The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation (LWRCF) continues to host great events and activities as part of our 25th anniversary celebration and March is no exception! So, let’s Open the Door… to all the fun, exciting, and unique features we have in this newsletter and details of what is coming next!

There has been a change in plans for the March event and things are even more exciting! On March 23rd from noon to 4pm we will return to the Sarasota Polo Club Pavilion for an opportunity to replace the January 19th event which was rained out and the match canceled (if you registered for the January 19th event, your ticket is good for this upcoming event). In addition, we will kick off our 25th anniversary celebration! The foundation will honor C. John A. Clarke, founder of this organization, with the Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, Exemplifying Community, and honor and award the LWRCF Junior Humanitarian of the Year. In addition, we will kick off our $250,000 fundraising goal, speak about the bright future of the organization, and introduce our mascot for the celebration who will serve as our PR news reporter. 

May 14th from 5pm to 8pm at Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, we will present Casino Royale Night! Mark your calendars and register now! Watch our website and Facebook page for more details.

In this month’s Board Walk, we spotlight Kelly Gilliland, a board member from the executive committee. Kelly is the board secretary and is chair of the Grants Committee. She is the president of Integrity Mortgage Capital.  She shares why she is involved in the foundation, her role, and why you should be involved. Enjoy reading her spotlight! 

Builders Give Back is one of our signature programs and we greatly appreciate the 10 premier builders, in partnership with Lakewood Ranch Florida, who help support our vision and mission. We will highlight a builder each month this year and this month we feature AR Homes by Arthur Rutenberg. Please read about their developments in our Lakewood Ranch community. 

Our Community Business Partners are vital to the success of the organization and in this edition, we highlight Pineapple Kitchen. Please read and get to know the founder and owner Jenny Schenk and her husband Mike. 

On February 8th we enjoyed participating in the Out-of-Door Academy’s 5K and Food Festival. This event was part of our newly formed partnership with the academy. We had our tent and spin wheel ready to award prizes! Kate Mulligan, executive director and Nyda Bittmann-Neville, board member, engaged with students, parents, and school faculty throughout the event. We look forward to more opportunities to partner with Out-of-Door Academy.  

The second event in February was our first annual golf tournament, Golf with the Foundation. The tourney was hosted by Lennar and played at its newly opened Calusa Country Club. It was a beautiful day and the golfers really enjoyed playing the new course. Check out the details and photos later in the newsletter.

Speaking of the LWRCF Junior Humanitarian, please meet the first winner of this prestigious award, Amy Kwakye-Amoah. Amy was an Out-of-Door Academy student and, after graduating, has continued to pursue her career aspirations and community commitment. Please catch up on her journey since receiving the award. 

Explore the latest blog from our news reporter, the turtle! 

LWRCF’s vision is to use the power of giving to serve our community. The mission of the foundation is to enhance the quality of life in and near our community by responding to local needs, granting funds, and building lasting relationships. We cannot do our work without you. There are many ways for you to be involved—serve as a volunteer, become a Friend of the Foundation, serve on a committee, or become a Community Business Partner. Support the foundation so we can support the community’s deserving nonprofit organizations! They do so much – please support them.

Let’s Open the Door… and welcome the new opportunities for the foundation! 

Mark Clark

Chair of the Board

Let’s Open the Door…

CALENDAR

Events will be posted on our website as they become available. 

25TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION KICK OFF AND POLO WITH THE PROS

As mentioned earlier, there has been a change for the March event and we are even more excited to bring you not only Polo with the Pros but the kick off of the 25th anniversary celebration of the foundation! The date is Sunday, March 23rd from noon to 4pm at the Sarasota Polo Club Pavilion. Our sponsors for the event are Northern Trust and Williams Parker-Waterside, two of our Community Business Partners. 

For your $75 ticket, you will enjoy a champagne toast, and a wonderfully delicious lunch prepared and served by Pineapple Kitchen, one of our Community Business Partners. And lunch will be available until the end so you can nibble throughout the afternoon! 

Shortly after noon we will present the 25th anniversary celebration kick off with a brief history, where the organization is today, and a glimpse into the future. We will honor the dedication to our community of C. John A. Clarke with the Inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, Exemplifying Community.



LWRCF Board Chair Mark Clark with C. John A. Clarke and his wife Lorna.

We will then present the Junior Humanitarian of the Year, Cecile Visa. We will also recognize two honorees, Danica Kovacevic and Kaitlyn Roman – all three are with Out-of-Door Academy. Next will be the kick off of the 25th anniversary and announcement of our goal for 2025 of $250,000 and introduction of the celebration’s mascot, serving as the PR news reporter.  

At noon the game begins and oh my, the fun you will enjoy! We will have professional polo players on hand to tell you play by play of what is happening on the field. You can also get the feel for the mallets. Is that not fun or what??? Half time activities are enjoyable and then after the game is finished, the players will join everyone to mix and mingle and even sign balls! 

Please register soon as tickets are selling fast and you do not want to miss this opportunity!

