Once upon a time, in a town called Sarasota, there lived two men with the same first name —though spelled a little differently—and a shared reputation for doing good deeds. These men—great storytellers, master connectors and quiet heroes—are pillars of the community. They give without hesitation, serve without seeking the spotlight and lift others in ways many will never see. This is the story of two men with different journeys but a shared legacy of impact.
WRITTEN BY BARBIE
HEIT
AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT
KOSTYGAN
BARBIE HEIT
To both locals and tourists, our community appears to be nothing short of paradise—an oasis of palm trees, crystal-clear waters, luxury resorts and brand new, amenity-filled developments popping up all the time. But behind the perfect image lies a growing housing crisis, one that affects the very people who keep our paradise running: hotel staff, servers, nurses, teachers, maintenance crews—and more vulnerable residents, including veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals and families struggling to get by on limited income. WRITTEN BY
PHOTOGRAPHY
BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
This page, left to right: John Annis and Jon Thaxton, photography by Wyatt Kostygan.
11 BRANDSTORY ASOLO REPERTORY THEATRE
45 IN CONVERSATION RETIRING GRACEFULLY KATE HYLAND MERCER, MS FINANCIAL ADVISOR, FERRIS WHEEL FINANCE
This page: Kate Traugott at The Farm, photography by Wes Roberts; Branzino with lobster, spiraled zucchini, almond aillade and basil, photography by Wes Roberts; and, cheerful holiday gifts, photography by Wes Roberts. Cover: Holiday gift guide, photography by Wes Roberts. Giving Coast Cover: Illustration by Abby Jensen, an illustrator and designer from Bolingbrook, IL, who is completing her senior year at Ringling College of Art and Design.
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Kate Traugott, inspired by her childhood experiences, is leading The Farm’s efforts to make agricultural education accessible to Sarasota County students. The decorated team behind Zoto is leveling up Sarasota’s already-impressive food scene. The second annual Lakewood Ranch BluesFest carries on the legacy of the beloved Bradenton Blues Festival, with award-winning acts at Waterside Park. First 1,000 Days Suncoast brings books to life in the NICU. Angela Long changed the course of her life—and countless others—through embracing dragon boat racing after recovering from breast cancer. Gulf
Coast Community Foundation Boosts Progress on New Boys & Girls Club in North Port. Odissi dance master Bijayini Satpathy opened the Ringling’s Art of Performance season with the third-ever performance of her courageous new work, Doha
culture city 32
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast’s Winter Residency moves to downtown Sarasota for its 22nd year of operation.
cargo 36
forage 48
Best friends Jeremy Duclut and Jonathan Warfield show off their culinary talents in their passion project Marcel DW, a French-inspired bistro on Main Street.
giving coast 53
Ethan Ruben and his family inspire others to fight antisemitism and ignorance through education.
wellness 74
Check out the local spas using red light therapy to change lives for the better. december 2025
Check out this year’s gift guide for the best ideas in holiday giving.
DECEMBER 2025
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The “SRQ” in SRQ magazine originates from the designated call letters for the local Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. “SR” was the original abbreviation for the airport before the growth in total number of airports required the use of a three-letter code. Letters like “X” and “Q” were used as filler, thus the original “SR” was revised to “SRQ,” much as the Los Angeles airport became “LAX.” As a regional publication committed to the residents of and visitors to both Sarasota and Manatee counties, SRQ captures the place that we call home.
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STORIES ABOUT THE LOCAL PEOPLE, PLACES AND EXPERIENCES THAT DEFINE OUR HOMETOWN
srqist
THE FARM
Kate Traugott, is leading efforts to make agricultural education accessible to Sarasota County students.
Cecilia Mould
Below: Kate Traugott, farm manager of Sarasota County Schools, with her cows Lainey (left) and Dunkin.
Below: Traugott with her dog Sway; Traugott gets a helping hand from Stella the pig; The Farm offers hands-on learning opportunities for Sarasota students. To learn more, visit sarasotacountyschools.net/page/the-farm
KATE TRAUGOTT HAS ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR THE WORK SHE DOES. Growing up in Sarasota, she raised pigs and steers at the locally owned Van’s Community Farm. When this farm’s land was eventually sold for development, Traugott felt the absence of a community space for students to learn about agriculture and raising livestock. As Traugott and her team became increasingly inspired to create this space themselves, they decided to take advantage of the 40-acre property off of McIntosh Road and build a state-of-the-art facility for students throughout Sarasota County, called The Farm. The property, which the Sarasota school district has leased and used for agricultural education since the 1960s, had fallen into disrepair by 2021, when Traugott’s team designed a plan for a new and improved farm. She says that the community’s support for the project has been essential to its success. “I have been spending all my working days since 2023 on a construction site. So it's very exciting to have all of our new buildings and construction completed and to really see our community come together to celebrate and support that,” says Traugott. “This really happened as a result of communicating with the school board and the superintendent that this was important for them to have as a resource in their community. It is something that was funded because folks were engaged and involved and told their leaders what they wanted to see.” Construction began in 2023, and now, The Farm has officially been completed and is offering an expanded range of learning experiences for local K-12 students. It features barns and a large covered arena for students to raise livestock themselves, as well as a greenhouse with aquaculture and hydroponics for students to learn about the agricultural industry. Kitchen and shop spaces also allow students to learn valuable technical skills, but Traugott says one of their most valuable assets is the 30 acres of land kept in a natural state. “The Farm is very much a vehicle for learning science, technology, engineering, professional skills, emotional regulation and management,” says Traugott. “And those are all things that don't come from our buildings. Our pasture is where we go to learn all the lessons about ecological services.” Through hosting field trips and enrichment opportunities for all Sarasota County students—regardless of whether they attend public school, private school or are homeschooled—Traugott hopes The Farm will help students build lifelong friendships while also learning technical and leadership skills. “I hope that it will give our students a strong sense of place and a sense of community and that it will help them to become the leaders who will continue to make positive change happen compassionately,” she says. SRQ
This page: With sharable plates and unique cocktails, Zoto celebrates the essence of modern Japanese izakaya culture. Zoto, 190 N. Cattlemen Rd. Unit 5, Sarasota, 941-359-9517, zotosushi.com.
REACHING FOR THE STARS
Zoto, a new Japanese eatery, brings Michelin-quality cuisine to Sarasota. Kate Wight
SARASOTA HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN AS A FOODIE TOWN, a place where new restaurants seem to pop up every month and coastal flavors meet creative flair. But for all its culinary charm, one thing the city has yet to claim is Michelin-star pedigree. That may be about to change with the arrival of Zoto, a sleek new Japanese eatery bringing fine-dining credentials and international polish to the local scene. The brainchild of Jimmy and Johnny Tung, James Beard–nominated restaurateurs with a track record of shaping some of the country’s most exciting dining concepts, Zoto blends the spirit of Japanese bar culture with the artistry of modern cuisine. Zoto was conceptualized as an izakaya, a type of Japanese bar that serves a variety of alcoholic beverages and shareable plates, somewhat akin to a tapas bar. But with a team whose combined résumé includes Michelinlevel kitchens and award-winning restaurants, Zoto represents more than just another trendy opening. It’s a sign that Sarasota’s dining scene is stepping confidently onto the national stage. “We’ve assembled a great team with Michelin-level experience to bring something new to Sarasota,” says Johnny Tung. “Zoto is an elevated izakaya experience with sharing plates, cocktails, great sakes and wines all with a little bit of a modern twist to it.” The Tung brothers are accomplished restaurateurs in their own right: one of their other ventures, Kosen, is one of just five restaurants in Tampa with a Michelin star. They’ve also brought on experienced team members. Benjamin Coutts, the beverage director at Zoto was a founding member of Soseki Modern Omakase in Winter Park which earned its first Michelin star in its inaugural year. In 2023, he was honored as Sommelier of the Year by Michelin Guide Florida. “I like to send people down the road less traveled,” Coutts says. “I’m really big on pairings, flavors and weaving people in and out of their comfort zone so they can have a really great experience.” Zoto’s executive chef is Atsushi Okawara, who earned a Michelin star as head sushi chef at Kenzo, an upscale Japanese restaurant in Napa Valley, in its inaugural year. More recently, he served as the head chef at The Den at Azubu Miami Beach where he earned Michelin stars in 2022 and 2023. Okawara excels at traditional Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on fresh, seasonal ingredients. “I always order different types of fish and seasonal items every week, so the menu is always evolving,” he says. Zoto had its soft opening in October and at press time hadn’t yet announced a grand opening date as the team worked on fine-tuning the menu with the meticulous attention to detail you’d expect from such decorated professionals. “We’re taking it in phases because we’re new to Sarasota and we want to understand what people are looking for,” says Tung. “We’ve had great reception so far and a lot of support from our guests. We feel very confident and we’re really thankful that people have come out to support us.” SRQ
Below, left to right: Vanessa Collier (right) performs at the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival in 2024. Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival, December 6, Waterside Park, 7301 Island Cove Terrace, Lakewood Ranch, lakewoodranchbluesfest.com
THE BLUES ARE BACK
Lakewood Ranch BluesFest carries on the legacy of the beloved Bradenton Blues Festival. Dylan Campbell
