LWRCF Presented Four Awards During Anniversary Kick Off

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation (LWRCF) welcomed over 150 supporters to the 25th Anniversary Celebration Kick Off on March 23 at the Sarasota Polo Club. The inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, Exemplifying Community, was presented to C. John A. Clarke. The Junior Humanitarian Award was presented to Cecile Visa, who attends Out-of-Door Academy, and nominees Danica Kovacevic and Kaitlyn Roman were also recognized.

Jeff Toale, incoming chair of the LWRCF board and vice president of business development with Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Homes, served as the host. Northern Trust and Williams Parker-Waterside – LWRCF Community Business Partners – sponsored the event. Lunch was provided by Pineapple Kitchen, and LWRCF Community Business Partner.

Toale provided a brief history of the foundation which was founded in 2000 as a pillar of the Lakewood Ranch community. The organization began as a “fund and arm of the Manatee Community Foundation” and became a 501(c)3 foundation in 2023, enabling LWRCF to expand and explore new opportunities.

Toale also introduced C. John A. Clarke, who was awarded with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, Exemplifying Community. Born in 1938, Clarke was brought up on a ranch in the Kenya Highlands. He graduated from Cambridge University with an honors degree in science followed by a degree in agriculture. Clarke returned to Kenya to manage the family ranch and married in 1965. His next move brought his family to the U.S. in 1977 and Clarke was employed by a venture capital group to manage a large ranch near Arcadia. He started his own agricultural management business and in 1988 Mr. Clarke joined Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, the developer of Lakewood Ranch, as president. Becoming CEO in 1996, he was an integral part of creating the vision to make Lakewood Ranch into what it is today. In addition, he had the vision to create the LWRCF, believing it was important to create a community that gives back. Clarke retired in 2006 and now enjoys family life with his wife Lorna, and his children and grandchildren.

The LWRCF Junior Humanitarian Award, established in 2023, rewards high schoolers based on their volunteer/service hours, leadership characteristics, and concern/care for the community along with their drive to give back. Cecile Visa, who attends Out-of-Door Academy, received the Junior Humanitarian of the Year award and was presented with her scholarship. Two other nominees, Danica Kovacevic and Kaitlyn Roman, were recognized and given scholarships as well.

Following the awards presentation, Toale introduced the 25th anniversary celebration mascot: a turtle atop a post, which signifies the many people who helped LWRCF get to where they are today. There is a naming contest for turtle with $25 entries that can be submitted through LWRCF.org. The winning name will be announced in mid-April, and the person whose name suggestion is chosen will received a $125 Visa gift card and a stuffed turtle.

For more information about LWRCF, visit www.LWRCF.org, email info@LWRCF.org, or call 941-208-6799.