SARASOTA, FL — Children First, Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services, has been named a finalist in the annual WEDU Be More Awards for nonprofit organizations. Children First is recognized for its Raise Your Hand Campaign in the “Be More Informed” Nielsen Marketing Campaign Award. This award acknowledges organizations’ creative and results-driven marketing campaigns using multimedia platforms.
The Raise Your Hand Campaign, which officially launched in April 2016, is a $3.8 million initiative to expand services for at-risk children and their families in Sarasota County. The campaign’s four goals are: to enhance services for families with emotional and behavioral health needs, to intensify the role of family advocates who offer guidance and support to families served by Children First, to offer increased individualized attention for students in the classrooms, and to serve more children and families in need. Campaign Ambassadors were featured across media channels, explaining why they support Children First. The campaign has been successful in generating significant contributions, new donors, and volunteers, but more support is still needed to reach the final goal. Additional donations are welcome.
“It is such an honor to be named a finalist in the Be More Awards,” said Philip Tavill, President and CEO of Children First. “The Raise Your Hand campaign has been unique in so many ways, and we are incredibly grateful to our campaign ambassadors and all those who supported this initiative for the vulnerable children and families we serve.”
According to WEDU, the Be More Awards are an effort to celebrate the human spirit and showcase the best work by nonprofit organizations throughout 16 counties in West Florida. Winners will be announced at the 12th annual luncheon and ceremony on Thursday, February 23 in Tampa.
About Children First
Founded in 1961 and designated as one of the top 10 Head Start programs in the country, out of 1,800 similar programs nationwide, Children First strengthens children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health and well-being. At 13 sites throughout Sarasota County, Children First offers full-day preschool, infant and toddler care, as well as nutrition and health care assistance, to children ages birth to five years old from low-income families. Through Children First, the children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten and elementary school on track.