WHEN THE BRADENTON BLUES FESTIVAL WAS OFFICIALLY CANCELLED IN 2024, after 12 years of production, it left a void. Fortunately, Morgan Bettes Angell and Paul E. Benjamin were ready to fill it. Angell, president and CEO of Independent Jones and Benjamin, of Benjamin Productions, had long been involved with the Bradenton Blues Festival. The festival, which had been produced by Realize Bradenton, had been shuttered after the passing of the organization’s founder, Johnette Isham, in 2023. “We were born from the ashes of the Bradenton Blues Festival,” says Angell. “I’d known Paul since 2012 and had been doing work out in Lakewood Ranch with Independent Jones. Paul told me that they needed a new venue for the festival, and I said, ‘come check out Waterside.’” Thus, the inaugural Lakewood Ranch BluesFest was born. On December 6, the BluesFest will return to Waterside Park for its second year, this time with a packed lineup full of nationally renowned, Blues-Award-winning artists and an eye towards inspiring the next generation of musicians. The lineup, put together by Benjamin, is an eclectic mix of different blues styles. Miami-based guitarist Albert Castiglia, husband and wife duo Chambers DesLauriers, Chicago bluesman Toronzo Cannon, soul blues legend Johnny Rawls, blues/rock group The Shaelyn Band, vocalist Eden Brent and blues group Desoto Tiger’s Testimony make up the acts. “I try to put together a lineup that appeals to the many different forms of blues,” says Benjamin. “You have some great guitar players, like Albert Castiglia and Paul DesLauriers, and then with Desoto Tiger’s Testimony, Jason Ricci is one of the top blues harmonica players in the entire world. Jonny Rawls gives you some of those Mississippi blues and then Eden Brent, who is also from Mississippi, is a boogie-woogie piano player who brings that style of blues into the fold as well.” The spirit of the blues, the camaraderie that the artists all share, will be felt from the opening of the festival to the closing acts. Students from Music Compound will kick off the event, welcoming audience members in with an on-stage performance, before giving way to the professional acts. Desoto Tiger’s Testimony even has a local tie-in—founding member Damon Fowler hails from Brandon, Florida, and came up playing shows around the Tampa Bay/Bradenton/Sarasota area. “Desoto Tiger’s Testimony is a fairly new project,” says Fowler. “It’s a really fun band to play with—we’re still developing our sound—there’s a broad range of different styles that fall under the umbrella of what we play, but we’re playing a lot of upbeat numbers with a lot of guitar and harmonica.” Although the BluesFest is only in its second year, Angell hopes that it can grow into a larger and larger event, sharing the magic of blues that the Bradenton Blues Festival did for over a decade. “We want to introduce blues to people who don’t know blues music. I didn’t know blues music until I got involved with the Bradenton Blues Festival,” says Angell. “People will fall in love with the genre if they come hear it live and see this kind of talent in person.” SRQ
STORIES FROM THE START
First 1,000 Days Suncoast Brings Books to Life in the NICU. Barbie Heit
AT SARASOTA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL’S NICU, THE TINIEST PATIENTS ARE LEARNING ABOUT THE MAGIC OF READING. Every week, volunteers and team members from the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative arrive with bundles of brightly colored books filled with enchanting stories. These books are part of the NICU Mobile Library, a heartwarming program launched to bring the power of reading into the most fragile beginnings of life. Born from a partnership between Sarasota Memorial Healthcare System, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and supported by The Patterson Foundation and Mom’s Book Nook, the mobile library offers families more than just stories. It offers connection. Parents gently read aloud at their baby’s bedside, building bonds and stimulating early language development, even amid monitors and IV lines. This September, the NICU Mobile Library joined the nationwide Readathon, turning the NICU into a space not only of healing, but also of celebration. Each book shared, each story told, becomes part of a larger movement—one that supports literacy from the very first days of life. A permanent library in the NICU parent lounge allows families to borrow books anytime, extending the comfort of stories throughout their stay. For Tina Wilson of First 1,000 Days Suncoast and Katie Clementi, NICU Manager, this program is a testament to what community collaboration can achieve. “The NICU is a difficult experience no matter what the circumstances,” says Clementi. “It’s really important for babies to hear their parents' voices—they recognize them. Whatever we can do as nurses to help parents bond with their babies is important to us and reading is an important part of that bonding.” Sarasota resident, Trisha Birkhold, gave birth to her first babies, twin girls born at just 24 weeks, 6 days. Grace was born weighing just 1.6 oz and her sister, Charlotte, 1.1 oz. “Reading to the babies is super special because you can pick out a book that may be tailored to your own life experiences,” she shares, noting that her husband loves airplanes so the first book they read to Grace was one about airplanes. “I hope that hearing us read to them gives them a sense of calm and less stress.” First 1,000 Days Suncoast began as a vision in 2018 to support children from pregnancy through age three. It has since grown into a tri-county movement with over 90 partner agencies. Through the NICU Mobile Library, they remind us all how stories can brighten the lives of even the most vulnerable. SRQ
Below: New mom, Trisha Birkhold, reads to her twin baby girls in Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
Below: Angela Long steered her life in a new direction when she discovered dragon boat racing. To learn more go to: nathanbendersonpark.org, Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Circle, Sarasota.
PADDLING DRAGONS
Angela Long changed the course of her life—and countless others—through embracing dragon boat racing after recovering from breast cancer. Dylan Campbell
FOR A DRAGON BOAT TO EVEN BE ABLE TO LEAVE THE DOCK, SOMEONE HAS TO STEER. In 2013, Angela Long had never set foot in a dragon boat before. So naturally, she learned to steer. “All of us who started in that first boat were new to the sport,” says Long, the founder of Survivors in Sync (SIS) and head paddling coach at Nathan Benderson Park. “For us to be able to have practices, someone had to learn how to steer the boat and I knew I had to take that on because nobody else knew how to. It just made sense for me to do it.” Long started Survivors in Sync, a breast cancer support group, after her recovery from breast cancer. Dragon boat racing—which was propounded in 1996 by Canadian Dr. Don McKenzie as a form of exercise for breast cancer survivors—was not initially on the docket. When the International Dragon Boat Festival came to Nathan Benderson Park for the first time in 2014, festival organizers wanted Sarasota to have a boat. “It’s just been teamwork since the very beginning. That first year, we’d only been battling together for six months, but finished in the top half of that competition that brought in over 100 teams from around the world. For the next festival, four years later, we set the goal to be one of the top teams—we finished fourth in the world that year,” says Long. SIS, and the ensuing paddling programming at Nathan Benderson, has only grown since then. SIS has competed at higher levels, including the Club Crew World Championships, and the programming at Nathan Benderson has expanded to include veteran and all-cancer survivor teams, more recreational-minded dragon boat teams and outrigger canoeing. This past July, Long was selected as Team USA’s firstever coach for breast cancer paddlers. Long led 39 women from across the country, including eight SIS paddlers, to compete in the International Dragon Boat Federation World Championships in Brandenburg, Germany. “If you’d told me 12 years ago that I’d be doing what I’m doing now, I could have never imagined it. When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, however, I had two little kids at the time and I made a promise to God: keep me around and I’ll keep myself useful,” says Long. “I’m so appreciative to be here and to be able to contribute to the lives of others. I hope that I’m giving them, in my way, the opportunity of hope and to leave cancer on the shore, even if it’s just for a little while.” SRQ
Below: Gulf Coast Community Foundation helps Boys & Girls Club get a new building. To learn more visit bgcsdc.org
A NEW CLUB FOR FAMILIES
A New Club for the North Port Community. Barbie Heit
CONSTRUCTION IS UNDERWAY ON A NEW, STATE-OF-THE-ART
GENE MATTHEWS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB at the Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Campus, fueled by a $1,000,000 investment from Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) and a growing coalition of supporters. The facility is expected to be completed in early 2026. Since Hurricane Ian destroyed the original Club in September 2022, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties (BGCSDC) has operated out of temporary facilities. Dawn Page, Vice President of Operations, says the new building will be a game-changer for the region. “To be able to provide this state-of-the-art club with so many opportunities for the families of the Northport area is such a blessing for us, our kids, our members and the community in general.” “This project is a powerful example of what’s possible when a community comes together,” said Phillip Lanham, President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation. “Collaboration has been the cornerstone of every step forward, and we’re proud to work alongside so many dedicated partners to help rebuild the Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Club, which will support North Port’s youth and families for generations to come.” For over 25 years, the Club has provided trusted after-school programs and a safe, supportive environment. It currently serves over 250 youth ages 6–18 with award-winning programs focused on leadership, healthy lifestyles and future planning. The new facility will honor that legacy while expanding services to meet growing needs. It will include academic classrooms, a commercial teaching kitchen, a high-tech lab, a teen center, a renovated playground, a recreation pavilion and a health and fitness center—creating a vibrant hub for learning and growth. A food pantry will also be added to serve the broader community. “The pantry is for the community—not just people who have kids in our clubs,” said Page. “What’s really great about pantries is that unlike food banks, where others give out food, people are actually able to come in and look at what's on the shelf, just like grocery shopping. They get to take what’s good for their family and their family’s needs.” BGCSDC President/CEO Bill Sadlo says, “Gulf Coast Community Foundation has impacted thousands of our members over the years, and we are grateful for their commitment as a key partner in this community-wide effort to build a new Gene Matthews Boys & Girls Clubs. As the steel beams are added and construction continues, we inch closer toward providing a safe and enriching space for after-school activities.” The Steven and Marjolaine Townsend Campus is made possible through lead support from the Townsends, Gulf Coast, Jaime and Julie DiDomenico, Atlanta Braves Foundation, Congressman Steube’s Office, Alex Armstrong, Jimmy Devellano, Resilient SRQ, Florida Community Loan Fund’s New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) program and additional NMTCs from Truist Community Development Enterprises, LLC. A ribbon-cutting is tentatively scheduled for early 2026. SRQ
Below: Bijayini Satpathy kicked off The Ringling’s Art of Performance season with a performance of her groundbreaking new work, Doha
ECHOES OF PRAYER AND PLAY
Odissi dance master Bijayini Satpathy opened the Ringling’s Art of Performance season with the third-ever performance of her courageous new work, Doha. Dylan Campbell
BIJAYINI SATPATHY WANTS US TO LISTEN. To the earth, to the universe and to the questions that come to our minds in the times of stillness. It’s part of why Satpathy, an internationally recognized master of Odissi, the oldest surviving classical dance of India, created Doha, the most groundbreaking work of her career. In Doha, Satpathy seeks to expand the physical vocabulary of Odissi, while challenging the traditional theistic depictions that permeate the art form and replacing ideas of “prayer” and “play” with stillness, meditation and exaltation. Satpathy bared her soul, her decades of dance experience and her willingness to push the boundaries of her art form at the Historic Asolo Theater as the opener of The Ringling's Art of Performance season. SRQ
WHAT IS DOHA, AND HOW DID THE PERFORMANCE COME TO BE? BIJAYINI SATPATHY I have been working at expanding the training and performance vocabulary of Odissi for a very long time and this work is where I was the most experimental. Because it was an artist-in-residence program, I considered this as a study more than a performance or a statement. I had lots of questions surrounding Odissi—I’ve been training in this medium for 45 years—so I gathered all of those questions into a practical investigation of the form, addressing them in various cultural setups in the Metropolitan Museum of Art (MET). Finally, after I’d created four space-specific works, I took essential ideas from each one of them and put them together into this piece called Doha. It has only been performed twice—first at the MET, where I created the work as the culmination of my one and a half year artist residency there, and then again in April 2025 in India. Sarasota will be the first touring destination of Doha.
