COMMUNITY

At Decor Direct, we take pride in our local community and strive to make improvements and contributions to it. Sarasota is already a great city, as evidenced by its ranking as one of the nations "Best Places to Live" by Money Magazine (check out the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce for other Sarasota accolades), and we feel that this is a direct result of citizens and local businesses taking initiatives to improve quality of life. Pictured below is just a snapshot of Decor Direct's involvement with the community, which includes health and human services, youth & education, animal services, as well as the arts.

Decor Direct was one of the sponsors for Team Manager Celeste's entry in the Bank of America Gasparilla Distance Classic Marathon in Feb. '07 for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Read about the fundraiser here.	Petey, Decor Direct's cool CCO, (Chief Canine Officer) was adopted from The Humane Society of Sarasota County.  Through our "Dogs for Dogs, Frankfurters for Felines" fundraiser, Petey has raised over $3000 for HSSC and other shelters in support of his dog and cat friends awaiting new homes.	Circus Sarasota, the not-for-profit performing arts educational organization, has been the beneficiary of donations of original art by Decor Direct that have fetched more than $1,000 at past Circus fundraisers. (Photo: Founder Dolly Jacobs)
Habitat for Humanity is building 72 homes for low-income families at "Jordan's Crossing" in Sarasota, and Decor Direct is proud to volunteer time and resources for this project. (Photo: Decor Direct team member Jeff Disch left with Supervisor)	Decor Direct proudly supports the "Police Unity Tour", and its annual bike ride from Florida to the National Law Enforcement Officer's Memorial in Washington DC to raise funds and awareness for this honor to officers' who have died in the line of duty.	AnySoldier is a not-for-profit which lets  US soldiers post their needs for equipment, supplies and letters, so that citizens can fulfill them.  After receiving supplies from Decor Direct, the Soldiers of 593D recently wrote "Thank you for your thoughts and prayers"
Pictured here is the adorable reading garden donated by the Friends of the  the Fruitville Public Library, which Decor Direct has supported with donations to their fundraising efforts.	Decor Direct has made multiple donations to support Sarasota's Childhood Enrichment Center, Inc. This non-profit seeks to raise awareness of autism, and provides support to families who couldn't otherwise afford it	Decor Direct has made several donations to Senior Friendship Centers, Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping older adults live with dignity and independence
Southeastern Guide Dogs, Inc. of Palmetto, FL is one of the few facilities in the US that trains guide dogs for the visually impaired.  Decor Direct is proud to support this organization.	Decor Direct has donated to The First Tee, a non-profit dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values.	Newtown Boys & Girls Club - Decor Direct donated gifts for the holidays for underprivileged children in the neighborhood.
Decor Direct has been one of the major sponsors for the Sarasota-Manatee Soap Box Derby, giving disadvantaged local youth the opportunity to compete for a slot at Nationals in Akron, OH	Decor Direct supports the local artists  community through arts events, Arts & Crafts fairs, and participation and membership in arts organizations such as the non-profit Sarasota Arts Council.	Decor Direct was a sponsor of the Gilligan's Island themed fundraiser "Shipwrecked", for Gulfcoast Legal Services, and also makes financial donations to help GLS provide free legal assistance to area residents