BRADENTON -- Great Mates of the Bradenton Yacht Club, once again, on a mission to do something great for the community and for those needing a place to call ”home.“

Last summer when the club’s Great Mates, a group of women determined to make a difference in the community, gathered to decide which charitable organization to help at the annual fundraiser event, there was an overwhelming vote to help end homelessness.

Community outreach chair Sydney Shaurette is hopeful that the Great Mates will raise over $55,000.00 for Family Promise at their event March 6.

Family Promise of Manatee County was one of many organizations that presented to the women and made a case that they needed money to continue helping families, with children, in need of immediate shelter, food and case management.

Community outreach chair Sydney Shaurette said that in the past they never sought out charities publicly. Instead, the women relied solely on recommendations from the club’s members.

But for this ninth annual fundraiser ”All Dat Jazz“ event on March 6, Shaurette said they conducted interviews, and the Great Mates community outreach board participated in presentations from interested organizations from around Manatee County.

”This year we had 12 charities apply and we interviewed everyone,“ she said. ”Then the Great Mates on the board voted it down to three (three qualifying charities) and those three presented their case. It took all summer (2009).“

Family Promise was the selected charity, and though it was their first time applying to be the focus charity for their annual event, the need for shelter and food is critical for families with children who have lost their job, lost their home and been forced onto the streets.

”We have now grown to know what we are doing,“ Shaurette said. ”We are pushing over $300,000.00 (raised for charities) over the eight years. This year we are shooting for $55, 000.00.“

She added it might be tough this year with the economy, but the Great Mates want to raise money to fight homelessness. They won’t stop until the night of the event.

Earlier in the week, some Great Mates gathered in Palmetto to put together silent auction baskets and live auction items.  Some Bradenton Yacht Club members have promised to bid high to help the ladies help Family Promise.

”If we are able to raise $55, 000.00 that will triple their (Family Promise) budget,“ she said looking around the Palmetto house at every room filled with auction items. ”It will be extremely significant.“

Family Promise of Manatee County currently has 15 different churches that house homeless families. Shaurette said they are a drug free family oriented – for single or married couples – organization helping families ”living on the streets.“

Great Mates of Bradenton Yacht club prepared auction items for "All Dat Jazz" event on March 6 to help raise money for homelessness.  Sydney Shaurette, from left, Bonnie Richardson, Edie Bustle, Charlene Hoffmeister, Dinny Sayre.

”It’s a sign of the times that put them on the streets,“ she said.

Family Promise organization’s director, Bruce Webster, said the need for families seeking shelter and help has increased dramatically over the past few years. Local shelters are filled, jobs are hard to find, and jobs paying enough to support at least a two bedroom apartment and housing expenses are hard to come by.

Webster is the only full-time staffer at Family Promise, and he said they want to increase the hours of their part-time case manager to help families coming to their facility and to maybe help families from falling into a position of needing help.

So, when folks head to ”All Dat Jazz“ event on March 6, they will be directly helping Family Promise to continue to work with homeless families.

Shaurette said the Bradenton Yacht Club will be converted to a one-night speak easy scene for the event, and people with tickets will have to use a password to get into the event.

If you don’t already have a ticket to the event, contact Sydney Shaurette at (941) 729-9011 to purchase a $100.00 that supports local families and children.

Although, if you really want to help, and if you can afford a table that would "greatly" help the Great Mates meet their goal of $55,000.00 for Family Promise.

Other charities that have been helped in the past through the events and efforts of the Great Mates, include the Women’s Resource Center, Meals on Wheels, Hope family Services, Pace Center for Girls, Family Partnership, Manasota ARC and Manatee Children’s Resources.

”We want to do something for our community and all of our efforts benefit a charity,“ Shaurette said. ”The charity has to be of interest to women when we judge and Family Promise was of interest to women.

”I am just so excited, and I am thrilled that we can help this organization.“

Read TBT article about Family Promise:

Hope for homeless families being helped by Family Promise and Bradenton Yacht Club's Great Mates

Erica Newport is a daily reporter for The Bradenton Times. She covers art, culture and community. If you have a story that might interest Erica, please e-mail her using erica.newport@thebradentontimes.com address.  She also takes your questions related to our weekly theme days and provides advice and opinions for our readers.

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