April 23, 2014
MEDIA CONTACT
Janna Overstreet §941-359-4296 § [email protected]
Lifelong Learning Academy
“Goes Social” with its 2014 “Giving Partner Challenge”
May 6, 4-6 p.m. § USF Sarasota-Manatee
Lifelong Learning Academy’s creative marketing promotion for this year’s Giving Partner Challenge includes a free
get-together for the public. Funds raised during the challenge will go towards technology upgrades and faculty honorarium.
(Sarasota, FL) Lifelong Learning Academy (LLA) is making a party of the 2014 “Giving Partner Challenge” with a free “Giving Partner Social,” May 6, 4-6 p.m., in Selby Auditorium on the campus of USF Sarasota-Manatee, 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. The public is invited to join LLA staff and faculty for snacks, beverages, socializing, Facebook training and assistance with online donations. This initiative was developed for the 2014 Giving Challenge, a 24-hour online fundraising event benefiting several area nonprofits. Hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s online tool, the Giving Partner, the Giving Challenge takes place May 5-6, noon to noon. Donors can make pledges online at www.GivingPartnerChallenge.org.
“We’re thrilled to be hosting this social as part of this year’s Giving Challenge,” says Janna Overstreet, executive director of the Lifelong Learning Academy. “Not only will it be educational and fun, it will also be a great way to celebrate our accomplishments while raising funds for our future.”
Overstreet adds that, according to the census bureau, “our target audience will double by the year 2020. And we plan to be ready for them.”
While LLA continues to develop big-picture planning for the future, Overstreet notes that every penny donated during the Giving Challenge benefits LLA programs now. For example, $75 buys a portable point-clicker for an instructor; $150 buys a lapel microphone; and $25 buys a teacher’s parking permit. A $1,000 donation funds one of LLA’s popular free community lectures.
Additional incentives for this year’s Giving Challenge include incentive dollars for every person who visits LLA’s Giving Partner Profile page, and a “Director’s Challenge,” with Overstreet matching the first 15 donations of $25 in recognition of the Academy’s 15th anniversary.Overstreet invites donors to set up their own internal challenge—to honor someone, celebrate a special event, or generally encourage participation.
“Education that lasts a lifetime is both my profession and my passion,” says Overstreet. “Studies show that lifelong learning helps create a positive aging experience, boosting health and longevity and increasing the overall sense of joie de vivre. Our students experience lively discussions promoting personal growth and social engagement. It’s a true meeting of the minds.” For more information, call 941-359-4296.
To view Lifelong Learning Academy’s Giving Partner profile, visit www.thegivingpartner.guidestar.org and type in “Lifelong Learning Academy” under the “Find Non-profit” tab. For more information about Lifelong Learning Academy and to see video logs taped by LLA students and instructors, visit LLA’s Facebook and YouTube pages or visit www.lla-sm.org.
About the Lifelong Learning Academy
The Lifelong Learning Academy was born of an idea to establish a non-credit senior academy serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. Since 2009, enrollment has grown from 1,109 to more than 3,100 students attending year-round classes held at USF Sarasota-Manatee and at satellite locations throughout the two counties. Another 2,300 people have attended additional free lectures and special events. The non-profit organization’s mission is to enrich the lives of mature adults in Sarasota and Manatee counties by providing affordable and outstanding educational programs that cover a broad spectrum of topics and are rich in intellectual stimulation, often interactive in scope and worthy of academic consideration. The Academy offers more than 200 year-round courses on the USFSM campus, at 8350 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. In 2014, the summer term runs June 2-July 24. Summer courses last from two days to eight weeks. For more information about the Lifelong Learning Academy, call 941-359-4296 or visit www.lla-sm.org.
