Difficult times are made a little easier for seniors in need through the Season of Sharing and Senior Friendship Centers. Stories of people in our community who are being helped by this compassionate philanthropic initiative, see these links to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune:
WIDOW RECEIVES SUPPORT TO CARE FOR GRANDCHILDREN
Darcie Patrzykont hangs stockings from her ceiling and strings lights on her Christmas tree, waiting for her neighbor to drive her to Walmart for a grocery shopping trip. At 56, the Nokomis caretaker and widow is raising three children, has no car... Published December 20, 2011 Read more here. Note: after this story was published, a compassionate donor came forward to donate a much needed car.
CHARITY HELPS WIDOW CARE FOR 3 GRANDCHILDREN
Venice Senior Friendship Center helps pay bills for woman with no job or car Published December 19, 2011 Read more here.
WITH SO MANY ROLES, EVEN A SUPERWOMAN NEEDS HELP
At 66, Lisa Johnson is a veritable superwoman -- the primary guardian of her two grandchildren and a near full-time home health care aide. For the past six years, she has been raising a 14-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy on her own at her North... Published December 14, 2011 Read more here.
GRANDMOTHER, 66, GETS HELP MAKING ENDS MEET
Home health care aide Lisa Johnson is primary guardian for her two grandchildren and gets help from local agencies paying her utility bills. Published December 12, 2011 Read more here.
CARING FOR SICK SON SET DISABLED MOTHER BACK
The Venice Senior Friendship Center helped Lynda Lilley cover her expenses Published December 6, 2011 Read more here.
ABOUT SEASON OF SHARING...
Season of Sharing was founded by the Herald-Tribune Media Group in 2000 to provide emergency assistance to families on the brink of homelessness. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County administers the Season of Sharing fund at no cost, therefore 100 percent of the money collected is distributed to those in need.
Season of Sharing has raised and distributed more than $5.5 million since its inception. Last year alone, Season of Sharing funds helped more than 2,500 individuals and families put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads.
The partnership is enhanced by a collaboration of media partners that have joined together to spread the word, spurred to action by the urgency of the times. Our collaborative partners include The Observer Group, the Bradenton Herald, Sun Newspapers, Sarasota Magazine/Biz941, Clear Channel stations across our region, SNN Local News 6, ABC7, Comcast and Bright House.
The effects of the recession have been profound for far too many families here. The Season of Sharing annual campaigns are aimed to help local families and individuals make it to through these tough times.
You can help.
Join the annual campaign this holiday season. Donations to the Season of Sharing fund may be made by check or credit card. Make checks payable to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, P.O. Box 49587, Sarasota FL 34230-6587.
Contact the foundation at (941) 556-7176. for more information or to request a credit card form. All donations are tax-deductible.
TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN HELP SENIORS IN NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH SENIOR FRIENDSHIP CENTERS, call 941.556.3253, or to give on line, donate here.