About Us
The All-Star Children's Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization.
Our Vision:
We imagine a world where all children are safe from abuse.
Our Mission:
End child abuse in our community, because it should never hurt to be a child.
Our History:
The All-Star Children's Foundation was founded in 2005 under the name of the Sarasota Sports Foundation as a local, grass-roots effort to help prevent and treat child abuse, neglect and abandonment. Local support grew rapidly as the Foundation raised money and awareness with the use of celebrity golf and tennis tournaments at the beautiful Longboat Key Club. Our generous community rose to the challenge! It soon became apparent to founding members like Graci McGillicuddy, Tom Cail, Scott Libertore, Michael Welley, Jennie Famiglio, Greg Band and Matt Drews that the organization's mission was not being properly reflected in its name. In 2007 we became the All-Star Children's Foundation.
Over the years the Foundation has awarded more than 2 million dollars in grants to fund programs to agencies who are committed to our mission such as the Child Protection Center, The Florida Center for Child and Family Development, Guardian Ad Litem, Girls Inc., Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, the Hugs Program at The Humane Society and SMART.
Graci McGillicuddy, our chairperson and one of the founding members, has made ending the cycle of child abuse her life's mission. Actively involved with the prevention of child abuse for over 20 years, McGillicuddy has dedicated herself to making the All-Star Children's Foundation a huge success. She has donated over $1 million to Sarasota's Child Protection Center and has been appointed to the Florida Governor's Child Abuse and Prevention and Permanence Advisory Council.
Although the Foundation has been very active during this economic downturn by donating and helping raise funds for the Child Advocacy Center, the new home of the Child Protection Center and by continuing to give grants to worthy organizations, the board has come to realize that our mission must evolve and grow. Although current modalities are well meaning and, in some cases effective, child abuse remains a silent but deadly epidemic. It is the leading cause of death in children 4 and under, with over 1800 children dying each year from abuse and tens of thousands more suffering permanent damage from the traumatic effects of abuse.
Therefore, the All-Star Children's Foundation is now committed to expanding its mission to include the development and implementation of new paradigms in the treatment and prevention of abuse. We will be utilizing the latest scientific behavioral knowledge and technology as well as drawing on the "best practices" in the field from around the world. It is critical, that going forward, we help create and establish effective methodologies to heal the very real mental health problems that arise from the trauma experienced by the innocent victims of child abuse. We are and will remain committed to breaking the cycle of abuse in order to protect the most vulnerable among us, those who have no voice of their own.
Today, the All-Star Children's Foundation's Board of Directors, staff and volunteers continue to increase public awareness of child abuse, expand the foundation's fundraising efforts and advocate for laws that protect children by being a valuable resource to local and national lawmakers.
Please join us in making the world a safe place for our children.
"It should never hurt to be a child!"
Spirit of Service
The All-Star Children's Foundation is pleased and proud to announce that Graci McGillicuddy, our board chair, has been awarded the Florida Senate's "Spirit of Service" Award! This is the highest honor bestowed on civilians by the Florida Senate. The award was created to recognize Florida's "unsung heroes", those who, through their acts of service, preserve America's long-standing tradition and commitment to volunteerism and make Florida a better state.
Founding Sponsor
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to one of our Founding Sponsors, the Longboat Key Club & Resort. Their financial, emotional and volunteer support since the Foundation's inception has been amazing. They are truly making a difference in the lives of many children!
