Boca Cares awarded their latest round of grants to local community charitie.

Over $45,000 was distributed thanks to the generosity of Boca Royale residents. Some of the funds were raised during the “Play It Forward” and “Sunset & Salsa” events held earlier this spring. Residents participated in pickleball, tennis, walking and biking activities during the “Play It Forward” event. After those events, residents could attend a charitable gala, “Sunset & Salsa”, sponsored by Michael Saunders. Boca Cares is an avenue for Boca Royale residents to help out their Englewood neighbors in need. Local community 501(c)3 charities are invited to submit grant requests that are reviewed by board members to assess their unmet needs according to guidelines established by the board. The focus is on organizations which provide services to the children, families, seniors and veterans of Englewood. Awards were made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Suncoast, Center Place Health, Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, Englewood Community Care Clinic, Englewood Elementary Lunch Angels, Englewood Helping Hand, Englewood Meals on Wheels, Englewood Youth Foundation, EPIC Community Resource Center, Family Promise of South Sarasota County, Jesus Loves You Ministry, the Jubilee Center, The Literacy Center for Dyslexia, Inc., Twig Cares, Inc., and the YMCA of SW Florida. Jim Epifano, Boca Cares board president, compares Boca Cares to fabric that is woven into the beautiful tapestry that is Englewood. Since its inception, Boca Cares has donated approximately $425,000 to meeting community needs, making Boca Royale residents through Boca Cares, one fantastic, caring neighbor helping other neighbors. You can learn more about Boca Cares at bocaroyalecares.com. One of the recipients of the Boca Cares grants was the YMCA of SW Florida for ten full summer camp scholarships. Pictured here (l-r): Liz Nason, Englewood YMCA branch director; Jim Epifano, Boca Cares board president; and Lucy White, YMCA program director.