Community Briefs 9.8.16

Downtown merchants collect care packages 

At the July Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association meeting, members agreed to help local military personnel serving overseas through Operation Care Package.

This community-wide effort will collect packages of food and products that military members can enjoy while deployed, as well as coupons and gift cards they can use when they return. The packages will be sent overseas in time for the holidays.

“Our participation in Operation Care Package is an opportunity for downtown merchants and residents to show our friends and family members serving our country overseas that we are thinking of them and that we appreciate their service,” said Downtown Merchants Association Chairman Ron Soto in a release.

All downtown merchants are asked to participate by collecting the names and addresses of local family members and friends serving in the military. Anyone interested in contributing can email [email protected] or visit sarasotadowntownmerchants.com to arrange pickup of donated items.

Forty Carrots welcomes clinical supervisor

Forty Carrots Family Center announces that Rosemary Cullain, Ph.D., has joined the agency in the newly created position of clinical supervisor for child and family therapy services.

Cullain has nearly 35 years of experience in schools and private practice, with a special expertise in autism. 

The local nonprofit focuses on strengthening families through services that include parenting programs, preschool, and child and family therapy.

“Growing this program is a strategic priority for Forty Carrots as we work to meet the needs of children and families from all walks of life,” said Michelle Kapreilian, executive director of Forty Carrots, in a release. “We are thrilled to have someone of Dr. Cullain’s caliber to ensure we continue to build a program with the utmost professionalism and efficacy.”

Education Foundation expands philanthropy

The Education Foundation of Sarasota County announced recently that Camille Cline joined its office as vice president of strategic philanthropy.

“Philanthropy is at the heart of what we’re trying to do here,” said Jennifer Vigne, executive director, in a release. “Camille’s background as a book editor in New York and as an advancement officer in higher ed, blended with her volunteer spirit and parent’s eye toward education, make her approach the perfect complement to our mission, guiding values and goals toward partnerships and investment.”

Cline comes to the Education Foundation from the University of Virginia’s Office of Engagement and Annual Giving. Prior to her work at the University of Virginia, Cline worked in the publishing industry as senior acquisitions editor of nonfiction and fiction books at New York and Texas publishing houses.