Community marches in honor of Betty Schoenbaum's birthday

Sept. 27 has always been a big day for Betty Schoenbaum, but this year the day carries particular significance.

This year she's celebrating her birthday with a little more pomp and circumstance than usual. In honor of Schoenbaum’s 100th birthday, the city of Sarasota declared Sept. 27 Heart to Heart Hug Day.

“She hugs by turning her ‘hugee’ to her left, so that both hearts beat together,” the proclamation read.

The prolific philanthropist has contributed millions to Sarasota nonprofits and other organizations nationwide.

Known affectionately as Sarasota’s Queen of Philanthropy, Schoenbaum has been an ardent supporter of All Faiths Food Bank, the Women’s Resource Center, the Boys and Girls Club among several others.

In a small ceremony at her home, city officials and family members gathered to thank Schoenbaum and recognize her legacy of giving.

She said her day, much like her life, is about giving.

“Giving is living,” Schoenbaum said.

It's a philosophy that has created quite a following in the Sarasota philanthropic circle. There is hardly an organization in Sarasota that hasn't benefited from Schoenbaum's unmitigated generosity, and later that day they made sure to express their gratitude. 

Representatives from nonprofits and organizations such as Salvation Army, Planned Parenthood and the Community Foundation paraded down Gulfstream Avenue with signs wishing the recent centenarian congratulations on her big day. 

Each organization took turns standing in front of Schoenbaum's balcony, yelling their birthday wishes. 

It was an appropriate ending to a day named for her trademark greeting — her hug. Schoenbaum said it’s not only about making someone feel welcome, it’s about making someone feel loved.

“There is so much hatred in this world,” she said. “Hatred is destroying this world. If we pass a little love around … maybe people will learn to love again.”