- March 13, 2025
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For the past several years, the Longboat Key Lawn Party held by the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key has benefited the Children's Guardian Fund in Sarasota, said club president Michael Garey.
Last year, the party wasn't able to happen because of the three successive hurricanes, two of which severely affected the island.
Yet that didn't stop the efforts of the club, which decided to draw from its account to fund the organization, which responds to the needs of children in state or foster care.
"Our club felt that although we couldn't have the event, couldn't raise the money, the need is still there, so we decided to take $50,000 out of our Kiwanis operating account," Garey said.
While the highlight of the Kiwanis club's monthly meeting, held March 13 at Lazy Lobster of Longboat Key, was the check presentation to the Children's Guardian Fund, announcements also emphasized another charity effort.
The club's Pancake Breakfast, a longstanding tradition which had been discontinued, returns April 5 at the Lazy Lobster.
Staff at the Children's Guardian Fund said the check will help provide the services of the Sarasota-based organization, which is privately funded.
"This check is really important, because we typically get about 80 to $90,000 from Kiwanis in December through the Lawn Party effort," said Executive Director Svetlana Ivashchenko.
The organization responds to the needs of children when abusive or neglectful homes forces the removal of them and state and local agencies cannot meet their needs.
Its emergency essentials and support include provisions not limited to clothes, tutoring, summer camp, driving lessons, and other observed needs, which can even be an item, such as a musical instrument. The organization tries to provide one guardian for each child.
President Andrew Chiang said currently there are about 800 children in its care.
Past president Cynthia Craig said she thinks the major need of the children is tutoring and recounted a story in which a child formed a parental bond with his tutor.
"In the last session, he started to cry because he said, 'I'll never see him again," she said. "The tutor said you can see me as many times as you want, for as long as you want."
She said the tutor agreed to continue regardless of being paid.
"There are a lot of very good people in this organization," she said.
Garey said despite the Lawn Party not taking place, the club made the decision to continue its support for the organization.
"After discussion amongst the board, we decided that it was time to do what was right, and to come up with something for the kids, the Children's Guardian Fund, that we so proudly support," he said during the meeting.
Ivashchenko said the support the organization receives from the club goes beyond a financial level.
"Not only is it important from the financial standpoint, but we also get a lot of exposure on Longboat Key, and we've been able to network with a lot of different individuals and spread the message about what's going on in foster care and the different needs that our kids have," she said.
Declining attendance forced the cancellation of the Pancake Breakfast, which supports local children's charities, Garey said.
Previously held at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, the revival of the breakfast is moving to the Lazy Lobster, which Garey co-owns.
"The fact that I can promote it here will generate interest and make it be a happening thing again, which it was for 20 years," Garey said.
In the future, the club also won't have to look as far for available funds, with the Lawn Party making its return in December.
