Community Events Planned As Part of Patterson Foundation's Legacy of Valor

The Patterson Foundation is looking to build relationships and partnerships within Sarasota in addition to building its $8 million Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery. 

The Sarasota-based philanthropic organization wants to get the Manatee County community involved by partnering for several events in the coming years called the Legacy of Valor campaign. Patterson unveiled its first phase of partners during a luncheon Friday afternoon.

The $8.3 million Patriot Plaza is a gift from the Patterson Foundation to enhance the Sarasota National Cemetery, and is poised to be open spring 2014. A $2 million public art project is also planned for Patriot Plaza. The Legacy of Valor campaign includes a $1 million commitment from Patterson. 

While the construction is going on, Patterson has selected 17 community events and programs that aim to achieve three themes: honor veterans, inspire patriotism and embrace freedom. 

"In January of this year, we started to meet with over 100 organizations, and we said, OK, in the next year we want to do those three things," said Debra Jacobs, president and chief executive of the Patterson Foundation. "We want to touch upon anyone in this region who wants to be touch, educated and involved."

The events range from a veterans-inspired Sarasota Chalk Festival, a series of films on veterans issues at the 2014 Sarasota Film Festival, the Ringling Museum of Art reaching into its Colville Collection to curate World War II photographs to the Habitat For Humanity chapters in Sarasota, South Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Charlotte working together to repair veterans' homes and to build homes for veterans as well.

Also for the first time ever, the Junior League of Manatee will partner with the Junior League of Sarasota to produce an event together. The all-women volunteer group will have a luncheon Nov. 7, at Dolphin Aviation with 100 percent of event proceeds benefiting support for veterans. The event showcases local, active military personnel and celebrates the service of all veterans. 

"They decided that they're going to do a joint fundraiser where all proceeds from their luncheon will go to serve veterans' organizations," Jacobs said.

The organizations didn't specifically design programs for the Legacy of Valor campaign, but had existing programs or had veterans initiative goals already, Jacobs said. The organizations just found out March 22 and have worked together to enhance programs and events, and each program is in a different stage of planning.  

"We want to create partnerships, and that's very important for Patterson," Jacobs said. "We don't give a check. We actually partner and play in the sandbox together to co-create things so we can bring our expertise and communications and thrivability to those collaborations." 

Additional phases of events are also planned, as a second phase is expected to be announce in June. In the additional phases, the Patterson Foundation will fill in the gaps of geography and genres to reach as many possible in the region, Jacobs said, as well as inspiring people to join the military. 

"We're going to take some of our time in the next year and educate people as to why you might want to consider serving your country," Jacobs said. 

Here are the events, organizations and partners, with tidbits about the events from Jacobs, and Legacy of Valor coordinators Alicia Chalmers and Linda Gould.

Legacy of Valor 

• La Musica | April 15, 2013

Veterans are invited to watch the video production of four musicians during the International Chamber Music Festival concert. Lunch will be provided for the veterans. Sarasota County Schools will share the taped performance with students.

"They're having a rehearsal where they are bringing veterans from all of the assisted living places in the region," Jacobs said. "If you're 92 and at the Pines, the bus will take you over to see the rehearsal."

In collaboration with Sarasota Military Academy

• Venice Museum and Archives | April-June 2013

“Kentucky Military Institute: Celebrating 37 years in Venice," is an exhibition that highlights local heroes from KMI. Objects on display include military uniforms, photographs, and memorabilia.

"It is the oldest military institute in the nation," said Chalmers. A reunion is also planned.

"The Kentucky Military Institute used to have its school here for part of its semester every year," Jacobs said.

In collaboration with Kentucky Military Institute Alumni Association

• Habitat for Humanity | April 2013-April 2014

Our region’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates will coordinate various veterans repair projects.

"Our five Habitats in our region are working together because they always work separately. They're going to do a vet rehab. For vets who live in a home and no longer have resources, this is the hands on, hands-up to renovate," Jacobs said.

A collaboration among Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, South Sarasota, Manatee, Desoto and Charlotte

• Military Officers Association of Sarasota | June 7-9 2013

Florida Council of Chapters Convention will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Sarasota. More than 300 members are expected to attend, and Military Officers Association organization has more than 10,000 members in Florida. The Patterson Foundation will be a part of this convention to help make Patriot Plaza to become a national initiative.

