A Celebration Of Women Making A Difference
In Lakewood Ranch…
WORDS: Jessica Schubick
PICTURES: Wendy Dewhurst
In February, the Lakewood Ranch Community Fund marked
Valentine’s Day with a very special event – their annual
Galentine celebration. More than 130 attendees gathered at
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing in Lakewood Ranch for a cocktail
reception and program honoring the women of the Lakewood
Ranch Community Fund Women’s Giving Circles.
Community Fund President Garrett Shinn explained: “The
Galentine event provides an opportunity for existing circles and
their members to come
together to celebrate
accomplishments over
the past year, network with
others, share ideas and
passion for philanthropy. It
is also a great opportunity
for those that are not
currently a circle member
to attend in order to catch
a glimpse of the impact the
circles have. Our hope is
they join an existing circle
or form a new one.”
The Community Fund
currently has six Women’s
Giving Circles representing Lakewood Ranch, East Manatee and
Sarasota Counties. Those include:
• Lakewood Ranch Women's Charitable Fund
• Together We Give Giving Circle Fund
• Sisterhood for Good Fund
• Lakewood Ranch Women Giving ope Fund
• The Lake Club “TLC” Women's Giving Circle Fund
• Cheers for Charity Giving Circle Fund
Women’s Giving Circles have been active in the Lakewood Ranch
community since 2010. Shinn added: “Collectively the circles
have issued 3 grants totaling almost $0,000, not to mention
the countless hours each circle has also spent donating their
time to organizations in the Lakewood Ranch, East Manatee, and
Sarasota County area. This event is inspiring, and it truly makes
me proud to be involved with the Lakewood Ranch Community
Fund Board and to be the husband of the co-founder of the
Cheers for Charity Women’s Giving Circle.”
Peggy Kronus, LWR Community Fund Board Member
and Galentine Event Chair,
said: “The Women’s Giving
Circles provide hope and
support to organizations
in our community that truly
need it. So many people
want to help others within the
community, but they may not
have huge resources to draw
from. The Community Fund
assists donors in nding and
supporting projects utilizing
their combined resources.”
Kronus continued: “Through
the projects and grants of
the Women’s Giving Circles,
everyone can provide support to the community and they can
see where their support goes. Every dollar raised is given back to
the nonprots We are here we are providing we are supporting
and making a difference. Together, our impact is far greater.”
The Lakewood Ranch Community Fund is a fund of the Manatee
Community Foundation. The organizations work together to
partner with caring people to strengthen and enhance the
community through philanthropy, education, and service.
40