IN CREATING DOHA, WHAT WERE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAD SURROUNDING THE ODISSI DANCE FORM? Odissi is a very regional art form. It comes from the state of Odisha in East India and is very specifically connected to the local culture. It comes from the language, the way language is composed in prose and poetry, the way language induces emotion in real life; as well as the literature, architecture and all kinds of design ideas that exist in the land of Odisha. It is also part of the worship rituals in the temples of Odisha
and has been given the status of one of the national dance forms of India. My questions were about the regionality of Odissi—is Odissi only regional? Does it exist just in the specific aspects of its connection to Odisha, the land where it originated, or is it a global movement language?
HOW DID THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE MET HELP ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS? I deliberately chose not to work within the Indian Gallery, because that would’ve been juxtaposing my Odissi against other aspects of Indian or Odisha backgrounds. I chose the Islamic Wing, which is as far away from Odissi dance as you can get. I chose the Astor Chinese Garden Court from the Ming dynasty. I chose the American Contemporary Art gallery and a 12th-century chapter house where Christian monks gathered. I wanted to connect to the ideas that are housed within those spaces, not only in terms of religious concepts, but in terms of design and the essence of each space. The chapter house is about prayer, meditation and finding focus within. In the Islamic Wing, I address the non-figurative design of the space, where simple designs multiply to become larger, complex designs. In the Astor Chinese Court, I was thinking about the philosophical reflections that we make as humans. In the Contemporary Art Gallery, I was especially struck by a drape painting by Sam Gilliam, which is a riot of colors and has a very free design created with a sense of abandon. By placing these questions against other cultures and creating work that speaks of and with those other cultures, I felt like I investigated the universal aspect of Odissi.
WHAT WAS THE PHYSICAL PROCESS OF CHOREOGRAPHING DOHA? Everything is an embodied trial and error process. Odissi has a certain structure, a certain vocabulary and repertoire that progresses and culminates in a specific way. The music is specific to the dance form as well, so when an unfamiliar tradition of music is played, I am thrown off. The only way to respond to something, however, is to move with it. If there are lyrics, what do they mean to me? I respond to everything through who I am as a mover and a dancer—live the questions, I say, instead of trying to find the answers. Odissi sits in my body and my psyche in a certain way. When creating Doha, I tried to feel and center these movements in a different part of my body, keeping in mind the new surroundings that I’m responding to. It’s about breaking familiar patterns and throwing myself into uncomfortable ways of moving within the Odissi vocabulary. For 45 years, I have stuck to the traditional way of dancing. Before I die, I want to complete as much of the search that is within myself as possible.
HOW DOES DOHA EXPLORE THE DICHOTOMY BETWEEN PRAYER AND PLAY? Doha came together after a long year of the pandemic, in which everybody was forced into some sort of reflective meditation. I lost my father at the end of 2020, which was a very difficult month for myself and all of my siblings. I remember something silly happened, however, and we all laughed for some reason or another—I caught myself thinking, how can I laugh at a time like this? So there was this meditative idea that I had, this inner stillness that I’d been searching for, combined with the resilience of the soul. It laughs, it plays even amidst difficult times. It triggered my thought that soul sustenance is found both in stillness and quiet and in wonder and play. The soul is like a child—it can become very quiet and ask questions of the mind, which leads us to a point of stillness that I call prayer. I felt like we all needed to quiet down and then we needed to play. Everything that I have done in dance fits into these two categories, of praying or playing. It’s either romancing the idea of wonder or trying to be still and connect oneself with the larger universe. Basically, I took these two ideas of pray and play and expanded Doha, taking movement, vocabulary and the ideas that I’d worked with in the four spaces at the MET.
WHAT IS THE MEANING BEHIND THE NAME DOHA?
Doha means two lines in a couplet of poetry, by 18thcentury Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir. Mir Taqi Mir says, “Even if you breathe, breathe ever so gently,” for the cosmos are as fragile as a glass workshop. The fragility of the universe was a driving force behind the creation of
Doha. Everything was hunky dory and then a pandemic happened and everything crumbled. Everything became very personal at that point, my dad’s death, how life carried on, the resilience of the soul and how isolated we all became during the pandemic. All of that is reflected in Doha
HOW DOES DOHA BREAK AWAY FROM THE PHYSICAL PRESENTATION OF TRADITIONAL ODISSI DANCE? How the performance is presented also pushes the boundaries of Odissi. Odissi is always presented in segments—one choreography after another fills up an hour. Doha is one hour of me never leaving the stage, which I’ve never done before. Odissi music and dance also operates at a medium speed and creates constant isolation between the upper and lower body. There is a lot of geometric precision with the arms and legs, there is always a spiral happening in space.
I wanted the beginning of the performance to be slower than slow, which my body is not used to. Moving that slow took me to a place of stillness and reflection, where, in turn, those movements become prayer. There are no words or gestures that bring me to this sense of prayer, but rather being still in certain contours of the body feels like prayer, before breaking into episodes and fragments. The idea of fragments came from the poet Sappho, that even fragments of thoughts can be pulled together to show one intense emotion. So then I’m creating fragments of the ideas of play, in different spaces. As I move from one space to another, the music, which has a continuity and logic to it, begins to change until it turns into a frenzy, building towards the sense of wonder of the cosmos and how fragile everything truly is—urging the audience to be quiet, listen and breathe deeply without disturbing it.
IT SOUNDS LIKE DOHA IS A CALL TO RECONNECT WITH YOURSELF AMIDST CHAOS. When I first performed Doha, it was quite emotional for me. It was in the Grace Rainey Rodgers Auditorium, at the MET, which seats 700 people, and it was a full house. I could feel every single person there, I felt very strongly connected to every person in the audience. Since then, it’s become a search for me—how can I connect with every single person without words, just by moving. I want to stay connected for the entire hour with every person there. In this world where there are so many fractions and fragmentations, there are so many barriers and boundaries, I feel like it’s a very powerful thing to feel one another and be with one another. I didn’t know that I was searching for this feeling, but to be still for one hour with everybody in the room was a big gift that came from the performance. SRQ
culture city
A SPECIAL PLACE
The Perlman Music Program Suncoast’s Winter Residency moves to downtown Sarasota for its 22nd year of operation. Dylan Campbell
This spread, left to right: Itzhak Perlman conducts at the Winter Residency’s Suncoast Celebration Concert 2025; the Zota Quartet; Razuma String Quartet; Trio Gaia.
SPECIAL. IT’S THE WORD THAT GETS USED FREQUENTLY WHEN DISCUSSING THE PERLMAN MUSIC PROGRAM (PMP), the brainchild of violinist Toby Perlman, created in 1994 to serve as a nurturing, holistic, learning environment for some of the world’s top young string instrument musicians. The PMP, which includes a highly competitive 7-week music summer camp on New York’s Shelter Island for students aged 12-18, is also home to PMP Suncoast—an offshoot which hosts the PMP Winter Residency, which touches down in Sarasota for two weeks each winter.
This winter, the PMP Winter Residency celebrates its 22nd year of operation by moving from its previous home in the USF Sarasota-Manatee Campus to downtown Sarasota. The Winter Residency’s community programs—which include nightly orchestral and choral rehearsals as well as works-inprogress (WIP) concerts, open free to the public—will now be available to classical music aficionados within walking distance of the city’s major residential centers. Toby and Itzhak Perlman expressed their excitement at the change of location: We are so grateful to our friends at PMP Suncoast,” they said. “By moving the Winter Residency program to the heart of Sarasota, we will be able to see our old friends and meet new audiences at accessible venues. We are looking forward to this new opportunity to reach many more classical music enthusiasts.”
On the outside, it may appear easy to see why the program is special. String-music prodigies, from all over the world, gather together to train under renowned violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman and a faculty that borrows many of its instructors from The Juilliard School. Alumni are members of the top orchestras, quartets and ensembles, filling the stages of classical music’s biggest concert halls. All of that, however, is just the byproduct
of what occurs at the PMP Winter Residency. The true reasons why PMP is special, why the alumni consistently come back to teach, learn and bask in the environment, run far deeper than one might initially expect. For instructor Catherine Cho, an acclaimed violinist in her own right and a faculty member at Juilliard, it starts with the environment. A day in the PMP Winter Residency is a busy one—students engage in individual and group lessons, orchestral rehearsals, chorus rehearsals and debut works in progress—but always starts with a communal breakfast. “A day in the life in any PMP environment is a holistic one,” says Cho. “We’re like a musical family, the faculty and students blend together into one community.”
