Great Mates Gala raises support for area foster children in need

Photo caption Back L-R: Sharon Hoatland, Laney Ortega, Linda Gressin, Gail Henderson, Svetlana Ivashchenko, Kristin Poolman, Bev Beaucage, Ruby Teeple, Mary Ann Gamrot,
Front row L-R: Jann Knighton, Connie Moore, Emily Brown, Sharon Goslee
Not pictured: Mary Beth Westbrook, Meredith Slavin, Kay Moran, Cathy Scholz, Cindy Rhategan

Palmetto, May 25, 2022 – The Bradenton Yacht Club (BYC) Great Mates presented the 2022 Gala proceeds to the Children’s Guardian Fund (CGF), an area non-profit serving the 1,200+ local children in foster care. The John J. Gorr Foundation of the Manatee Community Foundation supported this all-volunteer effort by matching the first $25,000 raised.

Gail Henderson, Gala Chair, said, “I am so pleased to see this level of support from our club and community partners for these vulnerable children who have so little. We had so many people come together to make this happen. Bob Harrigan, our local Chief Meteorologist from ABC7, helped bring in a lot of live auction dollars. It takes a village!”

Club President Sharon Goslee, a Guardian ad Litem Volunteer in Manatee County, added, “I have been a volunteer advocate for local foster children for a year and have seen first-hand the difference the CGF makes in the lives of these children. One of my kids was sleeping on the floor, and they bought her a bed.”

The organization’s Executive Director and Program Director were present to receive the award.  As the only two employees of the organization, they expressed sincere gratitude for the generous gift. “We are seeing an increased need for tutoring because our children were hit hard by the academic disruptions of 2020. These funds will provide academic support and so much more to make sure these kids have a productive and stable stay in foster care,” said Kristin Poolman, CGF Program Director.