COMMUNITY BRIEFS
Kameron Partridge Hodgens, director of community leadership for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, was honored with the Community Hero Award presented by More Too Life Inc. at its recent Inspire Change Anniversary Fundraiser event.
“Kameron Hodgens is a breath of fresh air that embraced me and More Too Life from the first moment I met her,” said Brook Parker Bello, founding CEO of More Too Life. “She listened to my ideas and engaged our entire team with true authenticity. It is said that if you want to go far, do so together. Kameron is the ‘together’ anyone is blessed to have.”
More Too Life’s mission in the fight against human trafficking is to provide opportunities to turn “victims to survivors, survivors to thrivers, and thrivers into champions.” For information, visit moretoolife.org.
“I am honored to receive this award from such an incredible organization working on the prevention of human trafficking,” said Hodgens, former CEO of the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center. “They are relentless in providing help and hope to survivors who need it most.”
Joy Miller, an internationally known psychotherapist, professional trainer, and author of seven books, has joined the board of directors for Sarasota-based Resilient Retreat, which provides free and confidential programs for survivors of abuse, first responders, and helping professionals.
“I am especially pleased for the opportunity to serve on the board,” said Miller, a Certified Master Addictions Counselor who has been featured on “Oprah Winfrey” and other syndicated talk shows. “Americans are feeling anxiety, depression, complicated grief, loss, and overwhelming episodes of fear and disharmony with many reporting feelings of isolation, loneliness, and being emotionally drained from the pandemic. I believe the mission of Resilient Retreat is consistent with my focus on strength-based resiliency training and evidence-based treatment strategies.”
Resilient Retreat, founded in 2018, plans to open a new 84-acre retreat campus on Nov. 3 that will be home to an 18,000-square-foot retreat center and 5,000-square-foot community center at 13010 Fruitville Road, Sarasota. For more information, visit resilientretreat.org or call 941-343-0039.
The Tidewell Foundation has received a $20,000 grant from the Brave of Heart Fund for Tidewell Hospice’s Blue Butterfly grief support program.
A new support group for children and teens age 9-16 starts on Aug. 4 to help youth and their families cope with a loss because of COVID-19. Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly program will lead the group for six Thursdays (5:30-7:30 p.m.) at Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center, 6800 Professional Parkway W., Lakewood Ranch.
All of Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly grief groups are free but enrollment is required. To sign up for the COVID-19 grief group, call 941-893-6610 or visit BlueButterflyCenter.org to learn more.
The League of Women Voters of Manatee County and community sponsors are holding a Back-to-School Block Party on Aug. 6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Full Gospel Church, 4955 15th St. E., Bradenton.
Also on Aug. 6, State College of Florida is hosting its annual Back-To-School Bash at the The Mall at University Town Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will include kids activities, an interactive scavenger hunt, sports mascots, performers, and a large business expo with dozens of businesses offering services for afterschool programs. Sponsors include ReFlex Arts Dance, GTE Financial, America’s Pharmacy, MidFlorida Credit Union, and Cool Today.
The Block Party event includes 1,000 backpacks stuffed with school supplies, Meals on Wheels Plus food bags, and free resources. There also will be a live DJ, free food, and children’s activities. The League also is seeking additional supplies for the backpacks. School supplies donations can be made at lwvmanatee.org. For booths, contact Ruth Harenchar at [email protected].
The North Port Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals is hosting the second annual Back to School Bash today from noon-10 p.m. at City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd. Food trucks, games, live entertainment. A concert will be held at 7 p.m. Proceeds benefit North Port Schools. Info: NPYoungProfessionals.org.
• Temple Beth El, 5150 Peridia Blvd., Sarasota, is holding an open house on Aug. 14 starting at 4 p.m. Activities at Temple Beth El, a Reform congregation, include Shabbat School on Saturday mornings, a men’s club, a Sisterhood, adult education, and more. For information, email [email protected], call 941-755-4900, or visit bethel-fl.org.
• Online advance tickets and parking passes are available for the 12th annual Siesta Key Crystal Classic on Nov. 11-14. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are also available. Visit siestakeycrystalclassic.com; [email protected]; or contract the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce at 941-349-3800. The festival features 24 master sand sculptors competing for top prizes in solo and duo categories.
Compiled from press releases and community submissions
