SARASOTA, Fla. (December 3, 2024) – Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) of the Suncoast recently received a $50,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to help recover from storm damage to its Fruitville Rd campus sustained during Hurricane Helene. The grant, with funding provided by the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, will help JFCS repair its library roof, flooring and fixtures.
During Hurricane Helene, which struck the community on September 26, a neighbor’s tree crashed through the roof of JFCS’ library, causing damage to the floors, walls, furniture, books and artwork, as well as the technology closet next door, rendering the spaces unusable.
JFCS typically hosts many groups in its library, including Veterans served by the Operation Military Assistance Program (OMAP), Ignite and REACH parenting classes, and groups for seniors suffering from dementia and their caregivers, as well as JFCS Board committees, employee orientations and other gatherings.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County for this generous grant,” said Dr. Helene Lotman, President/CEO of JFCS of the Suncoast. “Their support will allow us to make needed repairs to our building without negatively impacting our budget and to continue offering critical services to the community.