Sarasota Military Academy, a local public charter school, recently received a $10,000 grant from the Gilbert Waters Charitable Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.
Waters, who passed in January 2018, was involved in revitalization efforts for the Sarasota community and contributed to local efforts and foundations, including Sarasota Military Academy. Through the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, the Yale graduate and Navy veteran planned to use his legacy to focus on and financially assist institutions and nonprofit organizations with a mission of creating positive impacts on the community and developing future leaders.
“There are many incredible ways to describe Gilbert Waters, a man who had a hand in many of the reasons Sarasota is so well-renown. Navy veteran, developer, fundraiser, volunteer, advocate, pillar of our community – these are just a few of the titles he held, and that list doesn’t begin to scratch the surface,” said SMA Colonel Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools. “We are indebted to Mr. Waters and his generous donation to Sarasota Military Academy. To be included in his legacy is a great honor, and one that will ensure our cadets continue his mission of improving our community and country.”
Gilbert Waters and his legacy included time spent as a reporter for the Sarasota Herald Tribune, owning his own public relations company and as a founder of what is now FCCI Insurance. In addition to a lengthy list of civic engagement roles, including a seat with the City Commission, the Volunteer Architects Downtown Improvement Committee, Waters was also instrumental in the development of the Ringling Bridge.
To learn more about the Gilbert Waters Charitable Fund, contact the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. To learn more about Sarasota Military Academy, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
About Sarasota Military Academy
Founded in 2002, Sarasota Military Academy (SMA) is a public charter school and college preparatory academy with two campuses located in Sarasota, Florida. Combining extraordinary academics with the highest military principles of camaraderie, focus, leadership, integrity, compassion, poise, honor and respect, SMA’s mission is to graduate young men and women who will confidently define their personal and unique goals for success in a multi-cultural and globalized world. Sarasota Military Academy High School is located at 801 N. Orange Avenue and Sarasota Military Academy Prep Middle School, is located at 3101 Bethel Lane. To learn more about SMA, visit http://www.sarasotamilitaryacademy.org/.
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PHOTO ID: Patricia Martin, Community Foundation of Sarasota County Director of Grants and Scholarships with SMA Colonel Christina Bowman, Sarasota Military Academy Executive Director of Schools
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