Gulf Coast Community Foundation gives $20,000 to Embracing Our Differences

Gulf Coast Community Foundation gave a $20,000 grant to fund Embracing our Differences Make-A-Day-of-It! Program.

“These funds open a world of possibilities for thousands of students and educators in our area,” says Michael Shelton in a prepared statement, executive director of Embracing Our Differences.

This particular program provides free bus transportation to the annual outdoor exhibits, as well as other area venues, including Florida Studio Theatre, Mote Marine Laboratory and The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Arts. It’s one day where 12,000 students are able to experience fun as well as diversity appreciation.

Embracing Our Differences began in 2004 as a project to showcase community-based outdoor exhibits as a way to spread awareness about the value of diversity to Sarasota’s community.

“The celebration of diversity doesn’t end with the experience of our exhibit,” Shelton says. “Participants will see that theme expressed in art, theater, music and science at other venues throughout the day.”

This year’s Embracing Our Differences will be on display from March 31 through June 2 in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park; March 31 through April 29 at the Anthony T. Rossi Waterfront Park; and May 1 through June 2 at North Port High School. For more information, call 323-1010 or visit embracingourdifferences.org.