For Immediate Release
Contact: April Glasco
Phone: (941) 360-8660
E-mail: aprilglasco@yahoo.com
Willis A. Smith Plays Santa To Local Non Profit
Second Chance-Last Opportunity will be home for the holidays
December 8, 2008 (Sarasota, FL) – Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. and The ADP Group of Sarasota have announced a powerful collaboration that will provide a home for a local non-profit, just in time for the holidays. Second Chance-Last Opportunity, the non-profit agency that has provided a hand up to low-income families in Sarasota and Manatee Counties since 1995, has itself been homeless since early June when a car crashed into their facility, rendering it in danger of collapse. Although the organization’s life skills classes and youth programs have continued regardless through partnerships with other organizations and the drive of Founder and CEO, April Glasco, the residents of Newtown and beyond have sorely missed the drop-in center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way, a facility that has been both a safety net and beacon of light in Newtown for 13 years.
“The role SCLO plays in the community is too valuable; we couldn’t allow this organization to remain displaced. The people here at Willis A. Smith and our friends at the ADP Group are grateful for the opportunity and the means to be able to rebuild this organization’s home as a first step. We understand that a building is more than bricks and beams, to the people of Newtown this building represents hope and we are privileged to offer our help,” says David Sessions, President of Willis A. Smith Construction. Construction for the rebuild begins this week and represents phase one of the collaboration with SCLO on its building campaign.
“The great heart and generosity of Willis A. Smith Construction and The ADP Group in donating all services of phase one will allow us to resume providing classes and assistance to the struggling families in our community, whilst continuing to fundraise for a new, expanded facility.” says April Glasco, Founder and CEO of Second Chance Last Opportunity.
In support of Phase 2 of the reconstruction, an anonymous donor has offered up to $50,000 to the new Building Fund, issuing a challenge to the generous people of Sarasota to match that donation. Contributions, large and small, will now go towards meeting that match, and we’re encouraging other businesses, organizations, and churches to join Willis A. Smith and The ADP Group in this partnership.
Other opportunities to contribute to the Phase 2 Building Campaign include the purchase of a purple brick ($100) to be included in the paving of the courtyard waiting area. Contact 360-8660 for more information on the Building Campaign. Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Second Chance-Last Opportunity, P.O. Box 1048, Sarasota, FL 34230.
Second Chance-Last Opportunity (SCLO) is a 501 © 3 grass-roots organization that, for over 13 years, has been the only agency in Newtown offering life management skills classes to at-risk teens and their low income and/or homeless families.
The non-profit agency holds the view that in order to make a permanent change, the disadvantaged in our community must be given the opportunity to learn to be self-sufficient. SCLO provides them with the tools, guidance, and the opportunity they need to make a better life for themselves and their families.
Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. is a Sarasota based construction firm primarily serving Southwest Florida since 1972. As the oldest construction firm in Sarasota, the company enjoys an excellent reputation with a solid background in commercial, industrial, educational, healthcare, museum as well as working with numerous not-for-profit organizations such as The Wellness Community, TideWell Hospice and Children’s First. The company is also an advocate and a leader in ‘green’ construction and ten LEED Accredited Professionals (green building experts) on staff. They have also started construction on a new sustainable headquarters in Lakewood Ranch that will be completed by the end of December 2008. For additional information, contact Willis A. Smith Construction, Inc. at 941-366-3116 or via e-mail at HYPERLINK “mailto:elipoff@willissmith.com” elipoff@willissmith.com.