Thanks to outstanding community support, Sheriff Tom Knight’s 3rd Annual Corporate SWAT Challenge raised $20,000 for the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches.

On Saturday, 15 teams from area businesses spent the day at Knight Trail Park in Nokomis competing in five tactical events of skill, endurance and strategy. The Corporate SWAT Challenge was designed so participants would have fun in a challenging but team-building atmosphere while raising money for an important cause.

Sarasota Dental Group took first place this year, with Gecko’s coming in second and Real Fitness Sarasota third. Other competing teams included SunTrust, Synovus Bank, Suncoast Motorsports, PGT Industries, UBS, Armor Correctional Health Services, Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, Power Air, Daiquiri Deck, Christofferson Fitness, The Paparazzi and Goux Get Mama.

The event was sponsored by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, with support from Jackson & Associates General Contractor, Band Weintraub, Peach’s, Sysco, Daiquiri Deck, Gold Coast Eagle Distributing, S & S Motorsports, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, Trader Joe’s and Sarasota Trophy.

In its first three years, this event has provided $75,000 to the Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches. For information on their programs visit www.youthranches.org.

Potential teams who want to get in on the action next year can visit SarasotaSheriff.org and under About click Corporate SWAT Challenge. The 2013 date will be posted there as soon as it's scheduled.