The McGillicuddy Connection. Visiting the All Star Children's Foundation on 17th St. in Sarasota

I frequently drive on 17th St. in  Sarasota. It's less than half a mile from my home, as the crow flies.

I had passed this building on 17th St some hundreds of times. 


It was the Cornerstone Baptist Church, and it was clearly on its last legs, if the number of cars in the parking lot on Sunday were any indication .

Then it was gone. The Church died (or moved).  The Church and the land behind it were purchased by the All Star Children's Foundation.

It was  bought the site, lock, stock and barrel: (who knew that the Baptists owned five acres of undeveloped land behind their Church!).

 Then a new Foundation began to build.



The All Star Children's Foundation building, a new venture  on 17th St. SRQ


The new buildings were unoccupied for about a year because of Covid. Now they are moving towards full occupancy.

But what is the All Star Foundation  about?   It has an impressive programme!

See this: An Important read!   DEEP FOSTER CARE FOR VULNERABLE CHILDREN!  YEAH!


Sarasota Philanthropists Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy are the the dreamers, the founders and the funders (with others) who made it possible. They are great people.

Zion and I were at the Foundation last Friday together with four other HSSC approved Canine Therapy Teams.  We were there for a show and tell half hour.

Happily the Foster Parents and Children do not need Canine Therapy visits because each of the four occupied Cottages come "complete with dog", (owned by the four sets of Foster Parents).

But we who adopted dogs were so happy to see another place, where lost and lonely children are fostered.


Staff member LaDonna with Z





Ladonna with Stephen (Chief Development Officer).  Zion and a lovely Lab make friends.

 
Outside as Stephen tells us more about All Star



Zion with Graci and Dennis McGillicuddy. 

G and D are fabulous philanthropists with a deep care for children in need.  


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