CASINO ROYALE NIGHT WITH THE FOUNDATION

The theme is James Bond inspired and combines casino games with luxury and entertainment! Blackjack, poker, and roulette will be awaiting you, so get the tux ready to rock, the sexy little dress out of the closet, and get ready to party! There will be hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, live music, raffles, and auctions! 

Register now as space is limited. Should you wish to help sponsor the event, please call 941-208-6799.

THE BOARD WALK

The Board Walk showcases a board member each month. They will share with you why they are involved with the foundation, their role, and what they would like to ask of you to help us achieve our vision and mission. This month we feature secretary Kelly Gilliland. Enjoy reading her story and getting to know Kelly.

Besides currently serving as secretary and on the executive committee, I also chair the Grants Committee, which I find to be the most rewarding since it is the heart and purpose of the foundation. It is very meaningful to be involved with reviewing and vetting the grant applications and understanding on a deeper level how our grants truly impact our community. There are so many in need from serving those in foster care and children with special needs, helping to feed families and seniors, grief counseling camps for children, helping cancer patients, and those with epilepsy and blindness.   

Another highlight is that we are nimble enough to react quickly to the needs of the community. Examples include the emergency grants cycle that we quickly put into place during COVID, and our ability to allocate funds and provide hurricane relief grants to several non-profits who had hurricane damage as well as to non-profits who supported low-income families with major hurricane damage.

If you have an interest in helping support such amazing non-profits, please consider getting involved with one of our committees, become a Friend of the Foundation by providing a monthly or one-time donation, or become a Community Business Partner. By helping us, you help Open the Door… for so many others in need.

BUILDERS GIVE BACK

Each month this year we will feature a builder in our signature program, Builders Give Back. We are proud to have AR Homes® Sarasota (Nelson Homes, Inc.) as one of the program builders. Please review the article and beautiful photographs of model homes in our community. Contact them to learn more!

Exceptional Craftsmanship, Trusted in Lakewood Ranch

At AR Homes® Sarasota (Nelson Homes, Inc.), our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted name in Lakewood Ranch and the greater Sarasota area. Our team of highly skilled construction managers, sales consultants, and designers bring years of expertise to every home we build, ensuring each residence is a true reflection of superior craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

We take immense pride in being an integral part of the Lakewood Ranch community, where we’ve helped countless homeowners bring their dream homes to life. Our dedication to exceptional service has earned us a reputation for excellence, with construction managers and sales consultants consistently recognized across the AR Homes® network as top performers based on customer ratings. From the first consultation to the final walkthrough, we guide homeowners through a seamless, personalized building experience—ensuring their vision is realized with precision and care.

Explore Our Stunning Model Homes

Experience our dedication to luxury homebuilding firsthand at Wild Blue at Lakewood Ranch, where our two stunning model homes—the Taura and Atwater—showcase cutting-edge design, modern functionality, and high-end amenities. Whether you're looking for inspiration or ready to embark on your custom home journey, our models offer a firsthand look at the meticulous attention to detail that sets AR Homes® Sarasota (Nelson Homes, Inc.) apart.

Your Dream Home Starts Here

As a proud member of the Lakewood Ranch community, we’re honored to build homes that blend luxury with comfort, creating spaces where families make lifelong memories. Schedule a tour today and experience why so many homeowners trust AR Homes® Sarasota (Nelson Homes, Inc.) for their custom home needs.

Model Home Locations: 1206 Blue Shell Loop Sarasota FL, 34240 / 1210 Blue Shell Loop Sarasota FL, 34240.

Hours: 10AM – 5PM

Contact Us: 941-907-1230

Learn More: arhomes.com/nelson-homes

COMMUNITY BUSINESS PARTNER: PINEAPPLE KITCHEN

Mike and Jenny Schenk created Pineapple Kitchen in Lakewood Ranch six years ago. Since that time, they've educated many of the communities’ children and adults in basic culinary skills as well as entertained guests with their award-winning interactive mystery dinner shows, blending Mike’s theater experience and Jenny’s writing talent. Add in their delicious all-natural line of products, and you have a recipe that is sure to please everyone.

The Schenks have both been career food industry professionals with a goal to create their own branded product line. Shortly after moving to Lakewood Ranch, the couple leased space on Lena Road to start a manufacturing operation that produced a unique snack line, the Pineapple Kitchen Pretzel Bite & Dip Kit. By the end of 2020, the products were sold in stores all over the country. Soon after, they expanded their business to include a more extensive product line, catering company, mystery entertainment company, and various culinary educational programs for adults and children. With the symbol of the pineapple representing hospitality, the Schenks are passionate about creating “easy entertaining” ideas that help their guests enjoy every aspect of preparing and serving memorable appetizers and meals. 

A big part of the Pineapple Kitchen’s mission is supporting their community such as local schools and nonprofits, Sisterhood for Good, and the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation. Pineapple Kitchen has been honored by SRQ Magazine's Best of SRQ, Sarasota Herald-Tribune's Best of Live Theater, and by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce as "Best Small Business of the Year 2022."

