DONOR PROFILES
GIVING IS A “FAMILY BUSINESS” If you want to hitch a ride to a place where caring and sharing prevail, get on board with Annette and Tom Dignam of Englewood. This altruistic couple has made philanthropy synonymous with the Dignam family name. After decades of service to others, the two are still tireless givers of time and resources embodying a legacy of community involvement handed down to them from their parents.
It’s no surprise their two children, Leslie and David, have become philanthropists in their own right. For the Dignams, community is family. “Like a father takes care of his family, we need to take care of our community,” explains Tom. A team in life as in their outreach, they take part in numerous and diverse philanthropic endeavors, making generous donations to various causes as well as working together to gain support from others.
It’s all about hard work and being proactive. “This community needs people that ‘do.’” said Annette. Among her favorite causes is MCC’s Foundation, for which she serves as one of the Board’s directors.
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A Master Plan for Building “Community” For Rex Jensen, president and chief executive officer of Schroeder-Manatee Ranch, Inc. (SMR), supporting MCC is part of his commitment to building a strong future for the Sarasota-Manatee area. SMR is “building a community. We partner with others who have ‘community’ in their mission,” explains Rex. To be partners, “we must share the same ‘genetic code.’” By Rex’s standards, the partnership with MCC is ideal. “There is no better ‘turnstile’ through which to have a favorable and lasting effect upon the community than its educational system.” A well-respected leader and opinion maker in the business world and his community, Rex has lent his name and support to MCC. Recently he shepherded a proposal to contribute another five acres of land to MCC to build a second 40,000 square foot facility at the Lakewood Ranch site. In addition, Rex has lent his name and support to the Foundation’s annual signature event, Evening Under the Stars.
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Inspiring a Sense of “Hey! I Can!”
General Raymond Mason, Jr. and his wife, Margaret, set up a family foundation; the primary purpose was to provide for education. “We like to help kids get ahead and help them see another part of life,” explains General Mason. “We like to help people improve themselves.”
The Mason’s family foundation has contributed to MCC’s Summer Bridge Program, a summer program for high school graduates, designed to prepare the students – each being the first in their family to attend college – for the collegiate experience. Many Summer Bridge participants would not be going to college without the benefit and encouragement of the Summer Bridge Program.
“We want to help people help themselves, and we only give to organizations that accomplish that,” says General Mason. “We don’t just give money away. The Summer Bridge Program is a great way to start a college career, and MCC is a great way to start college.”
The Mason began vacationing in the Sarasota area with their children in 1954. They bought a condominium in Venice, where they lived for many years, until they purchased a home in Osprey. The have witnessed the community’s perception of MCC change over time, and they themselves have noted the many developments and improvements in MCC’s contribution to the community – this is not the Mason’s first contribution to MCC, nor will it be their last.
“There are a lot of people who have been successful, but they just throw their money away,” laments Mrs. Mason. “We believe you have got to help other people and give them an extra boost. You’ve got to give them a sense of ‘Hey! I can!’”
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Music to Their Ears
Their gift is the perfect merger of her passion for music and his priority for learning and education. Georgia and Mike Miller, owners of The Waterford Companies, a development and real estate company based in Venice, conceived of a perfect gift for MCC – a permanent outdoor pavilion on the College’s Venice campus. Not only will the pavilion provide the region with a new event venue, it will reposition the center of the MCC Venice campus in accordance with the campus’ planned expansions.
It’s the natural extension of the Millers’ previous contributions to MCC Venice – 20 years ago, they helped start MCC Venice’s signature event, Evening Under the Stars, an outdoor symphony performance at the MCC Venice campus. The music pavilion will provide a permanent location for that event, as well as classes, concerts, and a variety of other performances.
“This pavilion will bring people to the College, “says Mike, who began his own education at a community college. “Once people are familiar with the College, they might enroll or tell others about the opportunities MCC provides. MCC is a great stepping stone for people at all different walks of life. We wanted to do something that, over time, would keep people coming to the College, year after year.”
Georgia explains why they have such an affinity for MCC: “MCC is different from other colleges because of the wide range of people it touches. It’s great to see a young person graduate from college. But it is a whole other experience to see people get their degrees when they are 40 years old and they have worked and raised children. MCC gives people the chance to recreate themselves after they’ve lived one life. People who go to MCC tend to stay here, work here and raise families here – that’s good for our community.”“Ultimately, what comes around, goes around,” adds Mike. “Many people have helped me along the way. Maybe I can’t help them back, but I can help others.”
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GIVEN WINGS TO FLY John Schaub is an impressive guy. This nationally recognized real estate investor and guru has authored best-selling real estate investment books and teaches seminars across the country. Notably, he began his education at Manatee Community College. “After graduating from Manatee High School, Manatee Junior College (as MCC was then called) was a way for me to continue my education,” says Schaub, still a Gulf Coast resident. “Going straight to the University of Florida was not an option.” Schaub entered MCC with plans to study political science, but an engaging accounting class turned him on to business. “I picked up study skills that allowed me to finish a four year degree,” he recalls. After graduating from MCC, he did move on to Florida, where he graduated with a degree in business administration.
Today, despite a busy schedule, a thriving business, a new book out and three kids in college, Schaub has made the time to contribute to MCC as vice-president of the MCC Foundation Board. Schaub and his wife, Valerie, an attorney he met at a real estate closing more than 27 years ago, have made a generous financial contribution as well, giving to both the Music/Theater building renovation initiative and the new Medical Technology & Simulation Center planned for Lakewood Ranch. “MCC is a great investment in our community, and I know our contributions are put to good use,” says Schaub. “MCC provides education to many who are the first in their family to receive a formal education. This breaks the cycle of intellectual poverty and their children are more likely to acquire a higher level of education, making our community more prosperous and better able to focus on a higher good.”
John has even shared one of his favorite pastimes – flying – with former Summer Bridge program participant, Cruz Marez, currently in the MCC nursing program. Schaub has sponsored several presentations about MCC at local businesses; Marez, who was working two jobs while attending MCC at the time, participated in one of those presentations. Cruz mentioned that he wanted to learn to fly, so Schaub took Cruz for a flight in his own plane to encourage him and get to know him. “It was an exciting experience,” recalls Marez. “Mr. Schaub took an interest in me and really encouraged me to succeed and follow my dreams.
