SARASOTA, Fla. – The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, a not-for-profit trade organization, recently hosted its holiday-themed social and collected 159 toys from its members to benefit children at the Sarasota YMCA Safe Children Coalition.
On Thursday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m., the event featured a psychic Santa, festive attire, appetizers and desserts. Members were asked to bring unwrapped gifts to fulfill the wish lists of the nonprofit’s foster children. The organization’s membership also contributed $350 in gift cards and nearly $250 in cash for the Sarasota YMCA Safe Children Coalition.
“The Safe Children Coalition serves approximately 1,500 children, and with the assistance of the Foster Angel Program, we are able to ensure any child whose family needs assistance receives the help,” said Andrea Mertyris, director of quality assurance at the Sarasota YMCA’s Safe Children Coalition. “With the support of the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange’s toy and gift card donation, the Sarasota YMCA’s Safe Children Coalition is able to ensure children who do not receive a sponsored wish list still get to wake up and have something under the tree to open.”
Under the leadership of the Sarasota YMCA, the Safe Children Coalition is collaboration between the YMCA and local community entities that together provide a continuum of child welfare services for dependent children who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. Child protection services provided include case management, foster care, independent living and adoptions.
About the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange
The Gulf Coast Builders Exchange was established in 1952 and is a not-for-profit corporation operating as a trade organization under the guidance of a volunteer board of directors as representatives of the industry. The not-for-profit organization represents a broad cross section of the building industry, including contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and others from affiliated industries.
The GCBX membership is comprised of close to 400 companies in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. It includes some of the most respected contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, service providers and businesses in construction‑affiliated industries. GCBX’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the building industry are conducted in Manatee, Sarasota and Charlotte counties. For more information, visit www.GCBX.org.