We Believe

I was asked by the Sarasota Community Foundation to write a blog explaining how our Flash Mob came together and what the end result was. Below is the Blog I wrote...

Five, six, seven, eight!

For a month, every Wednesday and Friday evening a group of Take Stock in Children supporters would secretly come together to practice for our first Flash Mob. This world phenomenon known as a Flash Mob is a group of people who suddenly assemble in a public place and perform a song/dance to spread awareness…Or just for entertainment.

Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County has been around for 15 years and has held the unfortunate title of, “Best Kept Secret” for entirely too long. I decided we needed to share with the community what TSIC was all about. Putting together the Flash Mob was a BLAST! I’ve seen numerous Flash Mobs in person and on YouTube. The idea for Take Stock to produce one all started when I heard the song, “I Believe” by Yolanda Adams. The lyrics were so profound and spoke to exactly what TSIC stands for.

We then needed a venue, somewhere that would already have an event going on with a large crowd. The Van Wezel Friday Fest seemed like a perfect fit and they accepted the concept with arms wide open!

We partnered with Wilson’s Dance Sport to get their help with chorography and utilize their ballroom. I sent out a mass email to all TSIC supporters to start some buzz about a Flash Mob. No one was able to know any details until they came to practice. Everyone involved was extremely dedicated, up-beat and always wanting to practice.

The day of, the blistering sun was out despite the fear of rain clouds and it was show time. As a crowd of approximately 1,000 sat around listening to the band we were organizing ourselves for the performance.

As soon as the music started we were pumped! Our Flash Mob started with one person and then slowly built to the entire group dancing together. Everyone had a great time and cameras were up and rolling!  The MC for the night, Cliff Roles, rushed on stage and I joined him for an interview about what had just happened! He was so taken back and missed the beginning that he wanted an encore. We all laughed and eagerly did it again. J We had three immediate videos uploaded to YouTube and word flew on Facebook that a Flash Mob had just been performed at Friday Fest.  We also handed out towels right after the performance that had our website link to offer further brand awareness.

We have more than 1,000 hits with the three videos on YouTube. The Flash Mob has reached not only the local Sarasota community, but the attention of Take Stock’s CEO and was mentioned in a statewide newsletter. We’ve also recently been asked to perform the dance again for another event!

Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County wanted to be known as the non-profit that is FUN and really believes in our youth. We believe, do you?

By: Dana Bakich, Director of Marketing and Development

dana@takestocksarasota.org

941-893-7690



BIG Steps Forward

Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County has been a "Best Kept Secret" in Sarasota for entirely too long.

Did you know that we've been around for 15 years?! Yeah, I didn't either. I was a student at Booker High School and would see students meeting with adults during lunches on a regular basis. I thought, "Hmmm...maybe their a Family member? Friend?" Negative. Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County was mentoring friends of mine throughout the years and I had no idea. How could this great program have minimum publicity in the community?

We have so many exciting fall events approaching and I'd love to start a PR Committee. If you know someone who's bubbly, always surrounding him/her self with lots of friends, and likes having fun let me know. :)

I'd like to have our first meeting start in September. If you're interested, please contact me at dana@takestocksarasota.org or 941-893-7690.

Mentioned in the Message from the TSIC President

Check out our weekly update from the new President of Take Stock in Children. Sarasota County is mentioned in the third paragraph! 

President's Weekly Update

TSIC Flash Mob!

This was an amazing experience for Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County. For about a month, 30 TSIC supporters have been practicing in secrecy at Wilson's Dancesport.

The Flash Mob was a huge success when it debuted on Friday, August 12 at the Van Wezel Friday Fest.

With all the rave reviews, we will be planning another one soon!

On Their Way to Success

We are more than excited to welcome 28 new TSIC students into our program!

Please join us in congratulating the following inductees: James Adams, Vanessa Alexis, Courtavia Allen, Taylor Ballam, Kasi Beauchamp, Autumn Byrd, Christopher Chavez, Kateria Chestnut, Dominick Gomez, Mason Gordon, Tionna Hart, Jordan Hoar, Hassan Hogan, Matthew Hostetler-Eilken, Denzel Hurley, Shania Johnson –Turner, Kayla Jones, Danielle Kendrick, Patricia Lavender, Le’Asia McNeal, Daquontez Mitchell, Alyxzander Reckahn, Jasmine Robinson, Daniela Romero, Jeremy Trebbles, Kaitlin West, Brianna Wheeler, and Ryan Wik.

Schools represented are: Brookside Middle, Emma E. Booker Elementary, Booker Middle, Laurel Nokomis, Heron Creek Middle, McIntosh Middle, Imagine School – Palmer Ranch & Northport, Sarasota Middle, Suncoast Innovative Studies, Pineview, and Venice Area Middle School.

We can't wait to see what these children can accomplish.

A Little TSIC Artwork