On 17 October 2025, our dear friends in Sarasota, Florida, hosted their biennial event, Safari Sarasota. The event supports the All Heart Fund, created in partnership with GWF in memory of Sarasota resident Leanna Knopik, who passed away aged 16.
Leanna visited South Africa the year before her passing and fell deeply in love with the people, the culture and the idea of working with children in local schools and orphanages. The All Heart Fund was established to carry on her dream.
This year’s Safari Sarasota event took place outdoors on a beautiful autumn evening at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Guests arrived to the rhythms of African drummers while enjoying cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, artistic face painting and a lively photo booth as the sun set over Sarasota Bay.
From there, guests moved beneath the canopy of old, majestic banyan trees for a South African-style bush dinner, along with live African dancing and a spirited auction. A four-course meal was prepared and presented by the Michael’s on East team, featuring Cape Malay-inspired recipes from the Londolozi Game Reserve, paired with exceptional South African wines.
To date, the All Heart Fund has helped GWF build five digital learning campuses. Thanks to the tremendous success of this year’s Safari Sarasota, the All Heart Fund is now well on its way to supporting the sixth!
It’s truly wonderful to see Leanna’s legacy continue to grow in such a meaningful and impactful way.
Thank you, Leanna, for the light you continue to shine. And thank you, Sarasota, for carrying her legacy forward.
Here are some reflections on Safari Sarasota 2025:
Kate Groch, GWF CEO
It’s always incredible to reflect on how Hazyview, a small rural town in South Africa, can be so deeply connected to a city across the world, like Sarasota. The pink thread of Good Work Foundation ties us together, and the legacy of Leanna, along with the support of her family, friends and community, continues to empower an education revolution in rural South Africa.
In Africa, we have a saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” This year’s events reminded me how far we’ve come, together, and how far we still have to go. I am so grateful that we are doing it together!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Safari Sarasota this year for a magical and memorable time. Thank you to our lodge partners back home and sponsors in Sarasota. Your support enables us to continue reimagining education and opportunities for young rural South Africans.
And the biggest thank you of all to the dedicated All Heart Fund board members (Michael and Terri Klauber, Steve and Beth Knopik, Vin and Michele Beni, and Tom and Sherry Koski), who carry Leanna’s spirit forward in every gathering we’ve had, every Zoom call, every message, and of course, the wonderful in-person visits to GWF campuses. We appreciate all of you.
Fumani Mathumbu, GWF Special Projects
Safari Sarasota was such a special evening, filled with connection, laughter and meaningful conversations that reminded us of the power of shared purpose. It was inspiring to see people come together, including friends who had travelled from different parts of the US, all united by a love for South Africa and a belief in creating brighter futures through education.
It felt like a gathering of hearts, and a reminder that when people care deeply and work together, real change becomes possible.