After breakfast is a curated practice time for students, followed by a communal lunch, then lessons and chamber music coaching in the afternoon, before faculty and students alike gather together to participate in community chorus rehearsals. “We all sing together as a community, and it’s a real time for connecting and participating in the same vision for the same piece of music. It’s one of our favorite PMP activities,” says Cho. “Then we have dinner together as a musical community and on some evenings, there are performances.”
The structure of the Winter Residency, Cho maintains, is part of what creates such a strong familial aspect within the program. The mission of the PMP is not just to teach the next generation of string musicians, not just to develop talent, but also to grow the students as people. Although acceptance into the program is extremely competitive, the actual environment is not. There is no jostling for a better seat in the orchestra, no predetermined hierarchy based on experience. It’s not just that everybody involved in the program possesses a rare musical talent—it’s that they have all worked incredibly hard to get to where they are today. “What’s important in any musical education environment is to build a support system where you prop up the talent and then you build the skills. Prop up the talent and build the skills that support the talent, because talent isn’t what’s going to develop the voice, but it is connected to what they have to say in the music,” says Cho. “That’s innate, that comes from the heart, from the soul, but then we need the language to be able to advocate for your voice and that’s where the skill building comes in.”
Cho emphasizes that her teaching style— at both Juilliard and the Winter Residency— centers around connecting with the students
at their level. It is a “co-creation” of a learning experience, rather than a traditional lecture methodology. “I think that the teacher shares information from their own experiences and knowledge, and then the student meets them in that moment to then process, digest and hopefully be inspired by that information,” says Cho. “I feel that a student being lectured at isn’t necessarily going to help them process these complex artistic complexes. Our job as teachers is to meet students where they are, to try to be empathetic for where they are and then communicate accordingly.”
For professional violist Peter Dudek, a member of the esteemed Ulysses Quartet and an alum of the PMP Winter Residency who has worked as a fellow in the program for the past three winters, the environment and teaching style have grown him into the
musician he is today. As a student of the Winter Residency, Dudek recalls practicing sight reading chamber music—performing music upon first reading—late into the nights, reveling in the chance to work on his craft with his friends. “Sight reading is part of joining a string quartet and of quartet life—I didn’t know that I was unconsciously preparing for my professional audition,” says Dudek. “I was just having so much fun reading with my friends in the program.”
For elite musicians, vulnerability can be a tough pill to swallow. However, vulnerability is part of one of the Winter Residency’s most public-facing components, the orchestral rehearsals. Conducted by Mr. Perlman, these rehearsals—practicing in advance of the PMP Celebration Concert and PMP Chamber Music Concert—give audiences an inside eye
Super Strings
The PMP Winter Residency is short, lasting from just December 30 to January 10, 2026. Although the roughly 28 students will only be in Sarasota for a brief period, the itinerary is extensive. Including the choral, orchestral rehearsals and WIP concerts, the Winter Residency will culminate in the Celebration Concert at the Sarasota Opera House on January 9 and a Chamber Quartet Concert at First Presbyterian Church on January 10. Returning to the residency this year is Super Strings, an audition-based program that features the best of Florida’s young string musicians. In Super Strings, musicians will prepare and play a piece with the PMP string orchestra under the direction of Itzhak Perlman. This season, however, auditions will be limited to only young musicians from Sarasota, putting even more emphasis on the strength of the local arts community.
into the artistic process of these musicians. Not everything is perfect, nor is it meant to be. These rehearsals work to humanize both the music and the musician, giving an even greater appreciation for the level at which the students are playing.
“One of the big things I learned as a student is that growth doesn’t always come with perfection. There are mistakes that are made, there’s vulnerability, and what PMP does so well is that it surrounds us with such talented and supportive people who are there to support you and not compete with you,” says Dudek. “I learned that I needed to ask more questions and make more mistakes. I learned to really listen—musically, I pushed past limits I didn’t even know I had—which instilled a deeper sense of confidence in who I am as a person and as a musician.” SRQ
BOUTIQUE SHOPPING, HOME DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND TRENDS
Holiday
COMPILED BY JENNIFER VILLAGOMEZ PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES
ROBERTS
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Treasures
THE
SAWYER is an energetic boy who recently spent time in a foster home and, we are told, had great house manners. He got along well with the dog in the home, but wasn’t happy about having a cat in his life. Sawyer enjoys his walks and playtime, but is always ready to relax and cuddle on the couch. He’s waiting at Satchel’s Last Resort for his forever home.
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BARK
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Visona/Bordeaux $639, Ripani/ Mixed $519, Cuoieria Fiorentina $389, Italian Idea, 136 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, 941-330-0525, HT Powder
Blue Pearl and Rhinestone Bow Crew Neck Sweater $77, PAC Pink Feelin’ Festive Sweater $89, PAC Wine Weather Sweater $95, Dana Tyler, 233 W Venice Ave #2002, Venice, 941-416-0456. THE GENTLEMAN’S EDIT TT Reversible Polished Gold/ Rope/ CZ Side Push Button Twist Bracelet $59, TT/ Silver Reversible Shrimp Link Push Button Bangle Bracelet $59, TT Rope Cuff Bangle Bracelet $39, TT Sunray CZ Post Earring $49, Dana Tyler, 233 W Venice Ave #2002, Venice, 941-416-0456, Eleganza Italian Leather Briefcase $1,235, Eleganza Sarasota, 1477 Main St, 941-955-8855.
THE MODERN MAN Cufflinks and stud set – semi precious stone in smoke grey, $165, Dress shirt – custom made and designed dress shirt for dual wear as a tuxedo front to accommodate formal studs or incorporates a button tape for every day wear $180, Jacket –made of 100% Italian crushed silk with satin trimming at the peak lapels, besom pockets and cuffed sleeves $2,200, All bow ties are $125, Silk pocket round $95, 100% alligator pocket journal $400, Cravats’ Custom Clothiers, 1530 Dolphin St # 5, Sarasota, 941366-7780, Frequency Jack Henry Perfume $125, Figgy Co, 533 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, 941-210-3888.
STEP INTO THE SEASON Gia Sandal – Fuxia $325, Flavia – Nude $265, Eliza –Lavanda $265, Elena – Asparago $230 Hardy – Hardy Suede Red, $275 T.Georgiano’s, 1409-B 1st St, Sarasota, 941-870-3727, PELCheri Closed Toe Mule-BLSH: 61/2 $198, DOLMYLEE Low Heel Sandal $178, L. Boutique, 556 S Pineapple Ave UNIT B, Sarasota, 941 906-1350, Nutcracker ornament $7, Santa ornament $28, Dreidel ornament $27, Simply Jo’s Boutique, 1950 Main St, Sarasota, 941-361-3213. BELTED Assorted Small Brown Leather Belt with Round Buckle $58, Assorted Small Black Leather Belt with Round Buckle $58, Assorted Large Green Leather Belt with Round Buckle $45, Dana Tyler, 233 W Venice Ave #2002, Venice, 941-416-0456, Red Italian calf Grain Belt $395, TWEEDS, 1423 1st St, 941-841-4918. SANTA PAWS Flower knit leash $22.95, Large Fabdog Floppies Hanukkah Moose $22.95, Dog gift bag $21.95, Wet Nose Groomers, 1465 Main St, Sarasota, 941-388-3647, Woof Dog Treat Forager Puzzle Treats 12 oz $19.99, Always A Prince Crown Cookie $5.99, Pup-Spresso Shot Cookie $2.79, Chill Mates $3.99, Bocce’s Treat Everyday Training Bites Quack Quack Quack 3 oz $4.99, Squishmallows Pet Bed Hans The Hedgehog Small 20” $36.99, Woof Dog Toy Honestchew Antler Small $9.99, Woof Dog Treat Calming Wellness Refill Pops XLarge 12 oz, Woof Holiday Jingle Pops Large $14.99, Dog Perfect, 4820 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-564-0094.
TIED WITH A SPARKLE Flexible Stacking Bangle with round brilliant cut diamonds in yellow gold, $6,320, Flexible Stacking Bangle with round brilliant cut diamonds in white gold, $5,640, Fancy Cut Bangle with emerald cut diamonds in yellow gold, $11,250, Pyramid Profile Bangle with round brilliant cut diamonds in white gold, $7,150, Beaded Mixed Cut Bangle with round brilliant cut and baguette diamonds in yellow gold, $3,320, Bridal Ring Set with platinum engagement ring (center diamond sold separately), $2,980, Wedding bands with marquise diamonds in white gold, $4,200 each, Diamond Vault Jewelers, 3979 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota,941-921-4016. DESIGN BLISS Graham Golden Bear $27, Toy Lab 1437 Main St, Sarasota, 941-3630064, Read Banned Books Coffee Mug $18, Interiors: The Greatest Rooms of the Century $79.95, Extraordinary Things Sticker Book $24.99, Book Journal Rifle Paper CO. $34, Wreck by Catherine Newman $26.99, Bookstore 1, 117 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, 941-365-7900. STOCKING FULL OF WONDER Pink Champagne Tinted Lip Balm $5, Shimmer Tinted Lip Balm $5, Best Sellers Bath Bomb Box Set $26.99, Naples Soap Company, 19790 Wellen Pk Blvd Unit 102, Venice, 941-841-2467, Charles Nutcracker Stocking $30, Simply Jo’s Boutique, 1950 Main St, Sarasota, 941-361-3213, There There Little Bear $12.99, Travel Games & Puzzles $9.99, Cabana Retreat Ravensburger 500 pc Puzzle - Large Piece $19.99, Elephant Lil’ Snuggler $20, Toy Lab 1437 Main St, Sarasota, 941-363-0064, The Wizard of Oz #2 Wooden Pencils $14, Stay Positive Magnet $5.69, Tattly Cat – Fake Tattoos $5.50, Retro Metal Body Ball Point Pens $16, Dual Pencils $8, Natural History Search & Find Puzzle $18.99, Rabbit In Hat Finger puppet $5.96, Charm Cards – 12 Folded Victorian Pocket Notes $19.99.