The Schenks have lived in Lakewood Ranch for over eight years. They enjoy working together with the same goal in mind: to make Lakewood Ranch and other communities more hospitable, one bite at a time. As their tag line states, “Hospitality never tasted so good!”

OUT-OF-DOOR ACADEMY 5K AND FOOD FESTIVAL RECAP

Kate Mulligan, executive director and Nyda Bittmann-Neville, board member, managing their partner table at the 5K and food festival hosted by Out-of-Door Academy on February 8.

GOLF WITH THE FOUNDATION RECAP

What an incredible day it was! The First Annual Golf with the Foundation was held Monday, February 10, hosted by Lennar on its brand-new Calusa Country Club course. Additional sponsors included three of our Community Business Partners: Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home, The Wellness Way, and Doren Jewelers. The weather was gorgeous with blue skies, not a cloud, sunny, mild, and just enough of a breeze to cool you off as you were riding in the cart. 

The day began very early to arrive at the Calusa Country Club course with all the “stuff,” stopped at Publix to pick up balloons and ice. The tent was filled with tables and chairs which had to be cleaned off and covered with tablecloths. Then breakfast arrived which was catered by Lennar as was lunch. All the golf carts were lined up awaiting the golfers to arrive by 8am. Just in case the golfers wanted to warm up, the driving range was open at 7:30am. 

The balloons that were mentioned were in honor of LWRCF’s board chair, Mark Clark, who was celebrating a birthday, so the balloons were tied to the four corners of the cart. You can see them in a photo above.

The golf pro asked the golfers to get into the carts, listen to some important announcements and directions, and off they went! Several board members sprang into action and filled the ice cooler with adult beverages and snacks, and away Kelly Gilliland and Nyda Bittmann-Neville went to enhance the golfers play – ha! 

One of our Community Business Partners, Doren Jewelers, provided a $20K gift certificate for a Rolex watch for a hole in one. Having that grand opportunity also required one of the board members, Lisa Lawler, to stay at the green to watch for the potential hole in one. We did not give the gift certificate to any golfer, but maybe next year!

The silent auction items were bid on by the attendees and two folks left with great wine baskets and wine and a golfer/author’s book! 

Here are the results of the game:

Men’s Longest Drive—Nick Irle

Women’s Longest Drive—Lori Ruth

Closest to the Pin—Mark Komacski

Long Drive Fundraise Donation—Ian Black Real Estate

1st Place Team with a score of 56: Connor Wolfe, Ryan Davis, Jim Dimeo, Michael Demarski (Dustin)

2nd Place Team with a score of 58: Chris Fehr, Billy Bender, David Walters

3rd Place Team with a score of 59: Ken Stoldt, Tyler Stoldt, Brian Stoldt, Rich Petschke

Again, thanks to everyone who helped make this a great tourney and success for the foundation! Please plan to join the second annual Golf with the Foundation at the beautiful Calusa Country Club in 2026! 

AMY KWAKYE-AMOAHA, 2023 JUNIOR HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNER

For example, last semester, I took a freshman seminar where we contributed to the sustainable composting research at Princeton Lab by collecting samples and presenting our findings at the end of the term. Additionally, for my language requirement, I have been learning Twi, a language native to my family’s country of Ghana. These academic opportunities have broadened my perspective and leave me excited for what’s to come.

Beyond academics, I am deeply grateful to be involved in various clubs and organizations on campus. I am a member of Entrepreneurship Club-Output (a social entrepreneurship sub-team); Princeton Partners in Health Engage; Princeton Community Health Connections; Christian Union Nova; AST Tutoring; and Sankofa, an African fashion show, among others. Through these groups, I have met incredible people from diverse backgrounds and I am constantly learning from their wisdom and experiences. Whether it's late-night study sessions or spontaneous trips to New York City, I am fortunate to have built strong friendships here at Princeton.

This summer, I am excited to intern with New Hope Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing affordable housing and support services in Houston, Texas. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the nonprofit sector. Thank you so much to the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation!

THE TURTLE REPORT

One of the things I have asked of the foundation is to name me. I would really like to have a name rather than simply referring to me as the “turtle.” The foundation has agreed to my request and will hold a naming contest for me. They have developed an easy contest and here are the details: 

1. Go to the website www.LWRCF.org and click on any of the “donate” buttons. 

2. On that page, complete the form and then you can pay the $25 for each name entered.

3. Fill out the form with your contact information and enter a name for me. 

4. Complete the contest form with your donation.

And that is it! By the way, you can enter more than once! The foundation’s board of directors have told me that at the end of the contest, they will select the top names and then narrow those down to the selected name. The naming winner will receive a $125 gift card and a stuffed turtle just like me! I will be thrilled to have a name and look forward to sharing it with all of you!  

I was asked to end every blog with the tagline of Open the Door… so let’s do it!

Let's Open the Door... and welcome the new opportunities for LWRCF!

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The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation appreciates the support from our Community Business Partners. If you are interested in joining this program, please contact Info@LWRCF.org or call (941) 208-5799.