During the summer of 2005, the community joined with the William G. Selby and Marie Selby Foundation in celebrating its 50^th anniversary. Celebrating a Tapestry of Giving included over 42 initiatives which revolved around the concept of “giving and sharing.” Since the initial Steering Committee meeting in September of 2004, we have been grateful for the many who worked far beyond what they thought would be “getting together for a few meetings”. The Marketing Committee, so vital in getting information out to the community, worked closely with both print and electronic media to share the opportunities for community participation. The Herald Tribune partnered with the Selby Foundation in more ways than can be expressed. Over 300 volunteers worked countless hours to make this celebration so heart-warming. Organizational support from Ringling School of Art and Design, the seven Selby Saturday venues, Sarasota County Parks Department, Sarasota County Public Libraries, Girl Scouts of the Gulf Coast of Florida, numerous arts organizations, the Education Channel 20, METV, Access 19, and All Faiths Food Bank played major roles. While space doesn’t permit us to list each individual or organization, Celebrating a Tapestry of Giving was enriched by every participant. A heartfelt thank you to all for embracing “giving and sharing.”

Documentary Premiere- May 16

· 260 in attendance at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts

· Documentary shown 132 times on Education Channel 20.

· Copies have been distributed to Sarasota County Schools and 21 libraries in the 4 counties.

· 30 second PSA, aired on ABC 7, won a Gold Award (2nd place) in the national MarCom Creative Awards, presented to those who exceed high industry standards.

Kickoff Breakfast at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium-May 17

· 325 in attendance

· Five Selby Scholar Search winners each presented $10,000 grants to local agencies.

· The Selby Scholar Search drew applications from 10 states as far away as Arizona and Utah with earliest scholarship received in 1963.

Donor’s Forum Lunch –May 17

· 54 in attendance with speakers: Council of Foundations CEO, Dot Ridings, and Southeastern Council of Foundations CEO, Martin Lehfeldt.

Commemorative Publication- May 22

· 350,000 copies distributed in Sunday Herald Tribune newspapers.

· Won Best Special Section Gold Award in its category at the Annual Conference of Florida Newspaper Advertising and Marketing Executives.

One Book One Community – “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder – May 25-26 and June

· 1,869 attended the Tracy Kidder Forum or participated in discussion groups.

· Sarasota County Public Libraries did a Tapestry of Giving youth activity with 225 children.

Ticket Distribution Day for The Arts Celebrate A Tapestry of Giving-June 4

· With the help of the Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast of Florida, food collected for the All Faiths Food Bank provided over 2,600 meals.

Historic Display of the life of Bill and Marie Selby and the impact of the Selby Foundation

· Visitors to Sarasota County Public Libraries during June totaled 207,905 with 573 visitors to the Sarasota History Center.

· Displays continue to be at the libraries, Spanish Point, and at Twin Lakes Park.

Selby Saturdays – June 4,11,18,25

· Free admission sponsored by Selby Foundation at Crowley Museum & Nature Center, G.WIZ, Historic Spanish Point, John and Mable Ringling Museum, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory, and South Florida Museum.

· Actors from The Players portrayed Bill and Marie Selby at each venue.

· Total attendance for June 2005 reached 44,791, a 336% increase over June 2004.

The Arts Celebrate a Tapestry of Giving-June 12

· Two performances by the Florida West Coast Symphony, Circus Sarasota, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Sarasota Opera, Key Chorale, The Players, the Asolo Theatre, and Florida Studio Theatre filled the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Girl Scouts of Gulf Coast of Florida served as ushers.

Dr. Claire Gaudiani, author of The Greater Good-June 6

· In appreciation of designing the Celebrating at Tapestry of Giving logo, Ringling School of Art and Design hosted 30 supporters at a pre-event dinner.

· Nonprofit Resource Center hosted a breakfast for 100 nonprofit representatives.

· Greater Good luncheon hosted by the Junior League of Sarasota was attended by 350 and raised over $10,000 for the League’s Endowment Fund.

· Reception for 50 Legacy Society/Estate Planners was hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

Community Essay Contest and Selby Foundation Legacy Path Dedication –July 26

· Essay contest yielded essays from ages 6 to 90.

· 100 Community Essay winners presented mini grants [$1,000 top 10 winners, $100 remaining 90] to local non profits at a dedication of the 100 trees planted at Phillippi Estates Park to create the Selby Legacy Path. Pipe and Drum from the Jacobites lead the procession of the winners paired with their chosen agencies for the grant presentation ceremony and Selby Foundation Legacy Path dedication.

Season of Sharing/Selby Challenge- June through August

· Selby Foundation offered a dollar for dollar challenge opportunity for all donations to the Season of Sharing, a partnership of the Herald Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to help the needy with emergency needs in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto Counties.

· Generous community support with 532 donations made during July and August totaling $72,807.05 was matched by the Selby Foundation for a total of $145,614.10 for the Season of Sharing Fund.