University Park Women's Club raises $22,300 for local nonprofits

By Madison Bierl
| 12:45 p.m. February 21, 2026

University Park Women’s Club members Kristy Schubert and Fifi Queen co-chaired the “An Evening at SEA” fundraiser that raised $22,300. The funds will benefit two nonprofits — Women's Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

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During an exclusive after-hours event at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium, people gathered to take in the sights — sharks, fish, jellyfish and more.

But they also gathered for something more: a cause.

The University Park Women’s Club raised $22,300 from the An Evening at SEA fundraiser that took place Feb. 19 at Mote Science Education Aquarium. The funds will be split evenly between two nonprofits, Women’s Resource Center and Feeding Empty Little Tummies.

The event was co-chaired by University Park Women’s Club members Kristy Schubert and Fifi Queen. The club has 484 members, and approximately 300 people attended in celebration of the club's 25 years.

“I love to donate anything that's going to make a charity successful,” Queen said. “We have a lot of underprivileged people in both counties (Manatee and Sarasota) and the economy right now is not in favor of a lot of things. We're able to help these two charities.”

Women's Resource Center director of philanthropy Gray Videnka, director of client services Brent Giangregorio and CEO Ashley Brown celebrate the support they are to receive from the University Park Women's Club.

The Women’s Resource Center serves women and families in Sarasota and Manatee County. It provides a wide range of services including career coaching, money workshops, mental health counseling, scholarships and more.

Ashley Brown, the CEO of Women's Resource Center, said the programs are designed to help women and families build economic security and resiliency.

“We meet women where they are,” Brown said. “For some, it could be a short term fix. They might need an outfit from our Career Closet or they're looking for a new job and need career coaching. For others, they're with us for years as we're supporting them with educational scholarships and wraparound services. They're changing the whole trajectory of their families.”

Brown said the University Park Women’s Club has supported the organization with scholarships and volunteer time. She is grateful they provide their “time, talent and treasure.”

“These are mainly retired people who could be doing anything,” Brown said. “The fact that they choose to take on philanthropy as part of their journey is so wonderful. For our clients, it makes a difference knowing that they have a whole community behind them, cheering them on and supporting them in their endeavors. It’s neighbors helping neighbors.”

Jessica Ryherd, executive director of Feeding Empty Little Tummies, was joined by her 19-year-old daughter Alex for "An Evening at SEA." Alex said she always appreciates seeing all of the help the women provide when they come and volunteer at the warehouse.

Feeding Empty Little Tummies is a nonprofit organization that feeds children in need — typically those who receive free and reduced breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday while at school — and in Manatee County on the weekends. The bags consist of two breakfasts, two lunches, two dinners and snacks.

Jessica Ryherd, executive director of Feeding Empty Little Tummies, said the organization is built on support from the community. She appreciates when women from the club volunteer as it is about more than just packing the bags. It’s also about the relationships.

“It's shown me how loving, thoughtful and strong these women are,” Ryherd said. “They've done great things throughout their lives and now they're at a point where they can give back. It warms my heart that they choose to give back to us, and the relationships are invaluable.”

The current age group they serve is kindergarten through seniors in high school. Ryherd said they are working toward a new program, Tiny Tummies, which would serve children between 3 and 6 years old.

Daria Charlesworth and Heidi Goff, who serve as president and first vice president of the University Park Women's Club, were eager to host the event at the new Mote Science Education Aquarium. The club is celebrating 25 years.

The event featured 51 silent auction baskets from 92 donors and offered guests appetizers and craft cocktails.

Schubert said the staff at Mote provided incredible service and responsiveness throughout the whole planning process and she is grateful to have been able to host an event surrounded by such beautiful wildlife.

“Guests entered in runway styles,” Schubert said. “Both men and women dazzled in their evening apparel and made an impression among the illuminating background of the Mote aquarium.”

Heidi Goff is the first vice president of the University Park Women’s Club. She said the club is an amazing way to make friends and volunteer.

“We’re privileged,” Goff said. “It's good to be a social organization, but it feels even better if you're social and engaging in the community and making it a better place.”

author

Madison Bierl

Madison Bierl is the education and community reporter for the East County Observer. She grew up in Iowa and studied at the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication at Iowa State University.