of Our Lady of the Angels Catholic Church. These members do a lot of good deeds in the background that seldom draw a lot of attention but are gestures that mean the world to those who receive them.

For example, in November the Knights did a Veterans Day event at the Summit of Lakewood Ranch, in which member John Joly, his wife Regina Joly, member Bill Kopcsak, and the Tidewell Hospice clowns provided some entertainment and song, a quiz for the residents, and just some much-appreciated companionship.

John Joly and Kopcsak demonstrated how to fold an American flag and Regina Joly showed the residents how you should cut up a flag when disposing of it. Then the Jolys gave some small gifts out to those in attendance.

Courtesy image

Businesses in the community often give back, as was the case in December with Coldwell Banker Realty's Toys for Tots collection event by its Lakewood Ranch Market Street office. 

Organized by broker Vinnie Vinopal, a retired U.S. Marine, the agents and members of the community donated hundreds of toys in support of families and children in need in the local area. 

Neighborhoods often come together to help, and that was the case in November at Esplanade at Azario, which raised $63,500 to donate to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa to support breast cancer research. 

The effort was sponsored by the Azario Women's Golf Association and the "Think Pink" group, which held a Charity Golf Outing at the neighborhood course.

Ellen Giunta said besides the 136 golfers who played in the event, it took 36 volunteers to run it, giving their "time, energy an enthusiasm." The event featured drawings, silent auctions and a live auction. Of course, much of that was supported by local businesses.

It is these kinds of events that make the place we call home special. If you see members from any of these groups, give them a big pat on the back for going above and beyond.