what the community thinks about the idea of
expanding recreation opportunities."
After the Sarasota County Commission heard
a proposal on March 5 that involved pad-
dleboard rentals at Siesta Public Beach, it
directed staff to bring back a report on public
safety, regulation and the feasibility of offer-
ing stand-up paddleboard rentals through a
third-party vendor on Siesta Key. During the
meeting, commissioners talked about reduc-
ing the size of the public swim zone to create a
corridor where watercraft could be launched
and maneuvered out into the Gulf of Mexico
beyond the swim zone, the release points out.
Sarasota County has 35 miles of coastline
with only six miles of county-owned beaches
that are patrolled by lifeguards, the release
adds.
"Right now anyone can launch a kayak or
stand-up paddleboard in hundreds of places
around Sarasota County," said Wisner in the
release. "We just want to know what people
think about reducing a small portion of desig-
nated swim zones for this use."
For more information, visit scgov.net or con-
tact the Sarasota County Contact Center at
861-5000.
Goodwill Manasota is partnering with the
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County
(BGCSC) for a donation drive through Aug. 2
to benefit Great Futures Academy, a program
that works to prevent summer learning loss,
the nonprofit has announced.
A Goodwill Manasota truck will be in the Lee
Wetherington Boys & Girls Club parking lot
at 3100 Fruitville Road from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
today and Saturday to accept clothing, shoes,
books and small household items, a news
release says.
"Goodwill Manasota will make a cash contri-
bution to BGCSC for every pound of donations
received," it adds.
"We are proud to partner with Goodwill
Manasota, where the proceeds from this col-
laborative donation drive will greatly help our
Great Futures Academy students stay on track
academically during the summer break," said
Bill Sadlo, president & CEO of Boys & Girls
Clubs of Sarasota County. "Improving the lives
of our kids and their families is strategically
beneficial to the entire Sarasota Community."
The Great Futures Academy program has
enrolled 60 children, up to the third-grade
level, the release explains. "The students are
taught in a controlled educational environ-
ment every morning for three hours during
the summer months," it continues. The pro-
gram also employs social workers to assist
parents of the children in furthering their
education as well, along with helping those
adults enhance their job and parenting skills,
the release points out.
Other partners for the donation drive are the
Community Foundation of Sarasota County,
United Way Suncoast, the Rotary Club of
Sarasota and CTQ 106.5.
"Education is a central focus for Goodwill,"
said Bob Rosinsky, president & CEO of
Goodwill Manasota, in the release. "In fact,
Goodwill invested 15,000 hours into educa-
tion for team members and partners last year
because we know it's that important."
DONATION DRIVE PLANNED TO PREVENT SUMMER LEARNING LOSS
Sarasota News Leader August 1, 2014 Page 83
