Kiwanians present record-breaking check from Lawn Party

A contribution of $123,900 has the potential to positively affect many local families navigating the foster care system. Members of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key officially presented that contribution to the Children's Guardian Fund at their Feb. 5 meeting, wrapping up the 2025 Lawn Party foodie fundraiser.

Past-president Michal Garey offered a brief history of the Lawn Party, which has evolved over the years into one of the most highly attended annual events on Longboat Key.

He said this Lawn Party contribution eclipsed the previous record of $107,000. He said this is exceptional because, while costs have gone up, ticket prices haven't.

Garey thanked the community members who helped make the event's return from the hurricane-based hiatus a resounding success. He offered special commendation to Frank and Katherine Martucci, who won the integral 50/50 raffle and, rather than collect their winnings, decided to donate their portion back to the club.

Frank told Kiwanians he felt compelled to give back, especially as he thought of his father and uncles who served in World War II.

"We've always lived by the principle from Ralph Waldo Emerson, who states, 'We're all just a small part of nature, revolving in a circle, from which our actions become picture books of our creed,'" he said. "To me, it was not making a gift. It was doing what we were supposed to do."

Kiwanis President Danielle Gladding thanked them as well, saying, "We could not be more grateful."

All told, the Lawn Party generated $86,100 from net proceeds, $17,800 from the Martuccis, $15,000 from the Doris M. Carter Family Foundation match, and $5,000 from an additional donation from Mayor Ken Schneier and Cynthia Craig.

Craig said when accepting a certificate of appreciation that her 15 years of working with the Florida Guardian ad Litem program were the most rewarding of her life. The Children's Guardian Fund helps support Guardian ad Litems and the work they do in representing and meeting the needs of children in the foster care system in DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Garey also thanked the artists who facilitated the art auction and all the club members who helped with everything from wiping down more than 700 wet chairs the morning of the event to keeping all the attendees safe, happy and fed. He also recognized the contributions of the late Woody Wolverton, who was a longtime champion of the event.