Brunch on the Bay at USF Sarasota-Manatee to celebrate Community Leadership and Scholarship

SARASOTA, FL (September 25, 2009) – On Sunday, November 8 the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee will celebrate the 17th annual Brunch on the Bay, one of the area’s most highly touted events.

Brunch on the Bay was established in 1994 as a signature event to build community awareness and to raise scholarship dollars. The gathering annually attracts about a thousand supporters from Sarasota and Manatee Counties and has inspired more than $2.5 million in endowed scholarships. In 2008, 301 donors contributed a net of over $183,000, which when combined with the State Match brought a total of $302,000 new dollars for higher education in our community.

“Brunch on the Bay is such an important event to help raise scholarship dollars for students in Sarasota and Manatee Counties,” said Chris Pfahler, this year’s Brunch Chair. “This event always sells out, but we still have a few openings for guests to come celebrate leadership and scholarship in our community.”

This year guests will be treated to delicious dishes prepared by the area’s top chefs including newcomers Mar Vista, Cosimo’s Brick Oven and the Ritz Carlton and favorites such as Marina Jacks, Michaels on East, Mattison’s, and many others. The event will be held at the historic Powel Crosley Estate on Sarasota Bay.

For additional information on Brunch on the Bay, call Barbara Lewis at (941) 359-4737 or visit www.sarasota.usf.edu/bob.