Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Greetings. I hope this finds everyone in a continued Happy New Year mode!

As a member of the VYCCF, I will be writing the Currents column, so you may learn more about the numerous charities for which we provide financial support. Each of us acts as an ambassador to one or more of these organizations. I will share some highlights on one selected group each month.

I will begin with Children First, a private, non-profit organization that serves over 600 of Sarasota County's most vulnerable children, birth to five years and their families. Children First's mission is “strengthening children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health and well-being.” It is the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start in Sarasota County. By following strict guidelines to ensure program quality and fiscal responsibility, Children First has been designated as one of nine Programs of Excellence, out of 1,800 agencies nationwide.

Services are provided at 13 sites throughout Sarasota County, two of which are located in Venice. Fifty percent of these children’s weekly nutrition is provided by Children First, equating to 170,000 breakfasts, lunches and snacks served in 2017. Ninety-five percent of the families served live below the federal poverty level of $20,780 for a family of three. Of those, 73% are single-parent households, mostly single mothers; 9% are homeless.

On the positive side: 72% of the parents are working or attending school. In 2017, Children First had 253 volunteers who provided 11,368 hours of service. We are so fortunate to have these productive programs to ensure success for our future generations by putting children first.

Thank you to P/C Merle Graser for being our long-time ambassador to CF! Our utmost gratitude to all of you who support VYCCF.

With sincere appreciation, Noni Lavelle

VYCCF Committee: Chair Michael Nemser, Vice Chair & Secretary Joan & Bill Bowen, Treasurer John O'Donnell, Kevin Collins, P/C Merle Graser, P/C Dick & Doris Guba, Don & Babs Healy, Sylvia Hollister, Barbara Isaacson, Bill & Jennifer Kessler, Noni Lavelle, Warren Major, P/C Gus Olson, Beth Piel, Bob Scholten, Dave Slaman, Ann Van Cott, and Bill Walker

updated: February 2019 Currents