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GECKO’S GRILL & PUB’s 30th ANNIVERSARY PARTY RAISES RECORD SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR SARASOTA COUNTY 4-H FOUNDATION Contact Name: Anne Rollings Contact Email: office@geckoshospitality.com Contact Phone Number: 4045474100 The Gecko’s Hospitality Group family of restaurants has renewed its ongoing commitment as a Business Partner with the Sarasota County 4-H Clubs & Foundation, designating the 4-H Foundation scholarship fund as the direct beneficiary of donations raised during our 30th Anniversary BBQ and Party. Gecko’s co-owners, Michael Quillen & Mike Gowan awarded the check at a presentation ceremony at the Fruitville Gecko’s. “It is with the generosity and commitment of local business leaders like the Gecko’s Hospitality Group that allows the Sarasota County 4-H Foundation to fund the programming which helps children achieve their goals,” said Sarah Davis, University of Florida/IFAS Extension Agent with the local 4-H Foundation. “Since the values of the Gecko’s family of restaurants and the 4-H Clubs are closely aligned, building on our commitment was a natural fit,” said Quillen. “We are proud to support the pivotal experiences provided by the 4-H programs which build a foundation of leadership and skills for success in the future careers of children in our community. We believe that investing in 4-H serves to honor the agricultural legacy of the great State of Florida, which has provided the livestock and produce that feeds our citizens and visitors alike, and which offers our children the programs that help them develop the life skills so essential to helping them become good citizens.” The Gecko’s Hospitality Group has a long history of serving as Business Partners with dozens of schools in Sarasota and Manatee County, providing Super Student Free Meals to tens of thousands of elementary students and supporting untold numbers of philanthropies and charitable groups. Gecko’s was awarded the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation’s prestigious Restaurant Neighbor award for the entire United States in 2017. This honor recognizes outstanding restaurants around the country that go above and beyond in community service, and aims to inspire other restaurateurs to get or stay involved in their local communities. Gecko’s Hospitality Group is locally owned and operated and employs over 600 Floridians. Since 1992, Gecko’s Grill & Pub’s has created steady economic stimulus, generating thousands of first-time jobs and launching the careers of hospitality professionals. GHG has been consistently awarded “Best Of” in numerous categories and partners to serve countless schools and philanthropies. Gowan and Quillen’s Longboat Key gem, Dry Dock Waterfront Grill joined GHG in 2015 and in 2016, GHG welcomed Dockside Waterfront Grill in Venice to the GHG family. These nine restaurants along with the legendary tavern, Red Barn Bar, fortify the GHG’s mission to provide exceptional hospitality, fresh locally sourced fare with a gourmet twist and a menu that is accessible to everyone. 4-H is the nation’s largest positive youth development and youth mentoring organization, empowering six million young people in the U.S. In partnership with 110 universities, 4-H’s life changing programs are research-backed and available through 4-H clubs, camps, afterschool & school enrichment programs in every county & parish in the U.S. For more information: http://www.4-h.org/about/ For more information, please contact: office@geckoshospitality.com