Donor Spotlight: Christine Jennings

When it comes to finances and raising money, retired bank CEO Christine Jennings is well-versed, so when she first heard about Season of Sharing nearly a decade ago, she knew immediately that the community-wide fundraising partnership would be a success.

“It is an outstanding program,” says Jennings. “Every single dollar goes to benefit someone in need and that is very special.”

Jennings has been a consistent donor to Season of Sharing over the past decade and has been involved in Sarasota’s arts community for 25 years. She has served as president of the Sarasota Film Festival, the Sarasota Ballet and the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.

“Giving is just something I’ve always believed in, as do a majority of the people who live here,” she says. “That’s what makes this area so great, the spirit of giving.”

Jennings is currently the executive director and development director of the Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and says the best part about her job is seeing the passion exhibited by the troupe’s young performers.

“I really love the opportunities that performing gives to so many kids,” says Jennings. “We see it in the troupe all the time, the opportunity for young African-Americans to shine and perform.”

Although the world of the performing arts and the work done by Season of Sharing may not seem related, Jennings says that, to her, the connection between the two is clear.

“There is a partnership between the arts and the community; the community has to give and attend for the arts to be able to give back to them,” says Jennings. “It all comes down to collaborating and giving back, and that is what Season of Sharing does.”

Contact Maria Amodio at [email protected]