$24,350 raised for Tutoring

Longboat Key, Fla. – The $10,000 Matching Challenge announced by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Foundation back in December has been reached.  Bob Gault and Lynn Larson developed this initiative in place of the Annual Longboat Key Kiwanis Foundation Lawn Party.  The goal of the matching challenge was to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s Guardian Fund Tutoring Program.

It took the community a little over a month to exceed the matching challenge.  Donations trickled in slowly at first, with gifts made by patrons of the Lazy Lobster restaurant and Kiwanis Club members.  Progress was accelerated by the New Genesis Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation at the end of January when they came through with a $10,000 donation to support the initiative.

This virtual event raised $24,350, which is enough to tutor 24 students for six months.

With close to 1,200 children in the 12th Judicial Circuit currently in foster and state care, this at-risk population needs academic support more than ever.  Children who have been removed from their parents due to abuse or neglect are nearly always behind their peers in school.  The vast majority do not have a solid foundation of education in the home.  They typically have to deal with multiple moves during the school year.  And without intervention, these children would find it nearly impossible to keep up in school.

The Children’s Guardian Fund, in partnership with the Guardian ad Litem Program, can identify children who are falling behind in school and get them the help they need.  All proceeds from this virtual lawn party will be used to provide one-on-one professional tutoring to local children in foster and state care.