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Safe Children Coalition names 2026 Champions for Children


  • By Lori Sax
  • | 11:59 a.m. March 27, 2026
Drayton Saunders acceps a Champion For Children award for MSC Foundation and President and CEO of Safe Children Coalition Brena Slater
Drayton Saunders acceps a Champion For Children award for MSC Foundation and President and CEO of Safe Children Coalition Brena Slater
Photo by Lori Sax
  • Black Tie
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CAMERA READY

What: Giving Breakfast

Benefiting: Safe Children Coalition

When: March 26

Where: Michael's On East


CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN:

  • Drayton Saunders, The MSC Foundation of Michael Saunders & Co.
  • Phillip Lanham, and the staff of the Gulf Coast Community Foundation
  • Colleen Thayer and NAMI of Sarasota and Manatee Counties
SCC President and CEO Brena Slater  and Board Chair Tony Gamelin
SCC President and CEO Brena Slater and Board Chair Tony Gamelin
Photo by Lori Sax
Honored guest Aiyana Wilson and Wendy Readus
Honored guest Aiyana Wilson and Wendy Readus
Photo by Lori Sax
Ann Walborn, Betsy Johnston, NAMI CEO Colleen Taylor accepting a Champion For Children Award, Safe Children Coalition President and CEO Brena Slater and Dr. Paul Couzelis
Ann Walborn, Betsy Johnston, NAMI CEO Colleen Taylor accepting a Champion For Children Award, Safe Children Coalition President and CEO Brena Slater and Dr. Paul Couzelis
Photo by Lori Sax
Jeff Speers, Community Foundation CEO Phillip Lanham accepts the Champion For Children Award, Sasha Payette, SCC President and CEO Brena Slater and Jennifer Johnston
Jeff Speers, Community Foundation CEO Phillip Lanham accepts the Champion For Children Award, Sasha Payette, SCC President and CEO Brena Slater and Jennifer Johnston
Photo by Lori Sax
Safe Children Coalition President and CEO Brena Slater with committee member Betsy Pecor
Safe Children Coalition President and CEO Brena Slater with committee member Betsy Pecor
Photo by Lori Sax
Tonia Hutchinson and Safe Children Coalition Vice President Robin Jensen
Tonia Hutchinson and Safe Children Coalition Vice President Robin Jensen
Photo by Lori Sax
Kirsten Russell, Jacqueline House, Paul Couzelis and T.J. Goelz
Kirsten Russell, Jacqueline House, Paul Couzelis and T.J. Goelz
Photo by Lori Sax
Ian Black, Phillip Lanham, Deb Kabinoff and Barbara Siemer
Ian Black, Phillip Lanham, Deb Kabinoff and Barbara Siemer
Photo by Lori Sax
Jessica Polk, Colleen Thayer and Sonya Johnson
Jessica Polk, Colleen Thayer and Sonya Johnson
Photo by Lori Sax
Jenny Slusser, Dave Stone, Joan Geyer and Sally Schule
Jenny Slusser, Dave Stone, Joan Geyer and Sally Schule
Photo by Lori Sax
Ted Lewis and Stephanie Coachman
Ted Lewis and Stephanie Coachman
Photo by Lori Sax
Drayton Saunders with Liz and Alex Bonnett
Drayton Saunders with Liz and Alex Bonnett
Photo by Lori Sax
Jody Jester and Eric Price
Jody Jester and Eric Price
Photo by Lori Sax
Jennifer Johnston, Mitzie Henson, Michelle Croft and Rebecca Abramson
Jennifer Johnston, Mitzie Henson, Michelle Croft and Rebecca Abramson
Photo by Lori Sax
Heather Todd, Tom Urfer and Megan Baxter
Heather Todd, Tom Urfer and Megan Baxter
Photo by Lori Sax
Beth Green and Jenn Stutler
Beth Green and Jenn Stutler
Photo by Lori Sax
Colleen Buscemi, Jill Steiner and Sarah Hawk
Colleen Buscemi, Jill Steiner and Sarah Hawk
Photo by Lori Sax
Joe Girvan emcees the morning.
Joe Girvan emcees the morning.
Photo by Lori Sax
Yolanda Mancha, Kathy Marshall and Randi Riley
Yolanda Mancha, Kathy Marshall and Randi Riley
Photo by Lori Sax
Tara Poulton and Veronica Thames
Tara Poulton and Veronica Thames
Photo by Lori Sax
Jill Gass and Beth Green
Jill Gass and Beth Green
Photo by Lori Sax
Karen Holbrook and Graci McGillicuddy
Karen Holbrook and Graci McGillicuddy
Photo by Lori Sax
Kent Hayes and Judith Schwartzbaum
Kent Hayes and Judith Schwartzbaum
Photo by Lori Sax
Diana Caicedo, Amanda Quintana Descardenas, Abigail Williams and Carolyn Northup
Diana Caicedo, Amanda Quintana Descardenas, Abigail Williams and Carolyn Northup
Photo by Lori Sax
 Keke Liggins and Leanette Williams
Keke Liggins and Leanette Williams
Photo by Lori Sax
Adam Balas, Natasha Amedio and Matthew and Michele Rzepa
Adam Balas, Natasha Amedio and Matthew and Michele Rzepa
Photo by Lori Sax
Dr. Christopher Cortman and Stacy Schaeffer
Dr. Christopher Cortman and Stacy Schaeffer
Photo by Lori Sax
Camilla King, Brandi Roebuck and Lucylea Blecke
Camilla King, Brandi Roebuck and Lucylea Blecke
Photo by Lori Sax
The ballroom was full for breakfast and the program.
The ballroom was full for breakfast and the program.
Photo by Lori Sax
Betty Mehardi, honored guest Aiyana Draper and Claudia Sbaschnik
Betty Mehardi, honored guest Aiyana Draper and Claudia Sbaschnik
Photo by Lori Sax

 

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