SARASOTA, Fla. (Jan. 18, 2017) – Fueled by an outpouring of community generosity, Season of Sharing has raised more than $1 million to help families and individuals on the verge of homelessness. Thanks in part to the giving spirit of the season, the campaign received a surge of support from community donors during the holidays. This latest milestone sparked a second $100,000 contribution from The Patterson Foundation.
During Season of Sharing, The Patterson Foundation will give $100,000 each time the community raises $500,000 – there is no cap on the total contribution. So far, the Foundation has contributed $200,000 to the 2016-2017 campaign.
“Season of Sharing gives everyone in our community the power to help someone remain secure in their home,” said Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of The Patterson Foundation. “The Patterson Foundation is honored to strengthen giving during Season of Sharing as others add their gifts to help even more local families on the verge of homelessness.”
Each $100,000 incentive contributed during Season of Sharing will help at least 100 additional families in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties maintain stable housing by providing targeted financial assistance for vital needs like rent, utilities, car repair and other emergency expenses. The annual campaign, created by the Herald-Tribune Media Group in partnership with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, gives 100 percent of all donations directly to those in need. Each year, staff of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Herald-Tribune Media Group and more than 50 nonprofit organizations donate hundreds of hours for project management, administration and creative planning to allow Season of Sharing to serve the community without any operating expenses.
Since 2000, Season of Sharing has provided more than $15 million in emergency funding for more than 16,000 families and individuals in the region. Of those who receive Season of Sharing funds, 85 percent achieve stability and do not require additional assistance the following year.
Please visit www.CFSarasota.org to donate and learn more about the campaign. Follow Season of Sharing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SeasonofSharingCampaign and Twitter using @SeasonOfSharing. Join the conversation on social media using #SeasonOfSharing.
About The Patterson Foundation
The Patterson Foundation strengthens the efforts of people, organizations and communities. The Foundation focuses on issues that address common aspirations and foster wide participation, along with ways organizations learn and share as they evolve. For more information, please visit www.thepattersonfoundation.org and connect with
@ThePattersonFdn on Twitter.
###