Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/313059
For the past decade, Paul Welch has been supporting First Step of Sarasota fundraising events, making Santa Claus gifts possible for clients at Christmas and providing many other private financial donations, a news release says. "Initially, his gifts were anonymous, as he did not want to generate fanfare," the release continues. More recently, he has allowed First Step to recognize him as an event sponsor, and he was honored as the 2011 Caring Heart of the Year at the organization's Caring Hearts Luncheon, the release explains. When First Step constructed a new building a couple of years ago on Northgate Court in Sarasota, "Welch stepped up to provide assistance," the release points out. On May 9, First Step honored him by naming the com- munity room in that new facility for him, the release says. The Welch Family Foundation Community Room is used for client meals and group activities, alumni events and AA meet- ings, and it is also available for other public functions, the release adds. "Welch's generosity in Sarasota does not start and end with First Step," the release notes. "Since moving to Sarasota in 1989, he has also supported the Sarasota YMCA Teen Theater, the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, The Salvation Army, the Sarasota Opera and many more organizations." FIRST STEP RECOGNIZES WELCH BY NAMING ROOM IN HIS HONOR Paul Welch (fourth from right) receives recognition from representatives of First Step of Sarasota in appreciation of his years of generosity. Contributed photo Sarasota News Leader May 16, 2014 Page 85