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If Chuck and Margie taught us anything, it's to never settle. That's why our nonprofit partners launched new programs and initiatives as they envision and enact bigger impacts.

Coach Mark Cristiani
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In honor of Margie’s career as an educator, we created the Time to Inspire Margie’s Educators (TIME) Fellowship. The TIME Fellowship awards 25 educators with the resources to renew their love for teaching and helps our school system recruit, retain, and recognize exceptional teachers like Mark Cristiani (pictured above), who used his fellowship to level up his exercise expertise to better train his student athletes. 

Here are the rest of our inaugural TIME fellows, who have found an inspiring spark to carry on their vital work as educators and role models. 

Clesha Allen

Booker Elementary School

“Harmony and Tranquility: Connecting with “The Force” – Travel to Japan to explore methods of meditation and mindfulness through traditional yoga, visiting sacred shrines and temples, and communing with nature to build strength, awareness and harmony in the mind, body, and spirit. 

Debbie Bell

Booker Elementary School

“Re-pair-ations Road Trip: To Deal and Heal” – A road trip across the United States to visit historic sites related to the Civil Rights movement, including  opportunities to reflect and heal through these experiences. 

Krista Buffaloe

Southside Elementary School

“To the Amazon and Beyond - A Journey Through Peru” – An adventure through Peru and into the Amazon to discover the natural wonders of the rainforest, with a blend of excitement and relaxation. 

Taissa Bushnell

Cranberry Elementary School

“Looking Back in Order to Look Forward” – A reflective hiking trip of self-discovery in New England’s national parks to explore historical ancestral sites.

Alexandra Catena

Riverview High

“Confessions of an Appassionata” – An exploration of her heritage by traveling across Italy to explore their language, culture, and cuisine.

Mark Cristiani

Riverview High School

“Westside Barbell” – A summer dedicated to training under one of the most prestigious weightlifting coaches in the country. 

Scarlett Davis

Gocio Elementary School

“Pastel de nata, 40 under 30, and la Familia Hondurena” – A whirlwind adventure to Portugal, Norway, and Italy to explore multiple foreign cultures.

Rebecca Drum

Glenallen Elementary School

“Putting the Wind Back in My Sail” – A sailing trip exploring the Greek Isles and its historical offerings.

Wendy Dunn

Suncoast Polytechnical High School

“Surfing Waves vs. Surfing the Net: Unplug and Recharge in Hawaii to Sustain Self and Nurture Students” – Deepening connections to the ocean by learning to surf and kiteboard on the big waves of Hawaii.

Christina Eicher

Southside Elementary School

“Emerald Isle - Adventures in History, Ancestry, and Culture!” – Following a rainbow by traveling to the green shores of Ireland to escape to natural wonder, medieval history, adventure, and hopefully a pot of gold.

Tarin Foster

Venice High School

“A Hop, Skip & Jump Across the Pond: European Author Exploration” – An exploration with stays in Germany, France, and England that include a variety of sight-seeing and research experiences to further understand literature.

Gregory Flick Jr.

Heron Creek Middle School

“Journey through the Ancient World: Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome, and Spain” – A magnificent journey through Europe to explore the history of ancient civilizations.

Alexandra Kellemen

Alta Vista Elementary School

“Vitamin SEA - Riding the Waves of Life” – A surfing expedition based in Costa Rica, while exploring the natural wonders the island has to offer.

Jamie Lowicz

Oak Park School

“Learning to Live Deliberately through Solitude, Simplicity, and Self Reflection” – Reliving the life of Henry David Thoreau by visiting the lakes of New England to hike, bike, and read.

Brent McClenathen

McIntosh Middle School

“European Ingenuity - Learning from Engineering and Music Pioneers” – A venture to the historical sites of many Western firsts, including the birthplaces of aviation in France, modern robotics in Germany, and classical music in Austria.

Heather Nelson

North Port High School

“American Ballet: Inspiring Training, Education & Performance” – An extended trip to New York City to take open ballet classes, attend world-class musicals, and re-inspire a passion for education and performance.

Frank Ourednik

Riverview High School

“The Vagabond Project” – A road trip across America to explore backroads, small towns, and historic national parks—while stopping to fish along the way.

Jasmine Persaud

Booker High School

“Soul Connections” (Group Project) – A journey to three African countries that will fulfill a yearning to connect with a continent tied to ancient bloodlines.

Robert Przekwas II

Suncoast Polytechnical High School

“Out of Africa; Something New” – Fulfilling a photographer’s childhood dream to travel to Botswana for a safari to explore the wildlife and landscape.

Edna Sherrell

Booker High School

“Soul Connections” (Group Project) – A journey to three African countries that will fulfill a yearning to connect with a continent tied to ancient bloodlines.

Alicia Stein

Bay Haven School of Basics Plus

“Creating Inclusion and Acceptance Through Art” – A whirlwind trip to New York City to explore the Museum of Modern Art, The Whitney, and the 9/11 memorial and museum.

Kathleen Stein

Booker High School

“Time to Think” – A quest to rekindle creativity through a summer writing retreat in the Florida Keys.

Anita Marie Wexler

Sarasota High School

“A Lifelong Dream” – Fulfilling a lifelong dream by visiting the Galapagos Islands and taking in the beauty of the wildlife and landscape of Ecuador and Peru.

Audrey Wilhelm

Fruitville Elementary School

“Unicorns, Dragons, and Lions, Oh My!” – A special education teacher’s journey from Florida to the British Isles to rediscover the joy of learning. 

Freda Williams

Pineview Elementary School

“Muggle Looking to Explore and Reignite in the United Kingdom” – Inspired by a passion for Harry Potter, jumping on a broom to explore the sights of London (and even brew potions).

Freda Williams

Pineview Elementary School

“Muggle Looking to Explore and Reignite in the United Kingdom” – Inspired by a passion for Harry Potter, jumping on a broom to explore the sights of London (and even brew potions).

Freda Williams

Pineview Elementary School

“Muggle Looking to Explore and Reignite in the United Kingdom” – Inspired by a passion for Harry Potter, jumping on a broom to explore the sights of London (and even brew potions).

Freda Williams

Pineview Elementary School

“Muggle Looking to Explore and Reignite in the United Kingdom” – Inspired by a passion for Harry Potter, jumping on a broom to explore the sights of London (and even brew potions).

Jacqueline photo
Early learning matters text

The Barancik Foundation Early Learning Initiative increases support for teachers working with our youngest children. Backed by research, this initiative helps to sustain and grow the workforce and bring more behavioral health services to classrooms.

Did you know fact
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Working with Sarasota Art Museum of Ringling College (SAM), we asked ourselves how we could engage more visitors with the museum’s inspiring exhibitions. The solution was Free Second Sundays, which made it even more accessible for all members of the community. 

Art museum painting class
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For some, conservation is seen as a pathway to spiritual well-being. With Tikkun HaYam, Rabbi Ed Rosenthal uses the Jewish tradition’s teachings about the sea to build a more inclusive, diverse, multi-faith generation of environmental conservationists. 

Law enforcement vehicle
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Chuck and Margie were known for their solution-focused approach to philanthropy. And few things honor that approach more than the new driving simulators for the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and other area law enforcement agencies. These simulators will help all area law enforcement conduct their vital duties more safely while reducing carbon emissions compared with in-car training. 

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