Local Supporters Help Junior Achievement of Manatee/Sarasota Surpass Fundraising Goals

SARASOTA, Fla. - July 2, 2014 - PRLog -- Sarasota, Florida – July 2, 2014 – Junior Achievement of Manatee/Sarasota (JA) is proud to announce the success of its annual Cocktails & Conversation event. The invite-only evening was attended by 28 special guests, who gathered on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse in Sarasota to raise over $18,000. “We are so fortunate to live in a community with such wonderful businesses and philanthropists who care for the future of our students,” said Maggie Haley, Executive Director of Junior Achievement of Manatee/Sarasota. “The revenue we raised will ensure that our educational programs continue to encourage students to stay in school and work toward their economic success.”

At the event, JA introduced the new LEAD (Learn. Explore. Achieve. Dream.) programs, which reach children in grades K through 12 by teaching the skills necessary to be college and career ready. The evening exceeded fundraising expectations, giving Junior Achievement additional means to provide unprecedented support for local youth – as a donation of $500 helps fund a class of 25 students. All proceeds from Cocktails & Conversations will be used to support the vital LEAD programs. Grapevine Communications Advertising Agency, Sun Hydraulics Corporation, and Norton, Hammersley, Lopez & Skokos, P.A., sponsored the event.

About Junior Achievement Sarasota/Manatee

Junior Achievement is the world's largest and fastest growing non-profit organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to plan for their future. JA programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences to help students from kindergarten through high school make smart academic and economic choices. Visit JASarasota.org for more information.



Grapevine Communications provides full-service advertising, marketing and public relations services to clients nationwide. The firm is the most award-winning advertising agency in Sarasota, Florida, and the surrounding areas. Recent accolades include the 2014 Small Business of the Year by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce; the 2014 Best Marketing/PR Agency by SRQ Magazine readers; and the 2010 Frank G. Berlin, Sr. Small Business of the Year by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. For more information on Grapevine Communications, contact Miranda Spinner at MSpinner@grapeinc.com or 941-351-0024.