by Robin Hartill | City Editor
Volunteer work runs in family Fanny Younger is following in her mother, Blanca Di Cecco’s, footsteps as a volunteer at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. Fanny Younger and her mother, Blanca Di Cecco, have volunteered more than 10,000 hours combined at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. That’s the equivalent of at least five years of full-time, 40-hour-a-week work. It means that mother and daughter, both from Longboat Key, have spent more hours volunteering than the 8,760 hours there are in an entire year. Younger, 56, has a pin that recognizes her 1,000 hours of service over the past five years. It will take her a long time to catch up to Di Cecco, 83, who has volunteered since 1991 at the hospital and received a 9,000hour pin in September. Already, Younger is following in her mother’s footsteps: Oct. 17, she received the hospital’s “President Award” for her volunteer work, an honor Di Cecco has also received. Di Cecco was a longtime volunteer at Southside Hospital in Long Island, N.Y. At age 14, Younger joined her as a candy striper. When Di Cecco retired in 1991, she began volunteering at Sarasota Memorial because she needed something to get her out of the house. More than a decade-anda-half later, Younger began volunteering at the hospital in 2007, shortly after her own retirement. Both Younger and Di Cecco say that many people believe that hospital volunteer work consists of nothing more than delivering flowers. Both know better. Di Cecco volunteers at the Waldemere Desk doing dispatch work, but that’s not all. A few years ago, hospital workers noticed that patients were often forced to put their eyeglasses in shoes because they didn’t bring a case and asked for suggestions. Di
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Blanca Di Cecco and her daughter, Fanny Younger, sport the smocks they wear while volunteering at Sarasota Memorial Hospital.
Cecco began sewing cases out of scrap fabric to meet the need. She now sews as many as 600 cases per month. Di Cecco, a Puerto Rico native, also helps out whenever the hospital needs a Spanish translator. Younger volunteers running whatever errands are needed in the dispatch office, while also chairing the hospital’s teenage volunteer program. Both women see how the little things make a big difference to patients, such as showing a lost visitor to the room they’re looking for instead of pointing out directions. Younger hopes that she, like her mother, will be healthy enough to follow in her mother’s footsteps to 9,000 hours and beyond. But 9,000 hours isn’t a stopping point for Di Cecco. “As long as I can walk, I’ll volunteer,” she said.
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Thank you, Michael
On behalf of all of the members of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, we extend our sincerest and deepest gratitude to michael Welly for his self-less dedication to and vision for the betterment of Greater Sarasota-Manatee counties, Longboat Key, the Longboat Key Club and Resort and the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce. In the more than 50-year history of the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce, few members have distinguished themselves as did Michael with his generosity. We all agree: When it came to community service and charitable giving, none of us can ever remember when Michael said “no.” He was always there — giving. In fact, were it not for Michael Welly, the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce likely would not exist today. He helped us through difficult times. And throughout his eight-year tenure on Longboat Key, Michael never, ever sought recognition for himself. He epitomized the humble, servant leader.
Michael Welly Lynn Weddington Welly
• Upgraded and renovated with unit owners all Inn on the Beach units and common areas. • Built and led a fabulous team of associates. • Renovated the Harbourside golf courses. • Constructed the award-winning Longboat Key Tennis Gardens. • Consolidated Longboat Key Moorings as part of the club and resort. • Opened Portofino and the Tavern and Whiskey Bar restaurants. • Was a guiding force in bringing to the Key the Sarasota Open and Longboat Key Triathlon. • Obtained Town Commission approval to renovate and expand the club and resort.
We will not forget Michael. We will carry on his legacy — a vision and commitment to leave Longboat Key better tomorrow than it is today.
Board of Directors Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce Tom Aposporos Robbie Ball Juan Florensa Bob Gault Joe Landolfi Dr. Pamela Letts
David Miller Asima Palmer Yvonne Schloss Jim Seaton Sr. Jim Seaton Jr. Matt Walsh 94921
WELLY’S KEY accompLiShmEntS
We are deeply saddened that Michael and his new bride, Lynn Weddington Welly, will be leaving Longboat Key. They will be sorely missed.