ENGAGING
READERS THROUGH STORYTELLING
In Conversation
RETIRING GRACEFULLY
A CONVERSATION WITH KATE HYLAND MERCER, MS FINANCIAL ADVISOR
KATHERINE (KATE) HYLAND MERCER founded Ferris Wheel Finance, Inc. as an independent financial planning and investment firm based in Venice, Florida. The firm’s goal is to help clients make wise financial decisions through highly personalized service, depth and breadth of knowledge, trust, and integrity. With over 20 years in finance, engineering, real estate investing, and entrepreneurship, Kate brings a holistic perspective to the planning and educational process of investing and wealth management. Kate continually updates her knowledge in the many facets of the financial industry including securities, insurance, taxes, real estate, and other areas that affect client portfolios. Prior to starting her own firm, Kate was a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors and previously with Edward Jones Investments. Earlier in her career, she successfully founded and operated two consulting companies. Kate’s engineering, software, and financial background allowed her to personally write the software code for the country’s first online banking application for BayBank Financial Institution (now FleetBank), as well as the first hypothetical program for variable annuities and mutual fund performance simulation for financial advisors to use at Putnam Investments. Kate’s unique background includes her Master’s Degree in Computer Science with a focus on Artificially Intelligent Databases which has become very relevant in today’s fast moving AI world. Kate has taught graduate level courses at Harvard University, Boston University and undergraduate courses at the University of Massachusetts. She has been proud to serve on the board of directors for multiple private companies. Ferris Wheel Finance, Inc, 871 Venetia Bay Blvd, Suite 201, Venice, FL 34285, 941-483-3600.
HOW WOULD YOU DEFINE RETIRING GRACEFULLY? KATE HYLAND MERCER Maintaining your respect and dignity in retirement is important, and there are two key ways to achieve that. First, retire to something—don’t just stop working. Second, make sure you’re financially prepared. That might sound like a big challenge, but really it’s about being prepared in every sense—intellectually, financially and in terms
of your lifestyle. What that looks like will be different for everyone
HOW DO YOU ENCOURAGE CLIENTS TO FIND PURPOSE, MEANING AFTER LEAVING FULL-TIME WORK? Most of us who have worked our whole lives get a lot of value and accolades both intellectually and socially by going to work. For many of us, our careers offer a lot more than just a paycheck—they give us intellectual stimulation,
social connection and a sense of accomplishment. When you suddenly stop working, the biggest detriment is not having any plans for your life after that. You could live 20 to 25 years in retirement. I encourage people to retire to something, whether it’s a volunteer position, substitute teaching, picking up a craft that you’ve always wanted to do, just something so you have purpose and accountability through a community.
TRENDS IN FINANCIAL PLANNING
TELL US ABOUT FERRIS WHEEL FINANCE’S GRACEFUL, PURPOSEFUL TRANSITION IN RETIREMENT PLANNING? We have what’s called a spend-down plan—it’s a patented program where we consolidate all your incomes, such as pension, Social Security, a 401(K) or IRA, and we create a budget for living. We update that budget two or three times a year for several years leading up to retirement. We modify it and
SRQ MAGAZINE BRANDED CONTENT PROGRAM | DECEMBER 2025 | INTERVIEWED AND COMPILED BY BARBIE HEIT
make sure our assumptions are correct because people can’t plan for things they can’t see. We’ve used di erent kinds of software in the past, but we found our homegrown tool is the clearest because, to be graceful and purposeful, you have to be prepared. For instance, if I have a $100,000 budget that I can spend every year and I can see that my money’s not going to run out
HOW WOULD YOU SAY THE CONCEPT OF RETIREMENT HAS EVOLVED SINCE EITHER THE FIRM’S FOUNDING OR OVER YOUR CAREER? I don’t knowif it has. I’m very purposeful, and I believe humans need purpose in their lives. I have always believed that you need to retire to something. It is possible that my thinking has changed a little bit
until I’m 95, I can be graceful about retirement in the sense of I don’t have FOMO–I’m not worried about missing out, I’m not complaining because my neighbors are buying a new golf cart or getting a new pool. I’m happy with where I am because I have a plan.
“THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO START SAVING. IN YOUR 40S, YOU ARE PROBABLY PUTTING THE KIDS THROUGH SCHOOL, YOU MAY HAVE YOUR OWN STUDENT LOAN DEBT, CREDIT CARD DEBT AND CARS THAT YOU
HAD TO BUY, SO YOU MIGHT BE HIGH IN DEBT.”
— Kate Hyland Mercer
toward maybe you don’t need to save as much, but I would much rather save too much and be facing retirement saying, “Hey, I can pull an extra $100,000 out to go on a trip to Africa.”
investments with a three-pronged approach, not just in the market. We diversified him into some real estate and some more stable, well-established companies, and then we were able to create an income for him using fi xed income bonds and Tbills in retirement that, coupled with Social Security, caused him to actually be excited to leave work. It happened because we were working with who he was and his values —not using a cookie cutter plan. We are not cookiecutter—we apply a very personalized approach.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY
SOMEONE
HOW WOULD YOU SAY YOUR FIRM DIFFERENTIATES ITSELF WHEN HELPING PEOPLE RETIRE?
There are a couple of di erent ways we di erentiate ourselves in general because we’re a very high-touch boutique fi rm. First, we have an incredibly close relationship with our people. With some of the larger fi rms, if you run into your fi nancial advisor in the supermarket, they may or may not know who you are. We know all of our people by fi rst name. Second, we plan very far ahead. Some of the rules of fi nancial planning include making sure you have enough cash three years out. We fi nd that planning a little earlier or maybe a lot earlier is a real di erentiator. If you’re good at saving, you’re good at saving and you don’t need a lot of coaching, but once you’re done saving and you have to retire, the spending becomes hard because you’ve saved all these years. Having a plan of how you’re going to spend, which is why we call it a spend-down plan, is very di erent for most people.
WHAT ARE THE BASIC FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND TO YOUR CLIENTS WHO WANT TO RETIRE WITH DIGNITY AND SECURITY?
Security comes from feeling confident that you have enough money and that it will outlast you. So the biggest principle that we really help people with is saving—save now, save early and save 15 to 20%. That number changes depending on if you were really responsible at age 20 and you saved well—then you may not need to save 20%. But if you’re like the average person and you really haven’t started saving until age 45 or 50, the number one thing to do is to save. The number two thing, and even Social Security will tell you this, is to get out of debt. Pay o your credit cards, pay o your car. The third principle is similar to getting out of debt and that’s living beneath your means. It’s like what your grandmother taught you: just because you’ve got $100 doesn’t mean you have to spend $110.
HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS BALANCE INCOME LONGEVITY, RISK AND LIFESTYLE GOALS IN RETIREMENT? We have a joke with our clients, and it’s that, “I’m going to plan for you to have a very long life because I don’t want you to move in with me.” So if a client says, “My family has good genes and everybody lived until 85,” I’m going to plan until 92 or 94. If somebody says, “I have terrible genes, I’m going to die at 68,” we still plan to 87. For somebody who’s trying to look at the future and wants to have enough risk to be able to keep up with inflation and pay bills, we actually plan and run scenarios. We plan a chunk of money, let’s say, four years’ worth of money that is immediately usable. If the stock market crashes tomorrow, it doesn’t matter. It’s not a ected and then the rest of the money is invested in something that’s going to earn more than inflation, stay ahead of the curve and actually grow your spending power because it’s such an unknown game. The plan almost has to be broken into two parts—the shortterm part, two to three years into the future and the long-term part, 20 years in the future, and those investments are not the same.
TO
IN THEIR 40s OR 50s WHO HASN’T DONE MUCH IN
THE WAY OF RETIREMENT PLANNING?
SHARE A SUCCESS STORY OF A CLIENT WHO MADE THE TRANSITION INTO RETIREMENT SMOOTHLY. We’ve had a couple of clients transition very well into retirement. We have a gentleman who did not like being invested in the market at all; it was very stressful for him, and he was maybe six to 10 years out from retirement. He also likes to spend money and he’s very generous, so he was going to need a lot of money to be successful in retirement. He had saved a lot, but he wanted to get mostly out of the market. We had lots of conversations, lots of planning and lots of re-evaluating and modeling, making sure he was properly diversified in a way that he could sleep at night. We put him in some very conservative
There’s no time like the present to start saving. In your 40s, you are probably putting the kids through school, you may have your own student loan debt, credit card debt and cars that you had to buy, so you might be high in debt and in the middle of your career. As you get into the 50s, you have to get serious because if you retire early at 65, you have 15 years, which is plenty, but you have to buckle down and work with a professional to see how much you need to save to live the lifestyle you want to have in retirement. That number’s unique for everybody, too, because some people live on $200,000 a year in retirement, and some people live on $50,000. People project what their budget’s going to be, how much they want to spend when they turn 65 or 70. I think that’s one of the hardest parts because they don’t know what inflation is going to be, how much eggs are going to be, the cost of health insurance, etc. Medicare is great, but you also have to make choices about that. If you want to spend $100,000 a year on travel, well, you’ve got to have a lot of money saved. If you live at a lake and you don’t ever want to leave the lake, well, you might not need very much money. We would encourage them to get serious, work with a professional advisor and start saving.
