Sarasota News Leader

08/01/2014

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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

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