FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT

Nyda Bittmann-Neville, Nyda@TNBGroup.com, 828.246.4525

LAKEWOOD RANCH, Fla. (Feb. 3, 2026) – The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation (LWRCF) announces Tom Bergerat, a student at Out-of-Door Academy in Lakewood Ranch, has been named the 2026 Junior Humanitarian of the Year. Bergerat will be honored during the Polo with the Pros event, hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation at the Sarasota Polo Club, on February 8.   

The Junior Humanitarian of the Year award was established in 2023. In the tradition of the prestigious C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award, the Junior Humanitarian award was created to honor youths who embody the spirt of philanthropy in their daily lives.

Bergerat was born in France and moved to the United States in 2017 from Canada. Despite learning English as a second language, Bergerat is a standout student who is taking all honors and AP courses. He studied piano for over 10 years and has played on the DME soccer team for four years. He has received multiple district and state accolades as an actor, musician, and theater director. Bergerat is hoping to study at Princeton University.

Bergerat is co-leader of the Out-of-Door Academy (ODA) Advanced Chamber Orchestra, and he performed at the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebration grand finale event in November 2025. Bergerat volunteers on the ODA campus and is a camp counselor in training and a student ambassador. Off campus, he volunteers with Mothers Helping Mothers and Sarasota Manatee Association Riding Therapy (SMART).

Bergerat stated, “Giving back to your community does not have to be something huge like curing cancer, but small things that make someone else happy at the end of their day can go a very long way. To me, giving back to your community is genuinely being there to help anyone who needs it.”

Bergerat will be honored at the Polo with the Pros event, hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation at the Sarasota Polo Club, on February 8 beginning at noon. Tickets ($75) are available at www.LWRCF.org.

For more information about LWRCF, visit LWRCF.org, email info@LWRCF.org, or call 941-208-6799.    

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The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to enhancing the quality of life in and near the Lakewood Ranch, Florida community by responding to needs, granting funds, and building lasting relationships. Since its founding in 2000, the fund has granted over $1.75 million to more than 140 nonprofit organizations to directly improve the lives of Lakewood Ranch residents. Let us “Open the Door.”