- February 3, 2026
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When Lakewood Ranch’s Mary Glass, who is now retired from an 18-year presidency with the Manatee Education Foundation, was notified she would receive the “Leadership Spirit Award” through the Manatee Community Foundation, it was more than just an award. It was the continuance of a family legacy.
Glass’s mother Pat Glass, who was Manatee County’s first female county commissioner, received the “Volunteer Spirit” award two decades ago at the very first Spirit of Manatee Awards. Mary Glass credits her mother for being an “incredible role model” who inspired her to go after philanthropic goals.
Veronica Thames, chief executive officer of Manatee Community Foundation, said the awards are chosen by a committee of community members. In the case of Mary Glass, one of the selling points was her “consistent and deep roots of philanthropy.”
“I inherited her deep love of Manatee County,” Mary Glass said. “I got those roots early. Her dedication inspired me to serve our area. She inspired me to serve our community with courage, compassion and dedication.”
There are five honorees for this year’s awards — Glass, Zoe Lander, Ron Allen, Ashley Brown and Barbara Jennings. Two of them are from Lakewood Ranch — Glass and the 16-year-old Lander, who is a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School. Lander will receive the “Young Spirit Award.”
Lander is involved in just about everything she can be within and outside of school. Her activities include playing for two different soccer teams, National Honor Society, Blood Drive Club and peer tutoring. She is also the president of the Junior Advisory Board.
Even with all her activities, volunteering stays at the forefront of what she is passionate about. She has been a Girl Scout since kindergarten and has participated in a wide variety of volunteer events including helping at food banks, animal shelters, beach and park clean ups and more.
“She's very independent,” said Alice Lander, Zoe’s mom. “I don't push her to do anything, to get good grades, to play sports, to volunteer. It's all her. She has a big heart and she'll be the first to sign up to go volunteer.”
Alice Lander said it’s amazing to see a group of girls come together and empower each other. She said Zoe’s experience at Girl Scouts has been half volunteering and giving back in the community and half learning practical skills such as car care.
Since freshman year, Lander has racked up 320 service hours.
“Your first time doing something, it's hard to see how much of a difference it makes,” Lander said. “After you keep on doing it more and more, you're able to see what happens after you do your volunteering.”
Mary Glass said she is pleased to see volunteerism and leadership being implemented by people like Lander at such a young age.
“Those students that are stepping up, I admire them,” Mary Glass said. “Those are the very people I want to encourage to keep going and get involved in your community. We all see how critical it is to weigh in on the issues and know how to help other people.”
Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, said they nominated Lander because of her ability to lead by example.
"Like all the incredible young women in Girl Scouts making a difference in our community, Zoe’s passion for service inspired us deeply,” Servian. “Her projects and leadership stood out this year, and through her courage, confidence, and character, she shows how Girl Scouts can make the world a better place. We are honored she was selected for this award and look forward to seeing what the future holds for this passionate young change-maker.”
Lander’s largest and favorite project she has done was creating a toy borrow bin at Holmes Beach. She has always loved the ocean and the environment. She placed a sign on it about keeping oceans and beaches clean so turtles can make it to the water.
“The bin itself helps reduce plastic waste and helps to keep the trash off of the beach and out of the water and away from the animals,” Zoe Lander said. “That's important.”
Lander plans to continue her volunteer work and ultimately make a difference after high school when she chooses a career. She is thinking about pursuing aquatic animal medicine.
“We're lucky to have her in our community, and we know that she's going to inspire, and has been inspiring, her circle of friends and the community to live in that space of philanthropy, to give back and to make others' lives better,” Thames said. “She's an inspiration to us all.”
The honorees will receive their awards at the “Spirit of Manatee – The Celebration of Philanthropy” event on March 25. Tickets are on sale.
“We want to be those who inspire philanthropy,” Thames said. “We want to make philanthropy accessible and available. Anyone can be a philanthropist and make a difference.”
