Suncoast Stars Community's Jenny Audet, Julie Audet and Laurel Audet are grateful for the program that provides a wide array of activities including dance, music, fitness and nutrition, knitting, Bible study, crafts, and more.
Photo by Madison Bierl
East County
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Under a bright morning sky Feb. 28, people of differing cognitive and physical abilities laced up their shoes — running, walking and rolling — in support of a nonprofit that provides life-enriching programs for adults with disabilities.
Suncoast Stars Community hosted its second annual Stride to Thrive 5K/1 mile Walk and Family Fun Fest at Grace Community Church.
Mary Lou Fenton and her husband, Bob, founded Suncoast Stars Community in 2022 for individuals with developmental, intellectual and physical disabilities. They operate at Tabernacle Church, located at 4141 DeSoto Road.
Mary Lou Fenton said it is important to realize that every day, the people they serve struggle with things like processing information, coordinating movements, controlling impulses, and managing emotions.
"When they finish high school, most don't go on to college or go on to pursue a career, or live in their own apartment," Mary Lou Fenton said. "Most will never drive a car. It's hard for them to find jobs. Life is very different for them."
At Suncoast Stars Community, the stars part of the name stands for specially talented adults raising standards. Those members participate in dance, music, fitness, nutrition, knitting, crafts, Bible study, and more.
Liz Raedeke, who served as the race director, teaches dance and fitness classes. Members performed one of the dances for attendees at the race.
"Seeing the community coming together to lift up our stars and support our mission to enrich the lives of adults with developmental disabilities is an incredible feeling," Raedeke said. "It is truly by the grace of God that we have had so many wonderful people cross our paths to get involved with our organization."
Julie Audet is a board member at Suncoast Stars Community. Her two daughters, Jenny and Laurel, are stars. She said the program brings so much joy to all of the adults who attend. She said it is an honor to be part of it.
"We need more individuals who aren't parents to help, because we are aging," Audet said. "This is this is the most rewarding thing I've ever done in my life."
East County's Camila Braga, a member of the Suncoast Stars Community, celebrates as she crosses the finish line at the nonprofit's second annual Stride to Thrive 5K.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Jeff Yoder and Bradenton's Gabe Carlin, 15, both attend Lakewood Ranch Baptist Church. They both participated in the Suncoast Stars Community event.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Emily Fenton and Liz Raedeke launch into a high five after a dance performance during the Stride to Thrive 5K event.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Anabella Alger places first in the Under 19 age group.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Mary Lou Fenton, the founder of Suncoast Stars Community, says she wants the members to know they have a purpose and a future.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Matthew Buncik finishes the Stride to Thrive event. He is a sponsor of the event with Buntech Construction and also has family members who are part of the Suncoast Stars Community.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Luanne and Rick Lemke cross the finish line at the Suncoast Stars Community's second annual Stride to Thrive 5K.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Eliezer Freitas crosses the finish line for the 5K.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Sarasota's Kurt Chupp checks his watch as he finishes the race with a time of 20:13.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Bradenton's Amy Mikovic, 54, places first in her age group at the Suncoast Stars Community'S Stride to Thrive 5K.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Matt Tomaino, a member of Suncoast Stars Community, performs a coordinated dance alongside his fellow dancers. He says he loves the movements and loves his friends.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Emily Fenton is the daughter of Mary Lou and Bob Fenton and is the inspiration behind the founding of Suncoast Stars Community.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Members of Suncoast Stars Community congratulate each other for completing their dance performance for family, friends and community members who attended the event.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Julie Audet, a board member at Suncoast Stars Community, gives her daughter, Jenny, an award for placing second in her age group for the Suncoast Stars Community's Stride to Thrive 5K.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Suncoast Stars Community founder Mary Lou Fenton and Board Member Julie Audet congratulate Gabe Carlin on placing second in his age group.
Photo by Madison Bierl
James Miller, who is visiting from Ohio, was the first to cross the finish line for the 5K in 17:53.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Lakewood Ranch's Anthony Pressimone and Joe Suh were the winners of the males between 50-54 age group.
Maureen Stanton, Kimberly Norman and Rosanne Desjardins place in the top three in the 60 and over age group for women.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Mary Lou Fenton and her daughter, Emily Fenton, are glad to bring the community together to spread the word about the Suncoast Stars Community program.
Photo by Madison Bierl
Community members stretch before beginning the Suncoast Stars Community's second annual Stride to Thrive 5K.
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.