FIRST NAME BASIS
Best friends Jeremy Duclut and Jonathan Warfield show off their culinary talents in their passion project Marcel DW, a French-inspired bistro on Main Street. Dylan Campbell
Below The
green beans with almonds, lemon pepper and
The ambience at Marcel is elegant, yet still intimate; Branzino with lobster, spiraled zucchini, almond aillade and basil. Marcel DW, 1568 Main St, Sarasota, 941-527-0162, marcelsarasota.com
charred
amaretto;
A NIGHT OUT AT MARCEL DW, THE CHARMING EUROPEAN BISTRO ON MAIN STREET, IS A NIGHT OF THE UNEXPECTED. Upon first entering the dimly lit dining space, one is thrust into thoughts of a high-society dinner party—an ornate, diamond-chandelier centers the room and gold vases sit atop crisp, white tablecloths. Will the atmosphere be too posh and stuffy, the food elevated to the point of inaccessibility? Diners will quickly be relieved to find out that the answer, in fact, is no. While the space has the trappings of high society and the fare is definitely elevated, the atmosphere in Marcel radiates a certain kind of warmth, courtesy of the two men behind the restaurant, chef/owners Jeremy Duclut and Jonathan Warfield. “I want the customers to feel welcome as they come in, which helps to have my business partner working up front, because he’s a chef as well,” says Warfield. “It’s a bit of a step outside of the normal direction for both of us, but having him up at the bar gives that personal touch to the customers and tables.”
“We want to be open for everybody,” adds Duclut. “You can come here, have one dish, a nice cocktail and go home, or have five courses, if you feel like it.” Duclut and Warfield purchased the space, then home to Melange and the connected speakeasy Pangea Alchemy Lab in the spring of 2023, with a shared goal: to create an intimate, 3040 seat restaurant where they could express full culinary control over every dish that left the kitchen. The pair operated as Melange for a couple of months before shutting down and transforming into Marcel that fall. “I have run a lot of places for a lot of other people, but this is my first endeavor as an owner,” says
Warfield. “Being able to do it with my best friend of over 20 years is an absolutely perfect scenario for me—I don’t have anybody else to answer to and we have the freedom to create and do what we want to do, how we want to do it. I couldn’t ask for anything else.”
The meal starts off with an unexpected bang in the form of charred green beans, cooked down in an amaretto-brown butter sauce. The dish, Warfield’s take on the French almondine, could challenge even the most devout green bean naysayers to not lick the plate clean. Slivered almonds find their way throughout the pile of charred green beans, bringing a different type of crunch
to the plate. Flecks of bright yellow lemon pepper and fresh parsley anoint the dish with pops of color and flavor.
Everything on the plate, however, is just a vehicle for the sauce. Sweet, sticky, yet with a certain depth from the bastings of brown butter, the amaretto-lemon sauce elevates the traditionally unspectacular green bean into a legume worth coming back for. “You start with a ripping hot pan to get that color on the green beans. You want to do it as fast as possible to lock in that flavor without overcooking the green bean,” says Warfield. While the menu at Marcel has changed with the seasons, this green bean appetizer has
not. The dish is more than just an appetizer, however, it is a sign of what is to come—that every plate that comes out of the kitchen has been handled with a delicate touch.
That skillful touch extends to the sea scallops with cauliflower puree, English peas, mushrooms and truffle. The scallops—panseared to buttery perfection—are just one of the building blocks of the dish. Chef Warfield constructed the plate to build upon layers of flavor and texture, the heartiness of the English peas holding up to the tender scallops and the silky smooth cauliflower puree. “The sweetness of the peas goes with the sweetness of the scallops and the cauliflower puree. That all gets cut with the richness of the truffles, truffle oil and the butter and cream in the puree,” says Warfield. “It’s all building and layering into something more than the individual parts.” While the scallops are first on the call sheet, the truffle demi-glace— infused with lemon juice and fresh herb aromatics—and cauliflower puree threaten to steal the show. The demi-glace and puree ground the dish, quite literally, bringing the flavors of land to the sea.
Constructing a dish around branzino— Mediterranean sea bass—or any kind of flaky, white fish is a high-wire act. The flavor profile of branzino is mild, slightly sweet, and while easily complemented by whatever it’s cooked with, it also runs the risk of being overpowered by the other ingredients that accompany it. Warfield walks that tightrope with precision in the pan-seared branzino that sits atop a bed of lobster, spiraled zucchini and pan sauce derived from an almond aillade and garden pesto. The branzino and lobster alike are tender, flaky affairs that match up well together, the spirals of zucchini evocative of fettuccine pasta and the almond aillade provides a surprising, yet welcome nuttiness that binds the flavors into a cohesive dish. “Aillade is basically another take on a pesto, but it’s more nut-heavy. It’s a thicker, chunkier version of a pesto, but instead of being herb-forward, the base is made from nuts,” says Warfield. “The two types of pesto help create the pan sauce along with the liquid from the zucchini and butter.”
Chocolate is a mysterious thing. Good chocolate is just that—tasty, dependable chocolate—but great chocolate is a time
machine. Great chocolate takes you back to your childhood, to those core memories of licking cake batter off a spoon or swiping an extra glob of frosting with your thumb, a cacao-bean-induced smile plastered on your face. Don’t be surprised if that same smile returns when indulging in the chocolate ganache tartalette, a deceptively simple dessert made excellent by its nimble balance of flavors. A graham cracker tartlet shell is warmed and filled with silky chocolate ganache and topped with a drizzle of sea salt caramel. The dessert is rich, but not overpowering, luscious, but not overly sugary, resulting in a dish that one might not plan on finishing, yet does so anyway. Micro leaves of mint anoint the tartallete, elevating the dessert to the next level. “As of yet, we’re not known as the ‘dessert place,’ and we don’t have the privilege of having an off-site space to make into a dessert bakery area, so most of our desserts are more straightforward,” says Warfield. “That’s the thing about baking— you can use very simple ideas and simple ingredients and still make some great, highquality desserts.” SRQ
giving coast
A MISSION TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE
Ethan Ruben inspires others to fight antisemitism and ignorance through education. Barbie Heit
giving coast
ETHAN RUBEN, A STUDENT WHO RECENTLY TRANSFERRED TO LAKEWOOD RANCH HIGH SCHOOL FROM CARDINAL MOONEY, is leading a remarkable effort to fight antisemitism and ignorance through education. Along with his parents, Aaron and Leslie Ruben, and his brother, Tyler, Ethan has been instrumental in organizing Walk a Teacher to Poland, a fundraiser supporting Classrooms Without Borders’ “Open Minds and Open Hearts” program. This initiative sends middle and high school educators to Poland, where they explore the history of antisemitism, the Holocaust and Jewish life—including modern-day Israel. These lifechanging experiences equip teachers to return home and teach their students how to recognize and actively combat hate.
Ethan’s contributions have been particularly impactful. Through a studentled walk-a-thon at Cardinal Mooney, he raised enough funds to send two of his school’s teachers, along with four other Sarasota educators and one student, to Poland. His leadership went beyond fundraising—he rallied support from across the community, sent personalized thank-you notes and kept donors engaged with regular updates.
While at Lakewood Ranch High where he is on track to graduate early, Ethan remains fully committed to the Walk a Teacher to Poland initiative and is still passionate about sending teachers from Mooney to learn about antisemitism.
“As an educator of the Holocaust, it is my duty and responsibility to understand the magnitude of what happened and to be the voice for the victims who can no longer speak,” said Stefan Gates, a Cardinal Mooney teacher who joined this year’s trip.
The Ruben family has lived in Sarasota on and off since 2003. Ethan credits his deep-rooted commitment to service to his parents’ example. “It’s something I’ve always done—it’s just part of our family. I know I’ve been given a lot of opportunities,” he says.
Ethan’s father, Aaron, is a developer who works between Italy, Iowa and Sarasota. His mother, Leslie, spent 19 years as a teacher at Community Day School and now serves as Chapter Manager for YPO Sarasota Gold, a global network for CEOs. She also volunteers at Cardinal Mooney and serves on the board of Classrooms Without Borders. Leslie was part of the original group that launched the Walk a Teacher to Poland program in 2014. In 2022, Aaron traveled to Poland with his own father as part of the same seminar.
Ethan and his older brother, Tyler, both attended Cardinal Mooney, where they found a supportive environment, despite being part of the school’s small Jewish minority. However, they still encountered antisemitic jokes and ignorance—not from malice, but from a lack of understanding.
This lack of awareness became even more glaring after October 7, when Ethan and Tyler heard peers make statements like “Hitler wasn’t that bad.” The rise in Holocaust denial and misinformation among their generation fueled their resolve to educate and inspire change.
They had seen the transformative effect the Poland trip had on their parents—and on Clare McVey, a beloved Mooney teacher they still call “Auntie Clare.” Inspired
by this, they launched Walk a Teacher to Poland to fund similar experiences for more educators. In the early stages, Ethan handled the technical side—building the website, designing flyers and managing donation platforms—while Tyler led writing and donor outreach. When Tyler left for Duke University, Ethan stepped up to run the full operation. Tyler remains an active advisor, managing social media and continuing to champion the cause.
Ethan excels both in and out of the classroom. Ranked among the top students in his class, he’s a state-level weightlifter, team captain and active in student life. He serves as President of Miracle League (a baseball league for people with disABILITIES), Vice President of Special Olympics, a member of the Robotics Club, Mu Alpha Theta and National Honor Society. Outside of school, Ethan enjoys scuba diving, rock climbing, working out and cheering on the Buffalo Bills. One of his favorite quotes comes from quarterback Josh Allen: “Be good, do good, God bless.” This past summer, he traveled to Belize to help restore coral reefs, combining service with his passion for the environment.
