READY, SET, GO!

Are you a runner, walker or just like to get up and be active? 

Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County will be one of many programs across the state to present its inaugural “Strides For Education” 5K Walk/Run at 8 a.m. on Saturday, November 19 at State College of Florida Venice Campus as part of a statewide effort to raise college funds for Florida’s low-income and at-risk youth. Take Stock in Children’s “Strides For Education” 5K Walk/Runs will also take place simultaneously in Brevard, Broward, Collier, Escambia, Hendry, Immokalee, Lake, Lee, Miami-Dade, Nassau, Palm Beach, Pinellas, and Sumter counties.

“Take Stock in Children’s ‘Strides For Education’ 5K is the perfect way to involve the local community in our efforts and help raise funding for our scholars who desire to earn a postsecondary education,” says Lisa Bechtold, Executive Director at Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County. “Our goal is to continue growing our program each year so that we may support even more students along the path to success.”

Take Stock in Children’s “Strides For Education” 5K Walk/Run is open to all individuals, families, companies and local organizations, and will feature family-friendly activities, giveaways, and much more. Registration is $35 for adults and $10 for students, with all proceeds to benefit Take Stock in Children.

To learn how you can support Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County’s “Strides For Education” 5K Walk/Run as a participant, volunteer or sponsor, please call 941-358-4407 or visit give.takestockinchildren.org and click Sarasota County.

Without A Doubt

Mentors are the heart and soul of TSIC. Mentors help to mold each individual child's life to help them become successful young adults.

Here is one outstanding mentor story:

"I am beginning my fourth year as a mentor to a student who attends Pine View. We started together when she was 12 and in 8th grade, and now she is almost 16 and a high school junior. At first she was shy with me, but as time has gone on, we have become very good friends. My student has a supportive family network, so I act as an additional adult friend. 

We talk about her social activities, her school work, her family, her goals for the future, and just about any topic she wants to discuss. Usually we meet for 45 minutes every week. The experience is something I thoroughly enjoy, and I am having a real thrill watching this young woman grow up right before my eyes. We will be starting the college process this year and into 12th grade, and I hope to be able to help her with that, since I recently helped my own two children to choose colleges. With the scholarship that TSIC will provide my student, her future looks exceptionally bright."

Sally Gabriel, PhD, CN
Health Educator

9/11 We Will Never Forget

The Sarasota Community remembers President George W. Bush reading to Emma Booker Elementary students that horrific morning of 9/11/01. This will always be a day to remember and honor those to gave their lives for America. 

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “
- President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

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!