DECEMBER 2017 | SARASOTA SCENE 45
Located at 700 John Ringling Blvd. on Sarasota Bay,
Plymouth Harbor started out in 1966 as a vision of The
Rev. Dr. John Whitney MacNeil, who saw it as a progressive,
interfaith residential community for retired
clergy and teachers. Today, its campus attracts national
contributions to Sarasota’s arts, culture and education.
In 2016 alone, gifts to the foundation topped $4 million
— $2.525 million in current gifts and pledges and
$1.546 million in deferred giving.
According to its website, members
of the resident population, their
families, employees and philanthropists
in the broader community
have donated over $12
“We have staff, residents,
and board members who
provide over 11,000 hours of
million to perpetuate Plymouth
Harbor’s mission of providing the
most positive aging experience
possible.
Sibley said The Plymouth
Harbor Foundation’s culture of
philanthropy is built on three
pillars of value: benevolence,
fellowship and a zest for life —
and three funds were established
for these purposes. One is the
employee assistance fund, which
also supports a new wellness program called OnBoard,
motivate and reduce stress among employees. The
others focus on resident assistance and a program that
provides innovations and enhancements to preserve
Plymouth Harbor’s quality of life. Recent improvements
include the construction of a new wellness center, the
Hall, the installation of portable massage chairs and
engaging musicians to perform during Sunday brunches.
In addition, an array of classes is offered in art, wood-
-
mer’s and Parkinson’s.
“We can always build a structure out of bricks and
mortar,” Sibley said. “But we also need programs and
classes to help our residents and the outside public,
She added another service provided by the foundation
is a little-known volunteer effort that serves the
greater Sarasota community.
“We have staff, residents, and board members who provide
over 11,000 hours of service annually in our community
with nearly 90 different groups such as the All Faiths
Food Bank, Meals On Wheels, and Resurrection House,”
Sibley said. “Not many people know about that.”
her own practice for 35 years.
She and her husband, Whit,
moved to Sarasota from Denver
seven years ago. Now retired,
the Plymouth Harbor Foundation
is to raise funds to support its
programs, funds and initiatives.
As the daughter of a resident who
has lived in Plymouth Harbor for
the last 22 years, she also is a
member of the Harbor Club Wait
List — a registry of souls aiming
to one day live there.
“It’s a pretty long list of folks
like me,” she said. “Baby Boomers
who know eventually they may
need assisted care. My father will
service annually in our
community with nearly 90
different groups such as the All
Faiths Food Bank, Meals On
Wheels, and Resurrection House.”
soon be 97 and I’ve seen what Plymouth Harbor’s philanthropy
has done to not only stabilize his life, but stabilize
our family’s life, too. That’s why it was so natural for me
to get involved with Plymouth Harbor, as a thank you to
them for taking care of my parents.”
Sibley added The Plymouth Harbor Foundation’s
future is “limitless” in terms of the good it can accomplish
for generations to come.
need the services of continued wellbeing and living,”
she said. “We need to be able to provide those and
They are interested in providing themselves — and
their neighbors — with a long, fruitful life, continuing
on in all the pursuits they have. I see a bright future for
for the employees, too, whose own families have served
the place for generations.”