Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/281176
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County has announced that the annual Season of Sharing campaign reached new heights, breaking the $2 million mark. "These funds will help more than 2,800 individuals and families on the verge of homelessness to stay in their homes," a news release points out. This year's campaign, which launched the week of Thanksgiving, outpaced previous years, reaching the $1 million mark in early January, the release adds. "Also notewor- thy was the speed at which The Patterson Foundation's $500,000 match for new and increased gifts was reached," it says. When campaign organizers met with area philanthro- pists Chuck and Margie Barancik — whose gift of $100,000 last year helped the commu- nity meet the match — discussion centered on the possibility of aiming for a goal of $2 million, the release explains. In mid-January, with the campaign standing at $1.6 million, the Baranciks pledged $150,000 to be activated when the community cam- paign reached $1.8 million. The Patterson Foundation agreed to match the $50,000 increase in the Baranciks' gift. Season of Sharing prevents homelessness by providing targeted financial assistance of up to $1,000 (per family, per year) for crucial needs such as rent, mortgages and utilities, as well as for other expenses, such as car repairs, childcare and food vouchers, the release explains. "While most of the funds are raised around the holiday season, from November through January, assistance from the Season of Sharing Fund is available all year long through participating social ser- vice agencies for those in need in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties," it points out. "Our nonprofit partners are critical in iden- tifying those in need and administering the funds," the Foundation release contin- ues. "They do this without any administrative fees — just like the rest of the partners — showing their caring and compassion and ensuring more families on the brink are able to stay in their homes." A significant feature of Season of Sharing is that none of the participating organizations takes any fees or receives reimbursements for overhead expenses related to the Season of Sharing campaign, the release notes. One hundred percent of all donations "go to direct assistance for families at risk of homeless- ness," the release adds. More than 130 businesses contributed gifts ranging from $15 to $7,500, resulting in nearly $43,000 in Season of Sharing contributions. Of the nearly 3,700 gifts, the release contin- ues, 70 percent were $100 or less. "The Patterson Foundation, which has will- ingly and happily exceeded its match limit for new and increased gifts for several years (con- tributing $540,000 in 2012 and $555,000 last SEASON OF SHARING EXCEEDS THE $2 MILLION MARK IN GIFTS Sarasota News Leader March 21, 2014 Page 78