His brother, Tyler, is now a sophomore at Duke University studying Political Science. He’s a member of Sigma Chi and volunteers with Blue Devil Buddies, a campus organization supporting students with disabilities. For young people looking to make a difference, Ethan offers this advice: Start small. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Choose something you truly care about. When you’re passionate about your cause, it’s easier to stay motivated and avoid burnout. Looking back on his journey, Ethan is both humbled and proud. “I never imagined that the small project I started two years ago would grow into something so much bigger. I just hope my story inspires others to step up and help their community.”
SRQ Ethan Ruben was honored as a Good Hero by SRQ Magazine in December 2024.
Below: Ethan Ruben with his mom, Leslie.
ONCE UPON A TIME, IN A TOWN CALLED SARASOTA, THERE LIVED TWO MEN WITH THE SAME FIRST NAME—THOUGH SPELLED A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY—AND A SHARED REPUTATION FOR DOING GOOD DEEDS. These two 60-somethings, once known as the “bad boys” of their youth, never followed the expected route. College never called to them, yet both found their way into philanthropy in 2012, after forging very different careers. One was a native Floridian who roamed the wilds of Osprey, became a passionate environmental advocate and served in public office.The other grew up in a small town in Massachusetts, joined the Marines at 17 and later made his mark in public policy. Today, these men—great storytellers, master connectors and quiet heroes—are pillars of the community. They give without hesitation, serve without seeking the spotlight and lift others in ways many will never see.
This is the story of two men with different journeys but a shared legacy of impact.
A TALE
WRITTEN BY BARBIE HEIT PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
JOHN ANNIS AND JON THAXTON SHARE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED THEIR PHILANTHROPIC CAREERS.
This spread, left to right: John Annis and Jon Thaxton.
THE STORY OF JON THAXTON
Long before Jon Thaxton became a respected leader at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, shaping transformative policy and advocating for housing, health and the environment, he was just a stubborn redheaded kid from Osprey who liked to explore. Born into a fifth-generation Sarasotan family and raised on a farm in the space that is now Roessler’s Restaurant, Jon’s earliest memories were in the undeveloped land of what would later become Palmer Ranch. It was his playground, his classroom and eventually the foundation for his life’s work.
A LIFELONG ADVOCATE—His first act of advocacy came during his fifth-grade year. That was when Jon wrote his first letter to the editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, outraged over the financial burden of public litter clean-up. “It was un-American to litter,” he wrote, arguing that it raised taxes for everyone else. Looking back, he sees that short letter as the catalyst: “I guess I never had a choice about saving the environment.”
The next defining moment came as a teenager, standing in front of a map of the proposed I-75 route. Jon, an avid outdoorsman and budding conservationist, saw more than lines on a page—he saw a path plowing through Sarasota’s best wetlands and wildlife habitats.
Empowered by instinct and quad maps, he wrote to the Florida Department of Transportation. He was ignored. He sent it again and was ignored again. “They built the interstate based upon what powerful people owned with total disregard for wetlands and natural areas. But I was hooked. I’ve done environmental public advocacy from that day till today,” he says.
Behind every force of change is an inspiration. For Jon, that someone was Bill Wimish, his high school biology teacher. A fellow hunter, Wimish took Jon’s love for the outdoors and gave it structure, scientific grounding and purpose. “I understood the habitat,” Jon says. “It made me a better fisherman, a better hunter and a better conservationist.” There was also Colonel Walker, Jon’s civics teacher, whose lessons in government stayed with him through his 12 years as a Sarasota County Commissioner. Both mentors passed before he could thank them, a regret Jon carries—but one he turns into advice for today’s educators: “Don’t wait for a thank you. Teach like it matters. Because it does.”
Jon’s teenage years were not what most of his admirers today would expect. “I was a bad apple,” he says with a grin. A few arrests, skipped school and the end of his Boy Scout troop shaped a wild period in his life. At one
point, nearly every scout in his troop was on probation—including Jon. In a full-circle twist, his first campaign donation came from his former probation officer. “He wrote the check and drew a smiley face in the memo line. I never cashed it. I still have it,” he says. Since joining the Gulf Coast Community Foundation in 2012, Jon has led initiatives that have reshaped the region: systems of care for the homeless, healthier food distribution, stronger affordable housing policies and environmental efforts like the Water Quality Playbook and the expansion of Legacy Trail. He’s been a driving force behind The Bay Park and remains a fierce defender of the land that shaped him.
Mark Pritchett, the retired CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation and current Board Member of The Bay Park Conservancy—who promoted Jon to Vice President for Community Leadership when he became President and CEO of the Foundation—has too many memories to fit in this story, but a few stand out as favorites (and funniest): “I met Jon when I first came to Sarasota back in 2008. We were meeting at Millie’s for breakfast, and I didn’t know the area well. I told him I was running a little late because I was having trouble finding it. He asked where I was and I said, ‘I think I’m going north on Clark Road,’ and he said, ‘No, Clark Road runs east-west, not north-south.’ He’s never let me live that down—he thought that was hilarious. Great first impression.” He also recalled Jon’s “little boy innocence” and forgetfulness: “He’s left his phone in different places around the office so many times. I smile every time I think about it.” And perhaps his favorite observation: “Jon goes to a lot of events to represent the Foundation, and he’s always one of the first to leave but you never know it. He’s known for just slipping out the back when nobody’s looking. He takes great pride in that!”
“Much of the progress Sarasota has made on homelessness in the past decade can be
traced—often quietly—to Jon’s leadership. In my view, he’s the unsung hero of the effort. At a time when it was hard to get city and county officials on the same page, Jon was the one person who could bring people together and help craft a unified, multi-pronged strategy,” says local philanthropist, volunteer and author Jim Doyle. “I’ll admit, Jon also had to teach me a few things—especially about patience, which doesn’t always come naturally to entrepreneurs. One day, he told me something that stuck: Entrepreneurs are like motorboats on a river. They can move fast—but if they’re not careful, they capsize. Government is like a barge. It takes a long, long time to get it moving. But once it’s headed in the right direction, it’s almost impossible to stop. Jon Thaxton did more than anyone else to get that barge moving in the right direction in Sarasota. And I know homelessness is just one of many areas where his fingerprints are all over the progress we’ve made.”
“Jon Thaxton stands out for his broad curiosity and thoughtful engagement across housing, the arts and environmental issues— qualities rare in a world of specialists,” adds Joe McKenna, president & CEO of the Sarasota Orchestra. “He’s deeply committed to making things better, from local youth programs to cross-sector housing efforts. Jon listens, seeks understanding and motivates others to act. A fan of the Constitution and Federalist Papers, his work is rooted in fairness and civic values. Our community is fortunate to have someone like him.”
SWIMMING WITH THE DOLPHINS—Jon’s relationship with dolphins spans decades, from swimming with Flipper as a kid in Key West to becoming a trained member of Sarasota’s marine mammal rescue team. There was even a wild night as a teenage dishwasher at a local Holiday Inn when after stealing some cheap wine, Jon and his friends took
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN.
a drunken midnight swim with two relocated dolphins. “We were drunk as skunks,” he laughs. Now, Jon assists in Sarasota Bay’s renowned dolphin health assessments— precise, collaborative efforts with marine scientists from around the world. “Each dolphin has a name, a family tree. It’s mindblowing,” he says. “I am the most fortunate redneck from Osprey that’s ever been.”
THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW AT JON’S HOUSE—Beyond conservation, Jon is a superfan of The Andy Griffith Show. With thousands of memorabilia pieces, he owns the world’s largest private collection. Every few years, his home becomes a full-blown Mayberry museum, packed from floor to ceiling with nostalgic pieces. When he heard Ron Howard—who played Opie on the show—was visiting Ringling College, Jon called in a favor. “I needed some photos signed,” he says. Ron obliged and Jon added a few prized autographs to his one-of-a-kind collection.
DANCING WITH DREW—Jon met the love of his life over 30 years ago. About Drew— a former juvenile probation officer—Jon says “It was love at first sight for me,” he laughs. “She was dancing, surrounded by admirers, and I waited for my shot.” Their first dance was a waltz, and they’ve been dancing together ever since. “I was attracted to her beauty, and she was attracted to me because she thought she could fix me. Only half of that’s true,” he says.
AND THEN CAME ROCKY—During COVID, Jon embraced a new wardrobe, a beard and a dog named Rocky. After losing him briefly to a change of heart from the prior owners, Jon and Drew bought him back—for $1,000. “Two days later, they offered us $2,000 to take him back. We said, ‘No way.’ He’s not for sale. He’s our baby,” recalls Jon.
A STORY STILL UNFOLDING—From a boy scribbling letters to the editor to a man orchestrating regional transformations, Jon Thaxton’s journey is proof that passion, purpose and even a little rebellion can shape a life of extraordinary impact.
Vice President of Community Leadership at Gulf Coast Community Foundation, ERIN MINOR, shares how both men have made a significant impact in the community and with her, personally: “For decades, Jon and John have stood as pillars of our community—steadfast public servants whose brilliance, humor and integrity have shaped the very fabric of civic life. They have championed what is right and good for all, often leading with courage even when the path was not easy or popular. Their vision and advocacy have not only left a lasting mark on our community but have also deeply influenced me personally. As mentors, they guided me with wisdom and conviction; as confidants and friends, they offered support, encouragement and perspective at pivotal moments in my work. Their example has been both a standard to aspire to and a source of strength, reminding me that leadership is about service, character and heart. Their legacy is written not only in the progress of our community but in the lives they have touched along the way—including mine.”
