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Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County STAR Leadership Training Program hosts tool drive for local nonprofits Contact Name: Sara Bealor Contact Email: sbealor@bgcsarasota.com Contact Phone Number: 941-366-3911 Local high school students in the STAR (Students Taking Active Roles) Leadership Training Program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County will be collecting tools for SRQ Vets and Habitat for Humanity Sarasota at various businesses throughout Sarasota from July 8 through July 22. STAR Leadership Training is a 65-hour leadership development curriculum that targets high school students and focuses on active citizenship, roles and responsibilities of civic engagement and understanding local government. The program connects youth to local leadership opportunities while giving them a voice to make a difference in their community, find ways to contribute their talent to the greater good and aspire to be life-long agents of social change. Throughout the program, teens participate in team-building exercises, problem-solving challenges, tours of County facilities and a community-service project. This tool drive, called “Tools for Tomorrow,” is the current STAR class’ community service project. “Our STAR class is motivated to help local causes that empower individuals,” said Jorge H., a 16-year-old senior at Riverview High School and current STAR participant. “We’re proud to collaborate with SRQ Vets, Habitat for Humanity Sarasota, local businesses and our community to make meaningful, lasting change in the lives of deserving veterans and families across Sarasota.” The students are asking members of the community to donate gently used tools including power tools, gardening equipment, saws, hammers, safety goggles and more, to one of the following participating locations with “Tools for Tomorrow” collection boxes: • Lowe’s (5750 Fruitville Road) • Lowe’s (4020 Central Sarasota Pkwy) • Wal-Mart (4381 Cattlemen Road) For more information, visit bgcsarasota.com or call 941-366-3911. ABOUT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA COUNTY: Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County has been a leading youth-serving organization in Sarasota County and its surrounding area since 1970, and provides enriching after-school and summer programs to thousands of youth, ages 6 to 18, in Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Arcadia. The organization’s mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need services the most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The programs are designed to empower youth to excel in school, become leaders, adopt healthy habits and create plans for success after high school graduation. For more information, visit bgcsarasota.com or call 941-366-3911. ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SARASOTA: Habitat for Humanity Sarasota is the leading organization that provides permanent, affordable housing to income-qualified families in Sarasota. By serving qualified homeowners with an affordable mortgage, we help families achieve housing stability and improve their living conditions. Habitat Sarasota’s operating expenses are funded by the ReStore through sales of gently used furniture and home improvement materials, allowing financial contributions to go directly toward serving families. Habitat Sarasota leverages our resources with community partners, collaborations and volunteers to keep our homes affordable. Habitat Sarasota is building Hammock Place, a 40-home neighborhood that is the first of its kind in this area. To support Lives Transformed: The Campaign for Hammock Place, visit www.habitatsrq.org. Together, we build.