The Tidewell Foundation Partners with BSWANKY to Launch Luxury Handbag Line Supporting Children’s Grief Services.

Tidewell Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce a brand partnership with BSWANKY, a Sarasota-based, artisan handbag atelier founded by Gretchen Bauer.  As part of this partnership, BSWANKY has created the Sofita Mariposa handbag collection, a line of hand-painted, artist leather handbags designed to amplify the mission of the Tidewell Foundation.

Inspired by the stories of the children and families who are part of the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Centers, Gretchen Bauer reached out to artist Cherie Fruehan who donated her services to hand-paint each exquisite one-of-a-kind handbag to represent the Blue Butterfly program. Fifteen percent of the total sale of each Mariposa handbag and one hundred percent of the total sale of each Sapphire Mariposa BSWANKY keychain will be donated to the Tidewell Foundation, funding the Blue Butterfly Family Grief Centers and programs.

“At BSWANKY, we empower people through fashion, whether they are the women handcrafting or carrying our luxury handbags or the community we give back to with initiatives like Compassion, It’s In The Bag.”— Gretchen Bauer

Recently included in the PURSEonality: A Stylish Handbag History exhibit curated by Ilene Wood, the Sofita Mariposa collection, along with three other BSWANKY handbags will be on display at the Historic Bethlehem Museum. PURSEonality: A Stylish Handbag History will travel to Florida’s Coral Gables Museum this fall. The Sofita Mariposa is a work of art that gives back.

The Sofita Mariposa handbag collection was launched on Tuesday, August 25.

This handbag is a chic travel companion, with the superb craftsmanship and appeal only from BSWANKY!

“We are so grateful to Gretchen Bauer for her tremendous support given to the Tidewell Foundation and our Blue Butterfly Family Grief Centers through this incredible, long-term partnership and the creation the BSWANKY Mariposa handbag series,” said Debbie Mason, president of the Tidewell Foundation.  “These one-of-a-kind luxurious handbags are sure to become favorites with fashionistas and Tidewell supporters alike!”

“Blue Butterfly offers a safe and caring environment for children and caregivers to connect with others and grieve in a way that makes them feel supported,” said Tidewell President and CEO Jonathan Fleece. “Thanks to the generosity of donors, Tidewell is able to offer these services at no cost and we are incredibly grateful for that.”

Tidewell’s Blue Butterfly is the only evidence-based program in our region that helps grieving children, teens and caregivers through professional counseling, peer-support groups and therapeutic activities. Since its inception in April 2018, Blue Butterfly has served more than 200 families and is continuing its services virtually during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tidewell’s grief and bereavement services are 100% donor supported and offered for free to community members in addition to patients and families. Each year, more than 8,000 children in Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties experience the loss of a parent — increasing their risk of struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues.

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About Tidewell Foundation, Inc. 

The Tidewell Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) (3) charitable foundation established to ensure perpetual philanthropic support to Tidewell Hospice and the healthcare companies within the Stratum Health System family. Charitable contributions to the Tidewell Foundation sustain and grow the critically important programs and services provided through the not-for-profit mission of Tidewell Hospice and its affiliates. Donor-funded programs offer compassion and comfort to those who need it most in our community by caring for all, regardless of their ability to pay. It starts with generosity and is paid forward with every patient connection, family served and life changed.

Discover how each donation strengthens our community; learn more by visiting www.tidewellfoundation.org.