The
MSC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of
Michael Saunders and Company, held its mid-year grant giving ceremony on Thursday, July 17
th at the company’s
Lakewood Ranch location. During a period of giving from January to June 2014,
MSC agents and staff raised a total of $34,250 which was distributed among 33 local nonprofit organizations. To help provide a glimpse into how deep these efforts reach, we have compiled some images and moments from Thursday’s ceremony (all images by
InstudioEPhoto):
“Since 2011, we’ve been able to give over $135,000 to 68 fabulous organizations. This is really a team effort. It is the associates looking at our mission - to improve the lives in the communities we serve by providing funds to the organizations that offer shelter, sustenance, education, and a path to self-sufficiency. And that’s a brief way of saying very little about all the things you do.” -
Drayton Saunders, President of
Michael Saunders & Company and the MSC Foundation
“It is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. I get all the expressions of thank you and I get to hear all the individual stories and how we are helping them.” -
Angela Adams, Michael Saunders & Company, Executive Assistant to Drayton Saunders, President
“The Foundation makes us feel wonderful about representing our community.” - Ellen Baker, Michael Saunders & Company, Englewood office
“We are the Venice contingency.” -
Laura Bennawy, Sherrey Welch, Jackie Kennedy , Michael Saunders & Company Venice office
, Helene Johnston, Michael Saunders & Company Longboat Key South office;
“The Sun Fiesta Idol is a talent competition that provides $1,000 in scholarship to students. This year it is October 17, 18, 19 in downtown Venice. Drayton has even been our parade official in the past.” -
Jackie Kennedy with
Woman’s Sertoma Club of Venice, Inc. (Above photo, 2nd from from right)
“48% of our girls need financial assistance and this grant will go towards scholarships. Girls, Inc. is not just an after school care program, we are part of the solution to develop a child – ensuring that they succeed in life.” -
Robin Rose, Executive Director of
Girls Inc. of Sarasota County 
“We are renovating a waiting area for children. It gives moms the time they need, and it’s important for the children to have something to do, as well as a place to relax and be comfortable." -
Barbara Lewis, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, Inc.
“We have an 80% success rate of getting children back in housing in 90 days.” -
Wendy Fitton, Director of
Family Promise of Sarasota, Inc. with
Kim Eskew, Michael Saunders & Company, Main Street office
“We are transforming the lives of those who have been held captive. This Foundation grant will fund our Through Their Eyes program." -
Dr. Brook Bello, Founder of
More Too Life (center), Derek Thompson and Drayton Saunders
“Even for the blind, we are able to provide a digitized baseball that beeps. They can hear it and hit it, and then they run with a buddy around the field.” -
Bob Mitchell, President of
The Miracle League if Manasota,
Brad Jones Board Member,
Sherwin Taradash, Michael Saunders & Company Lankewood Ranch office
“We are so grateful to receive this grant. It will be put towards our residential program.” -
Brynn Rangel,
Selah Freedom 
“We stock our shelves over the summer. It’s a constant need.” -
Kristina Rupp,
Feeding Empty Little Tummies (FELT)
“This grant will assist families who need help to pay for afterschool care.” -
Rebecca Nichols,
The Island School, Inc., Boca Grande A list of all of the organizations that received grants at the July 17 event includes:
- Family Promise of Sarasota Inc.
- More Too Life
- Foundation for Dreams, Inc
- The Island School, Inc
- Feeding Empty Little Tummies (FELT)
- Florida Studio Theatre
- Jewish Family & Children's Services of the Suncoast, Inc
- Habitat for Humanity Sarasota. Inc.
- Girls Incorporated of Sarasota County
- Crossroads AMI Kids
- Yummy Stuff Club, Inc.
- Southeastern Guide Dogs
- Miracle League Manasota
- Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Sun Coast
- Community Haven
- Venice Nokomis United Methodist Child Care Center
- Turning Points Community Coalition on Homelessness
- Mothers Helping Mothers, Inc.
- Women's Sertoma Club of Venice, Inc
- Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, Inc.
- Teen Court of Sarasota, Inc.
- Manatee County Habitat for Humanity
- The Florida Center for Early Childhood
- Selah Freedom, Inc.
- Family Partnership Center
- Boys and Girls Club of Sarasota County
- ALSO Youth, Inc.
- Englewood Helping Hand, Inc.
- Englewood Meals on Wheels, Inc
- Englewood Incubation Center, Inc
- Sertoma Club of Bradenton
- HOPE Family Services, Inc.
- Just for Girls Academy
For more information about the
MSC Foundation, visit the
Foundation webpage. If you would like to learn more about the process of receiving a charitable grant, all requests must come through MSC agents or staff. Please reach out to your
local Michael Saunders and Company office to see how they can help. To see more photos, visit the
Michael Saunders & Company Facebook album (and give us a LIKE while you are there!)
