As the season winds down

The past few months have flown by here at the Van Wezel Foundation.

February 15th was our Gala featuring Sheryl Crow. All of the proceeds- over 150k- went to our mission to enriching lives, with an emphasis on children, through the performing arts. It was an unforgettable evening with a fabulous silent and live auction, great company, and great entertainment. A wonderful time was had by all! 

We would like to thank our sponsors, donors, guests, patrons, and everyone who supported us!

Next, of course, was the Les Miz Opening Night Party. The production made its debut at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, and we invited our closest friends and donors to join us for an evening to celebrate the wonderful performance. 

Lastly, the Van Wezel Foundation was involved with the 36 Hour Giving Challenge. We came out very successful, and we ended up with over $40,000 in matched and unmatched dollars from donors! All of these funds will directly support the children and help to support the Van Wezel's Schooltime Performances.

 Click HERE for more photos

See you soon at the Van Wezel!

Many Events Ahead!

It is a busy time at the Van Wezel Foundation right now! We have a lot on our plate and we would like to share that with you!

First, our 12th Annual Gala featuring Sheryl Crow is coming up in just two weeks! The Gala will take place on Friday, February 15th, 2013 at 5:00 pm.  How did that sneak up on us so fast?! 

Our Gala is SOLD OUT!

We are rarin' to go and excited for this amazing and exclusive event! All money raised will go to the Van Wezel Foundation's mission to the kids- and the Schooltime Performances. Our goal is to exceed what we did last year- which was sending 25,000 children to the theatre- at little or no cost to the children's families or schools!

Second, we have our Opening Night Party for Les Misérables! This event will take place on the opening night of the performance, Tuesday, March 5th, at 5:30 pm. Tickets are $75 each (price is separate to the show ticket price) and will be catered by Mattison's. Expect French wine, French Hor D'oeuvres, and French entertainment! We are expecting a great turnout, and it will be an unforgettable evening!

Lastly, the Van Wezel Foundation is excited for its involvement with the Giving Partner's 36 Hour Giving Challenge! This event takes place on March 5th through 7th. This is a large event where several foundations in Sarasota have compiled money, and are ready to give it away, in matching form! They will match each gift donated to us, and we have the chance to win other prizes as well!

For more information on any of these events, please visit www.vwfoundation.org 

We are looking forward to a great next few months, we hope to see you around!

A Tribute...

The Van Wezel Foundation attended the 2013 SRQ Visionary Tribute on Friday for Gil Waters. It was an honor to be part of a ceremony honoring such an outstanding man in our community. We are so thankful for the visionaries in Sarasota!

Pictured above is the Tribute Book for Gil Waters, a truly inspirational man who happens to live among us here in Sarasota. At the Tribute, we were fortunate enough to have been surrounded by Sarasota's most prominent individuals, all of which are close friends of Gil's. 

Over 500 individuals ranging from Bankers to members of Congress joined together on January 4th, 2013,  to celebrate the outstanding achievements of this incredible man. Sarasota's Mayor, Suzanne Atwell, named January 4th "Gill Waters Day", and several other proclamations were made on Gil's behalf. Every guest of his Tribute learned about Gil's life from beginning to present, and saw from beginning to present what Gil has done for Sarasota. His attributions to our city are truly remarkable. Gil himself made a very special thank you speech, words that truly inspired every guest. The Van Wezel Foundation is absolutely ecstatic to have been able to participate in such a momentous Tribute.

The Results Are In!

The Take Stock in Children "Strides For Education" 5k run took place Saturday, December 8th. The Van Wezel Foundation's Marketing Coordinator, Kimberly, put together a team called the "VW Purple All Stars". Ann Zeilman, COO, and Kimberly Holowiak, Marketing Coordinator were both on this team, as well as many other friends and family members. 

Well, the results are in! After the race, we were notified that The Van Wezel Foundation  won as the corporate team with the most money raised!

The Van Wezel Foundation has presented Bay Haven School of Basics Plus with a Take Stock in Children of Sarasota County Scholarship. We are so thrilled to extend our mission onto others, and we are so thankful for our collaborative efforts with Take Stock In Children.  We won a trophy, and  Bay Haven  as the school with the most participants and received a TSIC Scholarship for a qualifying child of their choice. 

Here is Kimberly, our Marketing Coordinator in a photo with the rest of the TSIC and Bay Haven Crew. Congratulations to everyone!

Destination Ireland!

 

This is the gift that just keeps giving. The Van Wezel Foundation has their 12th annual Gala coming up on February 15th. What better way to support the children is there than to donate for a chance drawing of a life time? 

We have secured eight days in Ireland. This is truly a chance of a lifetime. With your donation of  

 $20 for one ticket, $50 for three tickets, or $100 for ten tickets, you are not only entering for a chance to win an unforgettable vacation, but because the proceeds go to the children, you are supporting Arts Education for the future of our children. Let them know you care!

 

Click on the link below for more information, or email Kimberly at kholowiak@vwfoundation.org.

http://www.vwfoundation.org/gala/ireland

Inspire A Child, Enrich A life, Support Arts Education.

'Tis The Season

For season! The time has finally come, this Thursday Michele and Kimberly will be down in the Founder's Lounge for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's first show, Celtic Thunder!

We are very excited for the season to begin and for our friends to be down in the Founder's Lounge with us!

We Love It!

With the Arts and Culture Alliance Awards, Reception, and Luncheon taking place at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall over the past week, we have been immersed with arts and culture in Sarasota, and we at the Van Wezel Foundation have one thing to say- WE LOVE IT!

Monday night the festivities kicked off with the 14tth Annual Awards Celebration. At the reception, eight winners were selected for Arts Leadership Awards for their outstanding achievements in Sarasota. It was an inspiring evening filled with great company, fabulous performances, and outstanding award winners. To highlight a few, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall's own Mary Bensel won the Arts Management Award, well known philanthropist of Sarasota Lee Peterson was honored with the the Arts Leadership Award for Philanthropy, and Rich Swier graced us with his thanks for receiving the award for Arts Leadership in Media. 

Pictured above is Rich Swier, who won the Media Award, beginning his thanks in "song". It was an exciting and hilarious treat!

Kimberly and Michele, both VWF employees, enjoy their evening at the reception.

Monica, VWF President and CEO enjoys the evening with Beth Duda and Laurey Stryker.

Then, yesterday, we had "The Arts Mean Business" luncheon in conjunction with the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, with Keynote Speaker Randy Cohen. This was an amazing luncheon with an exciting panel discussion. One of the most exciting pieces of information we learned was that Sarasota is well above other cities in the country with regards to arts and culture, but we cannot stop now! We must keep our best foot forward to keep the arts alive!

 

Above is Keynote Speaker, Randy Cohen