- April 25, 2024
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Brandi Ezell of SMART accepts a grant for $3,000 from Lakewood Ranch Community Fund President Garrett Shinn.
Neuro Challenge Foundation's Ron Beck, Mike Wick and Robyn Faucy-Washington receive a check for $5,000 from board member David Fink.
Board member Lori Ruth, middle back, presents a check for $6,400 to (back row) Wendy Orlando, Lindsey Wagner, Melissa Wandall, Brian Tucker and (front row) Sydney Wagner and Hailey Wagner representing the Mark Wandall Foundation.
Board member Chris Romine, third from left, gives a check for $3,000 to the Junior League of Manatee County's Bobbi Jayne Vitale, Heather Coy, Lauren Geraldson, Amanda Broadway and Erika Lisch.
Andria Bilan and Sandra Chapnick of Josh Provides receive a check for $1,380 from board member David Fink.
Dana Johnston, the CEO of InStride Therapy, accepts a $3,000 check from board member Lori Ruth.
Mary Ann Servian, the CEO of the Girl Scouts of Suncoast, receives a grant for $2,000 from board member David Fink.
Lori Ruth presents a grant for $5,000 to Lydia Gartner of Foundation for Dreams.
Victoria Kasdan, the executive director of We Care Manatee, receives a grant of $5,000 from board member Chris Romine.
Jim Keiner of Stillpoint Mission receives the largest grant of $6,500 from board member David Fink.
Kim McAfee of Rowlett Academy receives a grant for $2,350 from board member Chris Romine.
Board member Lori Ruth hands Roger Brown of the St. Joseph Food Pantry a check for $2,000.
Rob and Dari Oglesby of Nate's Honor Animal Rescue accept a grant for $2,220 from President Garrett Shinn.
Executive Director Mary Smith of Family Network of Disabilities accepts a grant for $4,000 from President Garrett Shinn.
Jacque Ruch, the vice president of programs for Easterseals Southwest Florida, receives a grant for $5,000 from board member Chris Romine.
It wasn't just about the $1,380 grant Josh Provides received from the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund Sept. 14 at Northern Trust.
"This provides us with a gold seal of credibility," said Sandra Chapnick, the CEO of Josh Provides.
Josh Provides sets up support groups for those living with epilepsy along with their family, friends and caregivers. Members of the group can share experiences, receive moral support and emotional comfort and can ask questions. Those with epilepsy often have feelings of loneliness and isolation.
The $1,380 helps to pay expenses for that group, such as maintenance for the room at the State College of Florida Lakewood Ranch that Josh Provides uses the first Tuesday of each month. The support group is provided at no cost.
Chapnick knows the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund board did exhaustive research on the 40 grant applications it received for this year. By making Josh Provides one of the 22 grant recipients, Chapnick said the Community Fund has acknowledged the group's importance to the community.
The Community Fund has presented $1.3 million in grants since 2000 with General Electric being its largest donor at $422,000. The Community Fund distributed $83,500 this year.
"This is a celebration of all the hard work we have done," Community Fund President Garrett Shinn said about the grant ceremony.
The largest grant of $6,500 was presented to Stillpoint Mission to support its basic food program. The Mark Wandall Foundation received the second-highest grant at $6,400.
"I can't thank the community enough," said Melissa Wandall, who lost her husband, Mark, in a auto accident in 2003 and then started the foundation in his name to provide support and assistance to grieving children who have lost a family member or guardian. "This completely impacts children. If you want to know who you are impacting, here they are."
Melissa Wandall pointed to Brian Tucker, Hailey Wagner and Sydney Wagner, who all had lost their dads.
"(The foundation) helps when you go through grief," Tucker said. "It provides a connection, a buddy system. It means a lot."
