One World Award Gala


Honoring James Bollettieri and ORT

The Sarasota Sister Cities Association celebrates its second annual One World Award Gala on Wednesday, March 28, as our major fundraising event of the year. The $125 per person Gala will be at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. RSVP before March 23 to Sarasota Sister Cities Association Checks can be mailed to One World Gala, SSCA, 1615 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236. Those interested in Patron or Sponsor recognition should contact event Co-Chair Bill Wallace at  walljb@comcast.net


Honorary chairs for the 2012 are Robert and Diane Roskamp. Mr. Roskamp received the first One World Award last year for the worldwide research work of the Roskamp Institute in finding cures for Alzheimer’s Disease and other mental disorders. Co-chairs for this year’s event were Jane Thompson, owner of Thompson Resources, a consulting group specializing in commercial real estate asset management and Bill Wallace, who chaired the inaugural One World Award event in 2011.

Assisting were Nikki Taylor of Rock Solid Construction Group; author Jane Cirksena; Steven Klindt, of the Roskamp Institute; Morton “Woody” Wolverton, of Stifel Nicolas; and Kevin and Cheryl Ellerbrock — Kevin, a social media professional and Cheryl, an associate professor at the University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee. Representing SSCA were President Tom Halbert;and Gayle Maxey, SSCA event coordinator.

The selection panel was chaired this year by Sarasota Mayor Suzanne Atwell and included Fulton Lewis III,broadcast news commentator and lecturer; Dr. Sarah Pappas, president of the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation; Steve Queior, president and CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce; and James Shirley, executive director, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. Sponsors include the Roskamp Foundation, Woody and Sue Wolverton, Floridays Resort in Orlando and Thompson Resources.

Celebrating its 49th anniversary in 2012, the Sarasota Sister Cities Association has more than 150 members, “citizen diplomats” who create personal face-to-face exchanges with citizens of our eight Sister Cities across the world in the arts, business, education, civic activities,sports and government.


“This celebration honors a remarkable Sarasota organization or individual who has enhanced world understanding and respect through extraordinary work or volunteer service,” said SSCA President, Tom Halbert. This year’s honors are shared by Nicholas James Bollettieri and ORT America for the Gulf Coast Region.

Bollettieri, founder of Bollettieri Tennis Academy (now IMG Academies), has fostered exceptional international relationships through our area for individuals, families and communities throughout the world.  

http://www.imgacademies.com





ORT, the largest Jewish educational organization in the world, is devoted to educating and elevating disadvantaged children across the globe with skills needed to lead productive lives.


  http://www.ort.org