Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties has set the date for its 2026 Champions for Children Gala: Saturday, November 21, at 6 p.m. at The Ora, 578 McIntosh Road in Sarasota. This year’s honorees are Louis and Gloria Flanzer, whose philanthropic trust has directed more than $35 million to local agencies through a matching program now extended through 2026.
The Flanzer name is already familiar in DeSoto County. Their trust provided the lead contribution for the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club in Arcadia, which completed a 10,000-square-foot expansion in 2023, giving kids there significantly more room for programs and activities. Gala proceeds support the Clubs’ work in academic success, character and leadership, healthy lifestyles, and career readiness across Sarasota and DeSoto counties.
The evening includes a reception, a three-course dinner by Michael’s On East, auctions, raffles, and performances by Club members. The Annette J. Hagens Memorial Foundation presents the event, and the dress code is cocktail attire with black tie optional. Individual tickets are $500, with sponsorship opportunities available; details are subject to change, so check with the organization before making plans. Which local cause would you most like to see a matching gift go toward?
