- July 25, 2026
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When Brenda Critchfield, the executive director of Avenue941, became part of one of the many nonprofits in Manatee County, she felt a sense of community.
She said there is little competition as they are all working to make a difference. Critchfield loves to see each of them succeed to provide for people in need.
Avenue941 is a free and academically focused after-school program in Manatee County serving students K-12.
Helping such nonprofits reach their goals is the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation, which presented Avenue941 with a $5,000 grant during the Recognition and Refreshments event to honor 2025 grant recipients at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing March 5.
The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation gave $90,000 in grants to 22 nonprofits in 2025.
“Every foundation should do this type of grant recipient ceremony to give the nonprofits the opportunity to share and express their gratitude for what the donors have done,” Critchfield said. “I love they do this. This is the first time I've been invited by a foundation for something small and intimate like this, where we can get to know each other.”
Maribeth Phillips is the president and CEO of Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee. She said the $2,000 grant received from the LWRCF is going toward a beautification project — mulching a garden bed and planting flowers — for the adult daycare program Daybreak in Lakewood Ranch.
Daybreak provides nutrition information, exercise, crafts, and games such as Bingo. Phillips said Daybreak is funded for 100 clients and is the only adult daycare in Manatee County.
“It's a wonderful program to give the caregiver a break, because these are clients who live at home, but they can't stay home alone,” Phillips said. “As we take care of our senior clients, it is important they feel and see the beautiful surroundings when they come to our daycare center. This grant is supporting us as a way to make (the center) look great and to cause happiness.”
Melissa Wandall is the president of the Mark Wandall Foundation, which provides support to grieving families who have lost a parent, sibling or guardian. She has always said “children should not grieve alone ever in this life” and is grateful for the support from the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation and the $7,500 grant.
“In Manatee County alone, one in 18 kids will have a parent or sibling die by the time that they are 18,” Wandall said. “You connect in power when you are a child in grief and you know that you're not isolated and you're not alone. Everybody in the room has a parent or a sibling loss, and so it brings everybody together and empowers them to keep moving forward in life.”
The Wirth family — 14-year-old Jaxson, 10-year-old Addison and their mother Jennifer — lost their father and husband, Don, in 2018. Because of the program, they have been able to connect with other families and attend Comfort Zone Camp. Jaxson has attended seven years and Addison has for two.
“I do remember the first thing he (Jaxson) said when he came back home was he can just walk into the camp and everybody just gets it,” Jennifer Wirth said. “You don't have to explain.”
Kelly Gilliland, a member of the grants committee for LWRCF, said it is meaningful to hear from the nonprofits to know where the money is going. It makes it tangible and real.
“I feel like this is the heart of our community — giving back and helping others and helping nonprofits,” Gilliland. “It’s such a meaningful part of life.”
“It's wonderful to see so many friends in the nonprofit world here,” Phillips said. “They’re all doing good work and supporting those in need in our county. The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation has transitioned to an important community resource.”
