44 SARASOTA SCENE | FEBRUARY 2018
philanthropy
in the Young Artist Program. The only
professional black theater company
on Florida’s west coast, Jacobs and
his troupe mentor and inspire many
African-American youth and young
adults through participation in their
company. The not-yet-achieved $6
million campaign goal will transform
the organization’s 2.5-acre, twobuilding
campus at 10th Street and
Orange Avenue into a state-of-theart
performing arts center, create an
endowment fund for the future of the
troupe, and more fully develop its
education program.
Aaron is also a staunch supporter of
the Neuro Challenge Foundation, a
improving the quality of life of people
with Parkinson’s and their caregivers.
“This cause is very close to my heart,”
she says, which comes as no surprise
since her husband suffered from this
disease for many years. In the past year
alone, the Foundation served more
than 2,000 people with Parkinson’s and
their families in Manatee, Sarasota,
Charlotte, and South Pinellas counties.
A year ago, Aaron broke her femur in
an accident. “Not a fall!” she notes. As
a result, she’s looking to ease back on
her obligations these days. It’s simply
harder to get around. But she loves
Sarasota—the weather, the beaches, the
culture, the people. Try as she might
to keep her schedule under control,
her love for this community and her
profound interest in helping people
“I know that my age is against me,”
admits Aaron. “But I have to do what
I can while I’m here. I’m hurrying.
Maybe I can’t run anymore, but my
mind is racing.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
on The Glasser/Schoenbaum
Human Services Center, please visit
www.gs-humanservices.org.
/www.gs-humanservices.org
/www.dinanrealtygroup.com