Sarasota Manatee Home Town Heroes

Sandy Slaminko has been instrumental in bringing the national organization, Baby Basics, Inc. to our local area. Baby Basics provides diapers to the “working poor”. Sandy has been married for over 40 years, has four children, and seven grandchildren. Two of Sandy’s children were originally her foster children. Clearly, taking responsibility for her community has been a way of life for Sandy for a very long time. She shares about some of the people and experiences that have helped to make her who she is. Links and organizations mentioned: Kappa Kappa Gamma (http://www.kappakappagamma.org/) Jewish Children and Families Services (WWW.JFCS.ORG) Baby Basics (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Baby-Basics-of-Sarasota/201355450459)

Sharon and Brian Ehrlich, who have been residents of our community for just 6 short years, put together a diaper drive for All Faith’s Food Bank. They shared with me how they became inspired to do this, how they did (hint- it took some friends and a healthy network) and why they spent their precious free time doing this. I hope you will be as inspired as me to help in some way after listening to them. All Faith's Food Bank (http://www.allfaithsfoodbank.org/) Brian's email

Gini Hyman was raised in Sarasota and shares a bit about what Sarasota means to her. In addition to being a realtor and operating an organic, natural and human grade pet treat business that has sales in over twenty eight states (http://sites.google.com/site/ginisbirdiebread/), she works with the Commission on the Status of Women Sarasota County, the Florida West Coast Avian Society, and Baby Basics. All three of these organizations provide valuable services to our community. The mission for the Commission on the Status of Women Sarasota County is to Empower Women through Education, Research, and Advocacy. The Florida West Coast Aviation Society was founded after Hurricane Charlie when so many pet birds were left homeless. Baby Basics provides diapers for the working poor members of our community. Important links and contact information: Commission for the Status of Women Sarasota County (http://cswsarasota.googlepages.com/) You can contact them at [email protected] or 941 961-7982 Florida West Coast

Karen Bell is a clown who attended the former Ringling Clown College, left our community to travel the world, delighting people with her talents. Then she returned to not only work with Circus Sarasota, but to help the senior members of our community who are suffering from Alzheimer’s as well as other forms of dementia. Listen to this delightful interview and share any comments you might have. Links mentioned: Circus Sarasota (www.circussarasota.org)

Dennis Blanchard is a long time advocate of women's rights as well as an all-around interesting fellow.  He has been a lifelong amateur radio operator and a volunteer at WSLR.   He has hiked the Appalachian Trail and is a member of the Appalachian Trail located in Sarasota, a member of NOW (National Organization for Women) serving on the state board, a member of the Coalition for Peace and Justice, and a member of Veterans for Common Sense.  In this interview he shares how his parents and other people who entered his life while he was a young boy helped to shape him and make him who he is today.   Some links mentioned:  NOW (www.sarasotamanateenow.org, 800-301-8604) South West Florida Coalition for Peace and Justice (www.swfcpj.org) Toastmasters (www.posspeaking.freetoasthost.org 927-5665) Appalachian Trail Club (www.dennisandjane.org/atc 921-1467)  Veterans for Common Sense (www.floridaveteransforcommonsense.org/)

Steve Finkel has been a regular volunteer in our community for a very long time.  He volunteers with the Sarasota County Humane Society, the South Eastern Guide Dog, Women's Exchange, Sherriff’s Department with various at-risk youth, McIntosh Middle School, and at Sarasota Memorial Hospital with the Therapy Pets program.  All of this would be impressive by itself, but when coupled with his visual impairment, I think it is fabulously inspiring.  This Podcast is a little longer than most of my interviews, but it is definitely worth every second of it.  Some organizations mentioned: South Eastern Guide Dogs (http://www.guidedogs.org/) Humane Society (http://www.hssc.org/index.htm), Pet Therapy http://www.pet-therapy.org/),

Tom Schlotterback has been living in our community since 1970 and because of his strong ties to the community and his strong feeling that our community has given so much to him he donates his services as an auctioneer to nonprofit and charitable organizations. He and his brothers, Ken and Brian, own Pest Management, and after knowing them and their father for about 20 years, it is my opinion that they have an enormous amount of integrity. When I discovered that Tom provided this service I was far from surprised. Tom became an auctioneer in his twenties and after his mother’s suggestion that he use his skill to give back he did just that. He had business cards printed that said he provides this for free for nonprofit and charitable organizations and has been giving back ever since. Please listen to Tom's story and share with me any opinions or thoughts you might have.

Dr. Isaac is the President of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, in addition to the medical director of Manatee County Child Protection Team. In my interview with him he shared about the pediatricians who have come before him that he considers his heroes. He also told me about a positive experience that came about from his work with abused children. Some agencies mentioned are The Guardian Ad Litem Program (http://www.guardianadlitem.org/), the Manatee Child Protection Team(http://manateechildrensservices.com/cpt.asp) and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (http://www.fcaap.org/).

Irene and Christopher, a mother and her eight year old son, have been working hard all year long to put together a holiday party for single parent families. Over 350 people in our community will be served. At the party each child will be given an opportunity to choose a gift for their parent and each parent will get a gift for their child. If you would like to help Irene and Christopher you can contact her directly at [email protected]. She told me, off air, that the gifts she needs most are for teenage boys. If you can help with that please do. The party is December 13. Some organizations that were mentioned: All Faith's Food Bank www.allfaithsfoodbank.org United Way http://www.liveunited.org/ Mothers Helping Mothers 941-953-7572

Rabbi Elaine Glickman is a three year resident of our great community and has already stormed the area with good works. The podcast will be uploaded by November 24, 2009. Some links mentioned Bob Alper (the Rabbi Comedian) www.bobalper.com All Faiths Food Bank www.allfaithsfoodbank.org Sarasota-Manatee Jewish Federation www.smjf.org Temple Emanu El of Sarasota www.templeemanuelsarasota.org or www.sarasotatemple.org