Land donation benefits Pines of Sarasota

In October, longtime resident Bob Waechter, the president of a commercial management company and a Sarasota County political influencer, donated a land parcel alongside the Legacy Trail north of Ashton Road to the Pines of Sarasota Foundation.

The 2.2-acre gift made is in memory of Waechter’s wife, Jane Cavanagh Waechter; his mother, Beatrice “Bea” Waechter Parker; and his mother-in-law, Mary Kertesz Cavanagh.

Pines of Sarasota cared for all three.

“They were embraced in a caring environment and watched over by people who loved them,” Waechter said in a news announcement released by the Pines of Sarasota Foundation.

The land donation will benefit Pines of Sarasota Foundation’s mission to help care for residents who have outlived their resources, the announcement said.

County property records show the transfer of the commercially zoned property from R & J Ashton Court LLC to the Pines took place Oct. 6. It’s listed for sale at $1.2 million, proceeds of which will benefit the Foundation, according to a spokesman.

“This generous gift is a legacy of love in action,” said Andrea Stephens, president of Pines of Sarasota Foundation in a prepared statement. “It offers peace of mind to residents, joyful beginnings for children, and growth for caregivers. It’s a lasting reminder that true community is built on respect, compassion, and connection.”

Waechter has for more than 40 years run R&J Commercial Management in Sarasota. He served as chair of the Sarasota County Republican Party and as a member of several boards in the area. In 2013, he accepted a plea deal in December 2013 on a charge of identity theft connected to two fraudulent campaign contributions made under an assumed name.