Michael Saunders Foundation Awards $15,000 In Grants

1. Congratulations to 14 area organizations that received grants from the Michael Saunders Foundation.

The private not-for-profit 501(c) (3) foundation is the charitable arm of

Drayton A. Saunders, the firm’s president, awarded 14 grants totaling $15,000 to the following community non-profits:  Women’s Sertoma Club of Venice, Community Coalition on Homelessness (Manatee County), Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, Senior Friendship Centers, The Children’s Healthy Pantry, Southeastern Guide Dogs, Temple Emanu-El Pre-School, Family Partnership Center, Girls Inc. of Sarasota County, Salvation Army VIPER Program, Conductive Education Center of Sarasota-Bradenton, Community Youth Development and Sarasota Council of Concern.

“This is an especially gratifying occasion because not only is every cent earmarked for worthy causes within our community, but also wouldn’t be possible without the generous and enthusiastic participation of our agents and staff members,” Saunders said before awarding the grants. “An ever-growing number of our agents are choosing to replace traditional thank-you gifts for their buyers and sellers with a donation in their client’s name to the foundation’s charitable endeavors. Non-selling staff members contribute through voluntary payroll deductions in amounts of their own choosing.”  

2. As part of the , First Lady Michelle Obama is encouraging kids to take part in sports that day for her Let's Move campaign. You can find participating communities on MeetUp.com. Sarasota still needs some folks to organize one, according to the site, while Tampa, St. Petersburg and other nearby towns are on their way to the Fun Day.

3. This week, you can win $100 from Patch to help pay for that car repair you've put off. and share your best tips for avoiding big auto repair bills or saving up for them. Post your best advice in the comments section on that story to be eligible for the drawing.

4. Congratulations to Cliff Walters of the law firm of Blalock Walters, P.A., who has been elected the 2012 Chair of the Board of Directors of Foundation, Inc.  “To lead this organization in the coming year is an incredible honor and responsibility.” said Cliff Walters.

5. And congratulations to Ringling's neighbors, the   for being named Biz(941) magazine’s “Best Place to Further Your Education” from the magazine's Readers’ Best of Biz contest. USFSM was featured in the July issue of Biz(941) and received the award at the Best of Biz reception on July 19.

“We are delighted to be honored by the readers of Biz(941),” said Dr. Arthur Guilford, Regional Chancellor of USFSM. “We are also pleased to no longer be the best kept secret in the region. We are your home town comprehensive university!”