Goodwill Manasota honors supporters during Ambassador Recognition Luncheon

As a kick-off to Goodwill Week, Goodwill Manasota held its Ambassador Recognition Luncheon, recognizing those who make a commitment to share the mission of Goodwill with the greater community by volunteering at events, speaking on the organization’s behalf, creating new fundraisers, and introducing their friends, family and colleagues to Goodwill.

Numerous volunteers were honored for their contributions, including milestone ambassador Phil Mancini, who has supported the organization for a decade. The luncheon, which featured the warm and humorous banter of Goodwill Foundation vice president Veronica Brandon Miller and director of community outreach Rick Hughes, was sponsored by Bouchard Insurance.

“We feel there is no better way to launch Goodwill Week than to recognize the many ways our corporate partners and individual donors and volunteers contribute to our success,” said Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky. “Our Ambassadors recognize and understand the importance of what we do to give people a hand up and get them on their way to self-sufficiency, and we could not succeed in our mission of changing lives through the power of work without their commitment, passion and generosity.”

The Goodwill Manasota award winners were: “Milestone Award,” Phil Mancini; “Environmental Partner of the Year,” Publix; “Hands-Up Ambassador of the Year,” Steve Paley of Rapid Security Solutions; “Educational Impact Partner of the Year,” Visible Men Academy; “Employment Impact Partner of the Year,” Jaime DiDomenico and CoolToday; “Community Outreach Partner of the Year,” Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida; “Community Awareness Partner of the Year,” AAA; “Community Marketing Ambassador of the Year,” Sandy Young; “Corporate Sponsor of the Year,” Re/Max Alliance, “Media Sponsor of the Year,” WSRQ; “Philanthropic Ambassador of the Year,” JPMorgan Chase; “Ambassador Veterans Advocates of the Year,” Steve Hall and Bill Robertson; “Voice of God & All Things A/V Award,” Brent Greeno; “Shutterbug and Social Media Guru of the Year,” Cliff Roles; “Community Spirit Ambassadors of the Year,” Lulu and Maverick of 106.5CTQ; “Good Neighbor Program Ambassador of the Year,” Rosa Payson; “Ambassador Volunteer of the Year,” Stanley Eding; and “Economic Impact Partner of the Year,” SunTrust.

PHOTO IDs:

(From l-r) Goodwill Manasota president and CEO Bob Rosinsky, ‘Milestone Award’ winner Phil Mancini, and Goodwill Manasota Foundation vice president Veronica Brandon Miller

Goodwill Manasota board member Dr. Richard Wharton (left) with wife Lou Bertha and son Joseph

WSRQ Radio – Goodwill’s ‘Media Sponsor’ award winner – director of sales Howard Katz and owner and general manager Susan Nilon

106.5CTQ radio personalities Maverick and Lulu were honored as ‘Community Spirit Ambassadors of the Year’

Photos by Cliff Roles

About Goodwill Manasota
Goodwill Manasota is an industry-leading, 501(c)(3), not-for-profit organization that changes lives through the power of work. With the sales of donated goods and philanthropic donations, Goodwill is able to assist people with disabilities and other barriers to employment by providing job skills training and employment opportunities. In 2014, Goodwill Manasota served more than 16,000 people, placed 680 people in jobs and assisted 520 veterans as they reintegrated back into the civilian workforce. Goodwill Manasota’s economic impact back to the community is worth $81.3 million. Goodwill is one of the pioneers of the reduce-reuse-recycle movement and this past year diverted 39 million pounds out of the landfill. We accomplish our mission through a network of Good Neighbor Centers in Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee and DeSoto counties and our Mission Development Services (MDS) around North America. Goodwill Manasota is accountable to a local Board of Directors. Goodwill Manasota in essence belongs to this community, and is not owned by any individual or company. For more information, visit www.experiencegoodwill.org.

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