PODS<br> Englewood Music Festival

More than forty years ago Englewood Rotarians founded the Englewood Youth Foundation as a not for profit corporation with four pillars of support for their mission:

   1. Providing direct financial support to the youth through scholarships and specific program funding.
   2. Financially supporting surrounding schools and area youth organizations that provide direct services and experiences to underserved children.
   3. Establishment of long-term relationships with public schools and area youth organizations that share our vision, and

   4. Through the provision of volunteer and support services directly to youth and youth programs that encourage community outreach, career advancement and leadership development.

Our current activities illustrate how we build our programs based on these pillars of support. Last year we provided almost $40,000.00 in scholarships to graduating Lemon Bay High School seniors. We lent support to the Interact Club which now has 40 members, helped with Project Graduation and helped send members of the drama program to compete in International competition in Nebraska.We provided seed money for the development of the Fire fighter Cadet Program and have helped the Athletic and Band Programs when needed.

When the YMCA expanded their After School and Reading Programs we provided assistance. We have provided support to Englewood Sailing Association, an organization with a proven track record encouraging responsibility, developing self esteem and building leadership development.

We assist the elementary schools though reading programs, a dictionary project and other direct assistance. We helped with the skate park and the playground equipment behind the YMCA. Most recently we assisted in the renovation of the facilities at our 13 acre camp ground on the Myakka River. It is now available for scouting and similar qualifying groups to experience "old Florida" at little or no charge.

For your support of the Englewood Music Festival and your support of the Rotary Spring and Winter Fine Arts Festivals, a most sincere thank you. You help make Englewood the special, caring community it is.

Warren Spear

President, Englewood Youth Foundation