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Tag: nonprofits

Annie Silver remains without a president

Annie Silver Center closer to electing permanent board

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The Annie Silver Community Center board met on Dec. 6 to address several issues, including replacing retiring president Linda Yarger, whose last official day was Sept. 30. 

Jim Hassett has been unofficially filling the role as president of the board since Yarger’s departure, and because of an insufficient turnout at the Nov. 15 meeting, there were not enough members present to make nominations for a new president and vice president.

This was not an issue at the December meeting, as not only all current board members were in attendance, but former members and members of the community showed up to voice their concerns for the future of the community center.

“This is the first time I’ve really stepped in. I’m a community member and I’m concerned after reading the article last week about Annie Silver surviving,” said Bob Wallace, longtime Bradenton Beach resident. “I’d like it to be here always for everyone.”

Wallace wasn’t the only member of the community who came out to show support for the center and its future. Now that the board is working to get new members elected, the public attention is bringing many local residents inside to show support for this decades-old Island institution.

“I just would like to get involved. I saw bingo here after seeing the article in the paper and I want to just help out,” said Maggie VanWormer, a resident of Bradenton Beach and a first-grade teacher at Anna Maria Elementary School.

Hassett was nominated to fill the vacant president position and Donna Kirkpatrick was nominated to fill the vice-president role that would be left vacant by Hassett if elected president. With the nominations solidified, the election will take place at the Jan. 10, 2022 meeting.

Florida license plate providing funds to the arts

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Art, Entertainment.

BRADENTON – Whether a local resident or visitor to Anna Maria Island, you have probably noticed the wide variety of Florida license plates available to residents. From education, whales, support of the seas and more than a hundred more, these plates do a great service for nonprofit organizations.

At a recent event at the Manatee Performing Arts Center, Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Destination Sales Managers Aimee Blenker and Vanessa Zigich gave an update on how funds from the “State of the Arts” license plate will continue to benefit area art-related nonprofit organizations.

The Florida Arts License Plate Program was created by the Legislature in 1994, and since its inception, funds collected through the sale of these plates are distributed to the counties where the plates are sold and are used to support arts programs, organizations and activities within the specific county. The counties are required to designate a recipient organization to administer the funds which will support arts activities within the specific county. Counties receive funding directly from the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

“To date, the art plate has generated over $10 million for the state’s art programs,” said Zigich, who added the CVB receives $20 from the sale of each art tag in Manatee County.

To be eligible to receive funds from the plate program, the organization must be a Manatee County-based non-profit arts organization designated as a 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4). Manatee County-based educational institutions can also apply. Any educational institution can apply, but the funding must be for a program specifically for a program involving the arts.

This money is specifically for artists’ fees, production or expedition expenses and supplies. Administrative expenses, promotions, marketing and other similar expenses are not covered by the program.