In collaboration with Military Officers Association of Venice, Sarasota Military Academy and Venice High JROTC

• Ringling Museum of Art | June-October 2013

“Witness to War,” an exhibition of WWII photographs from the Colville Collection and a Sunday film series at Historic Asolo Theater featuring classic war films. 

In collaboration with Blue Star Mothers and the Florida State University Institute on WWII

• Independence Day Celebration | July 4, 2013

Outdoor Independence Day concert on the Sarasota Bayfront/Church of the Redeemer.

"They're going to have a free concert for the community," Jacobs said. The concert will be at the Church of the Redeemer. Cell phones will be collected to provide to veterans, Chalmers said.

In collaboration with Jacobites Pipe and Drum Band and the First Brass of Sarasota

• North Port Visual and Performing Arts | September 2013-Spring 2014

A variety of performances and art shows that will highlight Legacy of Valor throughout North Port.

In collaboration with North Port Art Center, North Port Chorale, Soundsations and the North Port Concert Band

• Sarasota Military Academy | October-December 2013

Wreaths Across America places remembrance wreaths on every grave at Sarasota National Cemetery followed by a ceremony that takes place on Dec.14.

In collaboration with Blue Star Mothers

• Fruitville Elementary | November 2013

“Honor, Inspire, Embrace … Our American Heroes,” a school-wide, intergenerational event and have third graders interview seniors and veterans at Senior Friendship Centers to find out what freedom and being a veterans means to them, Chalmers said. Also planned is a musical program with 100 students and an Andy Warhol-inspired art exhibit at the Riverview High School auditorium.

In collaboration with Senior Friendship Centers

• Junior League Luncheon | Nov. 7, 2013

Luncheon at Dolphin Aviation with 100 percent of event proceeds benefiting support for veterans. The event showcases local, active military personnel and celebrates the service of all veterans. 

"They decided that they're going to do a joint fundraiser where all proceeds from their luncheon will go to serve veterans' organizations," Jacobs said. This is the first time the two Junior Leagues have worked together on an event.

In collaboration with Junior League of Sarasota and Junior League of Manatee

• Senior Friendship Centers | Nov. 11-13, 2013

Multiple events honoring veterans during Veterans Day week.

Swing music, a USO tour-style event a bus tour to Sarasota National Cemetery, a soldier wall to write messages to soldiers are just a few examples of the many events planned, Gould said.

In collaboration with Girl Scouts, Girls Inc., Sarasota County Schools and Libraries, Sarasota Military Academy, Hawks Flight Farm, Sarasota RC Squadron, R.L. Taylor Community Complex, Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

• Salute to Veterans Concert | Nov. 11, 2013

Public patriotic concert where veterans will be admitted with a guest at no cost.Tickets are $5 per person for all others.

In collaboration with Venice Concert Band and Exsultate Choral Group

• Chalk Festival | Nov. 13-18, 2013

Multi-generational street art festival with a Legacy of Valor theme.

Most artists will be American in this year's Chalk Festival, and will also have a Statue of Liberty sculpture, a remembrance area, and will also work with veterans' artist groups, Chalmers said.

In collaboration with multiple community partners

• Circus Sarasota | December 2013 & February 2014

Legacy of Valor will be the theme for both Circus Sarasota and the Sailor Circus.

In collaboration with Sarasota Military Academy and multiple community partners

• Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall | 2013-2014 Season

Military Access Program

Families who currently have a family member serving in the military will be able to come to a concert at no cost within the next season.

In collaboration with Van Wezel Foundation and Military Officers Association of Sarasota

• Military Officers Association of Sarasota| 2013-2014

Flag protocol and retirement lessons will be provided in a more robust manner and curriculum, Gould said.

In collaboration with Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Sarasota Military Academy, Sarasota County Schools

• Sarasota Film Festival| April 4-13, 2014

“Acts of Valor,” a film series focusing on American servicemen and women in conjunction with the New York Comedy Festival and Stand Up For Heroes.

In collaboration with Sarasota Opera House and Sunshine from Darkness—an organization that helps veterans deal with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.