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The Pines of Sarasota Foundation has suc- cessfully met a $65,000 match offered by an anonymous donor of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and has strengthened its capacity — fundraising and digital — in the process, the Community Foundation has announced. The $65,000 Challenge was conceived in honor of the organization's 65 years of service to the community, a news release points out. It was launched during the Pines' Wit & Wisdom Luncheon on Oct. 30, 2013, and it concluded 65 days later, on Jan. 2, the release notes. Other elements of the campaign beyond fund- raising included reaching goals of 650 "likes" on Facebook and 65 followers on Twitter and the creation of 65 stories of Pines residents, families, rehab patients, staff, volunteers and donors to be shared on the Pines website, e-newsletter and Facebook, the release con- tinues. "All goals were reached; most were exceeded handily," the release adds. Ron Royal, vice chairman of the Pines Foundation, "was thrilled to see that the Challenge served to generate new annual donors who became Giving Tree Society PINES OF SARASOTA FOUNDATION MEETS $65,000 MATCH (From left) Roxie Jerde, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, presents the ceremonial check to John Overton, president and CEO of the Pines of Sarasota, and Estelle Crawford, Pines Foundation president. Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader March 14, 2014 Page 82