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Special Day Foundation Caring One Special Day At A Time

The Special Day Foundation

Creating an atmosphere for people to define their own special day

By Kacey C. Krznaric

The Special Day Foundation (SDF), based in Sarasota, Florida is an organization established in 2008, providing a very eclectic mélange of services for the often overlooked population of Southwest Gulf Coast Floridians with special needs. SDF is unique in that they offer a seemingly dissimilar combination of services for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, coupling outdoor adventures like boating and fishing activities with securing and funding good quality dental healthcare with experienced dental professionals.

On the surface, the two services might not seem like a likely pairing as it is not common for a nonprofit organization to offer both recreational activities, as well as therapeutic and/or restorative dental procedures for a select demographic of the population. However, then-researching consultant Rene Burke, was asked by a group of philanthropic citizens to perform extensive studies on the specific needs of this target population in the Southwest Gulf Coast Florida area. Surprisingly, her findings exhibited a lack of recreational and social activities and a significant shortage in both funding and accessibility to dental professionals equipped to handle some of the more complex cases that exist among the intellectually and developmentally disabled population. Burke presented her research findings, proposal, and complete business plan to the group, signifying the inception of the SDF and her appointment as the Foundation Director, directing and managing SDF on behalf of the Board of Directors.

As the Special Day Foundation began reaching out to the community and establishing their presence in the area, they had the opportunity to partner with the University of Florida’s Dental School and Mount Sinai Medical Center to work toward the common goal of providing preventive dental care and improving oral functionality among this disadvantaged group where dental care is often overlooked. SDF Board member Randy Lyon has a special appreciation for the work the UF Dental School does for their patients. “It was a very fulfilling moment to be able to speak at the Dental School, thanking them for the work they do and presenting them with a check to express our gratitude,” recounts Lyon of his speech at the UF Dental School graduation ceremony.

While Lyon is able to use his real-estate business connections to advance the work of SDF, he is able to network socially toward SDF’s future goal of implementing some major fundraising events. In addition, while Burke is able to use her nursing background to manage the medical complexities that go along with securing specialized dental healthcare for the patients that receive these benefits from the Foundation, she also has the opportunity to participate in the recreational activities provided by SDF. One of her most fond memories came from a boating/adaptive fishing expedition where one of the participants was thrilled to just put her hand in the bait bucket. “She was so excited and energetic to be there,” says Burke, “I knew it was a very proud and meaningful moment for not only her, but her family as well.”