MEDIA CONTACT:
Muffy Lavens
248-909-2793
media@cwcfpra.com
SARASOTA, FL – October 21 – In the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton – especially as several of its members suffered from significant impacts from the storm – the Central West Coast chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA) paused its professional events to focus on outreach and support for those affected by the natural disasters.
On October 15, the chapter hosted a fundraiser at Pie on Main with Watershed Hospitality Concepts in support of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Season of Sharing campaign to help our community regain stability from the two devastating hurricanes. The collaboration raised $5,000 from in-person attendees and statewide support from the Florida Public Relations Association. Longtime CWC board member and sponsor, Joe Curley, generously offered to match donations made during the evening.
“It’s within these most challenging times that communities reveal their true characters – and I can say without doubt that ours has courageously rose to the occasion,” said Hunter Carpenter, President of CWC-FPRA. “I want to give special thanks to Pie on Main for hosting, the Community Foundation for collaborating, and Joe Curley for inspiring further giving. As these recent storms have reminded us, these are the people, the spirit, that makes our central west coast of Florida the community that it is.”
“It’s a true pleasure to link arms with the Central West Coast Chapter of FPRA and the Community Foundation to honor and tend to the need, which is great,” shared Anne Rollings, Executive Director, Communications/Business Development at Watershed Hospitality Concepts. “Restaurants such as Pie On Main have kept the light on for communities needing comfort and gathering places, in good times and, as we demonstrated on Tuesday, in times of extraordinary need. Especially meaningful is knowing that, though we could not have known it when we planned this event, the people we might help the most are our very own.”
“When people come together to help one another, we are better for it – both in the moment and for a long time to come,” said Mischa Kirby, APR, Vice President, Strategy & Communications for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. “The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is a group of caring professionals who exemplify the true character of our community and their support of Season of Sharing is greatly appreciated.”
Donations to Season of Sharing can be made online at cfsarasota.org/donors/support-our-community#donate or by sending a check (payable to Community Foundation of Sarasota County) to Attn: Season of Sharing, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. All donations are tax-deductible.”
For more information on CWC-FPRA, visit cwcfpra.com.
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Photo Credit:
Hurricane_Recovery_1: Members of CWC-FPRA, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and Watershed Hospitality Concepts at Pie on Main.
Hurricane_Recovery_2: Colleen Thayer, Jennifer Hemmerdinger, and Laura Ansel, APR accepting donations.
Photo Credit: Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association
About The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (CWC-FPRA)
The Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association is a network of public relations, marketing and communications professionals from Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties who come together for professional development and to build a network of peers. As an active part of the oldest statewide public relations organization in our country, CWC-FPRA takes pride in its 55-plus year history of presenting stimulating programs and advancing the professional growth of its members. The Florida Public Relations Association is dedicated to developing public relations practitioners who, through ethical and standardized practices, enhance the public relations profession in Florida. For more about CWC-FPRA, visit cwcfpra.com.