Smith Brown Community Foundation

08/22/2025

Congrats to our co-founder, a true champion for DeSoto youth!

🎉 Celebrating a True Bulldog Spirit! 🎉

The DeSoto County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce that Richard Bowers has been selected as the recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award! 🏆

Richard has dedicated his life to serving DeSoto County with passion, integrity, and heart. From his involvement in our schools to his true Bulldog spirit, Richard has always gone above and beyond to support our community and inspire the next generation. 💙🐾

Join us as we honor Richard at the Fourth Annual Crews Bank & Trust Chamber Ball: A Night in Monte Carlo on Saturday, October 4th at the Turner Agri-Civic Center. This is your chance to see him recognized in front of the community he has poured so much into.

Award sponsored by: Berg, Brewer, Kessler & Mowry PLLC J Cole Brewer, P.A. Thank you!

🎟️ Tickets are on sale now — don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate Richard, show your Bulldog pride, and enjoy an unforgettable evening of elegance, awards, and community spirit.

👉 https://desotochamberfl.com/events/

02/04/2025

🌟Coach Richard Bowers is a living legend in our community. He is currently 90 years old and a graduate of Florida A & M University. He moved to DeSoto county with his wife and young family in 1959 where he taught at Smith Brown school. In 1964 he joined the staff at Desoto County High School becoming the school’s first black teacher and coach. He along with his lovely wife of 70 years Mrs. Martha have been a staple in this community. He broke many barriers with determination and grit. DeSoto County is better because of him!

We are , all for kids.

🌟El entrenador Richard Bowers es una leyenda viva en nuestra comunidad. Actualmente tiene 90 años y es graduado de Florida A&M University. Se mudó al condado de DeSoto con su esposa y su joven familia en 1959, donde enseñó en la escuela Smith Brown. En 1964 se unió al personal de la escuela secundaria del condado de Desoto y se convirtió en el primer maestro y entrenador negro de la escuela. Él, junto con su encantadora esposa durante 70 años, la Sra. Martha, han sido un elemento básico en esta comunidad. Rompió muchas barreras con determinación y determinación. ¡El condado de DeSoto es mejor gracias a él!

Somos , todo por los niños.

03/06/2024

🥳🎂🎈

10/02/2023

We were excited to attend the ribbon cutting for the newest building at the Louis & Gloria Flanzer Boys & Girls Club (Smith Brown Campus) in DeSoto. It was nearly 10 years ago that the Smith Brown Project was started after Coach Richard Bowers shared his dream for the Smith Brown Gym to once again be a resource for DeSoto kids. What a dream fulfilled with this gorgeous facility that has an art room, technology room, a commercial kitchen and more!

There are way too many people to individually thank, but we would like want to recognize all of the advocates of this initiative, the volunteers of the Smith Brown Project Steering Committee, the DeSoto community who never gave up on this project and the many donors who have helped make it a reality. Thank you to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties and its staff for taking over the reins of the project nearly 5 years ago and providing this much needed programming for DeSoto kids.

09/20/2023

There will be over 40 organizations at the Resource Fair for the DeSoto "Solutions to Actions" Dive Into Discovery event on October 10th. Below are some of the vendors who will be sharing about their resources. This event will also feature a free dinner and a community update program. Be sure to RSVP at bit.ly/DiveIntoDiscovery.

The Patterson Foundation
All Faiths Food Bank
Arcadia, Florida Garden Club
Arcadia Rotary Club Dist 6960
Aspirations to Actions
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast-DeSoto County
DeSoto County Sheriff's Office
William G. and Marie Selby Foundation
MCR Health
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties
Centerstone
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc.
Desoto Cares Homeless Services
DeSoto County Fair Association
DeSoto County Historical Society
DeSoto County Library
DeSoto Memorial Hospital
Drug-Free DeSoto Coalition
First 1000 Days Suncoast
Empath Tidewell Hospice
Florida Rural Legal Services, Inc.
Goodwill Manasota
Health Planning Council of SWFL
The Florida Center for Early Childhood
KingCretot Experience
Manatee County Rural Health Services
Molina Healthcare of Florida
Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay
SPARCC Sarasota
Strolling 4 A Cure
Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
To***co Free Partnership of DeSoto County

09/14/2023

Have you registered for the DeSoto "Solutions to Actions" Dive Into Discovery Community Update Dinner yet? This free event is being catered by locals including Team Lippy's BBQ, ᒪᒪᑕ and El Charro Authentic Mexican Food. Everyone is welcome! FREE food, FREE Resource Fair and more! RSVP Here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc1BHdzqAZTvj1HLOp1DuldbszBVI3wxgkl_14iDqKSgfO-XQ/viewform

United Way Suncoast
The Patterson Foundation
DeSoto County, FL
DeSoto County School District
DeSoto County Library
Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading
Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice, Inc.
Arcadia, Florida Garden Club
McSwain Cultural Arts & Learning Center
Team Arcadia
DeSoto County Historical Society

08/15/2023

FARM SHARE 🌽🥕🥒🍠
This Saturday August 19th!
Drive Thru Only 🚗🚕🛻
9AM till supplies run out!

07/04/2023