Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/297477
The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, whose mission is to improve the health and well being of Sarasota's pregnant women, infants and young children, has announced it will hold its first spring luncheon fundraiser, Giving Sarasota a Healthy Start. The event will take place in the grand foyer of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota on Friday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m., a news release says. Guests will be treated to food — including desserts — and wine catered by Mattison's; a performance by Stage Door Preschool of the Arts; a city proclamation presented by City Commissioner Suzanne Atwell, a Healthy Start board member who also will serve as mistress of ceremonies; and a keynote address by Jack Levine, founder of the 4Generations Institute. "I'm a supporter of the excellent services for maternal, infant and childhood health pro- vided by Healthy Start Coalitions in every county of Florida and know that Sarasota's successful program services are reaching thousands of your community's families," said Levine in the release. The Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County served 1,356 pregnant women and 903 infants last year, the release points out. Among its free services are child-care coordination; classes on caring for babies, parenting and childbirth; programs to help people stop smoking, to help women maintain a healthy pregnancy weight and to reduce stress; postpartum depression counseling; and breastfeeding support, the release notes. Tickets to Giving Sarasota a Healthy Start are $75. Sponsorship tickets begin at $150 and include a VIP reception presented by Vin Cella Wine Cellar to welcome new Healthy Start Executive Director Shon Ewens. For registration or more information, visit healthystartsarasota.org/givingluncheon. For more information about the Healthy Start Coalition, call 373-7070 or visit healthystartsarasota.org. FIRST GIVING SARASOTA A HEALTHY START LUNCHEON PLANNED Sarasota News Leader April 18, 2014 Page 86