President and CEO of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and former president and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, TERI HANSEN, hired Jon Thaxton when he joined Gulf Coast in 2012 and John Annis when he joined Barancik in 2018. “I was at Gulf Coast and John was at the Community Foundation. He was head of grants there. After sitting through some meetings, I quickly realized we were of like minds—that we saw problems in the community in a similar way. So as I was staffing up, there was no question that we would hire him. Chuck Barancik just loved him and so I hired him. I became known as “the chief thief” because I stole all the good employees from other organizations . . . and I was totally good with that!” she says. “John has been a great connector for the Foundation to a lot of the organizations that are small, upcoming grassroots that we might not have otherwise found. I call him ‘my fixer’— I give him a problem and he solves it. For his retirement, I’ve given him a five-year offramp, with the working days gradually tapering off each year. I think it’ll be great for the Foundation and great for the new CEO.” She adds that like Thaxton, Annis has a great sense of humor: “He’s got this big truck and in the back there’s a flatbed with this big cover that you can remove and it’s a big kind of pit. He said ‘if you’re ever missing, they should probably check this place first. That’s where I’ll put you!’ Life is boring when John Annis is not here.”
THE STORY OF JOHN ANNIS
In a small town in Massachusetts where everyone knew each other by name, John Annis grew up surrounded by the quiet strength of community. His father, who started as a truck driver and gravel worker, eventually became the town’s chief of police. But big titles like this meant little where John came from. “We didn’t think in terms of rich or poor,” he reflects. “Everyone helped everyone. That’s just what you did.” That early exposure to a values-driven, tight-knit environment shaped John’s worldview in lasting ways. Even during his “bad boy” teenage years—protected, as he jokes, by a town good at keeping secrets—he learned about trust, loyalty and responsibility. Lessons that would serve him well later, both in the United States Marine Corps and in philanthropy.
FROM MARINE TO MISSION-DRIVEN LEADER—John’s path to leadership was not paved with expectations or strategic career moves. It was driven by curiosity, service and a desire to make things better. After serving 24 years in the Marine Corps and retiring as a sergeant major—his dream rank—he sought a change of pace. That change came at the Herald-Tribune, where he started as a junior staffer counting papers. It didn’t take long before John began spotting inefficiencies, asking questions and climbing through the ranks to become director of customer services and a member of both the executive team and editorial board. His next stops at the Collins Center for Public Policy and later the Community Foundation of Sarasota County broadened his under-
“John Annis is a champion of the impossible,” says LUZ CORCUERA, the now-retired executive director of UnidosNow. “He was instrumental in the 2Generation work in Sarasota-Manatee. I worked closely with him while implementing the intergenerational leadership program at UnidosNow for low-income, first-generation college students. John understood that it was critical to empower parents to engage in their children’s educational attainment.” Corcuera remembers with fondness the evening John met with UnidosNow parents to learn about their fundraising efforts to join their children on a two-day college tour to Florida universities. “John helped obtain additional funds to support a life-changing experience for these families. He was a regular speaker in the UnidosNow college prep program, promoting building social capital and developing networking skills. He was our go-to person when students wanted to connect with professionals and opportunities in the community to learn about a variety of professions, taking the time to accompany students on some career exploration days. I am grateful that during my tenure at UnidosNow, I had his support as a trusted mentor, a friend and the magician who made things happen. John is a passionate community leader, an inspiration to many of us, and someone who believes in collective power.”
standing of how complex issues like poverty, education and policy are interwoven. At the Community Foundation, he was hired into a role for which he did not at all feel qualified. “I had never made a grant in my life,” he laughs. “But the people around me—Patricia Martin, Susie Bowie, Jon Thaxton—they were generous with their time and knowledge. I just listened and learned.”
Jim Doyle first met John in 2015 when he had established a fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota to help address homelessness in our community. “At that time, John worked at the Foundation, and his job was to help guide donors like me. But I quickly realized John was much more than a capable advisor— he was a remarkable force for good,” Doyle says. “He struck me as a rare combination: the laser-focused discipline of a retired Marine, paired with a deep compassion and drive to serve. Together, we explored a wide range of possible solutions. John didn’t care who got the credit. The approach we ultimately funded wasn’t connected to his foundation at all. That didn’t matter to him—he just wanted to solve the problem. Over the years, I’ve seen that same spirit show up again and again. John is mission-driven, not ego-driven. He asks the hard questions, keeps his eye on the goal and always leads with heart.”
Sarasota wasn’t part of John’s original plan. But it was always part of his wife, Regina’s heart. A Sarasota native, she and John met in the Marine Corps and married over 35 years ago. After trying out Sarasota as a potential retirement destination in 2002, they never
left. “We were just testing it out,” John says with a smile. “Now we have grandkids living here, so the test is complete.”
John brought his deep sense of duty, humility and big-picture thinking to the Barancik Foundation in 2018. He quickly became a force behind the scenes—guiding investments in education, humanitarian aid, arts and culture, the environment and medical research. As Senior Vice President of Collaboration and Impact, he wasn’t just overseeing grantmaking—he was weaving connections between organizations, ideas and people.
In May 2025, he transitioned to a new role as Senior Advisor. It’s a shift in title, but not in purpose. Now, he works at a higher level, helping nonprofits build resilience and pushing the region toward more collaborative, transformative philanthropy.
THE ASPEN YEARS—A decade ago, John was selected as an Ascend Fellow at the Aspen Institute, a prestigious program focused on breaking intergenerational poverty by supporting both children and the adults in their lives. That experience reminded him of something fundamental: “Too often, people in my position think they know more than the people who are actually doing the work. The people we’re serving are the ones facing the real nonsense. Our job is to help get the nonsense out of their way so they can be as efficient as possible,” he says. Through Ascend, John met some of the most thoughtful changemakers of his life. It reinforced his dedication to the frontline nonprofits doing the real work on the ground.
THE WRONG JO(H)N—Not every day in John’s professional life has gone according to plan. One day, while still at the Community Foundation, he was invited to speak to a group that seemed very excited to have him. When he arrived at the event, he realized why: they thought they had booked former County Commissioner Jon Thaxton. “I called Jon from the parking lot as soon as I figured it out,” John says, chuckling. “He was on his way there, too. I told him, ‘I’m leaving. You can have it. I’m going to get ice cream instead.’”
PAPA JOHN—Perhaps his most cherished title these days is not “Senior Advisor” or “Sergeant Major”—it’s “Papa.” John’s grandchildren, Amaya (5) and Dahlia (1), live just minutes away. “It’s incredible,” he says, with unmistakable joy. “They’re so beautiful. So much fun. I get to be a part of their lives every day.”
A CONNECTOR FOR COMMUNITY
CHANGE—Whether building military teams, fixing newspaper systems, transforming nonprofits or guiding family-focused philanthropy, John Annis has always been a connector. He connects ideas, people and purpose. He sees communities not as problems to be solved, but as networks of neighbors lifting one another up—just like in that small Massachusetts town where he grew up. Here in Sarasota, he’s still doing what he’s always done: listening, learning and helping good people do good work. The titles may have changed. The mission has not.
“John Annis often contributes to individuals in ways that matter most—honesty, encouragement, social capital, and quiet giving,” says President and CEO of The William G. and Marie Selby Foundation, SUSIE BOWIE. “These may not be recognizable to anyone other than one person at a time and those with their circle, but they are the bits that change the trajectory of lives and the bits you never forget.”
Joint Q&A
You both entered philanthropy in 2012, completely unplanned. What brought you here?
JON THAXTON I was a threeterm county commissioner. I was running for my fourth term, again unopposed. I had well over $100,000 in the bank and I was the only candidate raising $100,000. Then all of a sudden, the Supreme Court of Florida makes a reversal of jurisprudence that they have upheld for decades and Sarasota County had a charter provision that made term limits unconstitutional. So the Supreme Court says, “Well, we changed our mind. It is now constitutional despite the fact that the constitution says it’s not constitutional.” And so I was the first elected official in the state of Florida to be kicked out of office by the Supreme Court. So here I am, going from de facto elected to not even being able to qualify to run. It was devastating. I got a call a couple days later from Dan Bailey, saying, “You should think about one of the foundations.” Less than 24 hours later, I got a call from Teri Hansen asking me what I’m going to do with the rest of my life. At the time, I couldn’t spell philanthropy and I thought, “What the heck— let’s do it. That’s it.”
JOHN ANNIS Similar other than I’ve never been elected, I was a head of our homes association for a little bit of time. I didn’t even vote for myself for that and hated that idea of being involved in that at all. The Community Foundation was
looking for someone and my name was suggested and even though I felt totally unqualified, I did six or seven interviews after they first called me. One of the times they asked if I had any questions and I said, “My only question is, how many other candidates do you have?” They said, “Oh, we don’t have any other candidates.” I was the only candidate and they still couldn’t make a decision till after six interviews! At the first one, Roxy actually hugged me and said, “We love you.” I told my wife that and she said, “Well, they obviously don’t love you that much because you still are not getting a job offer.”
So that’s how I stumbled into philanthropy.
You’re both known as great connectors. In just a few words, what does that actually mean in your day-to-day work?
ANNIS Actually, I’m going to weave Jon into this. I think part of that connection is—and I know that both of us have this—we’re thinking about what the outcome is that we want to achieve. What’s the destination and who are the people that can help us get there?
One of the projects I was working on at the Community Foundation had involved homelessness. The county and city ordinances are really complicated and I could have spent a month trying to put all that in my brain to just try to figure out how to give the best advice to this one donor. Then I thought, “why would I do that when Jon Thaxton
is a phone call away? I’ll just call Jon and ask him to come to the Community Foundation and talk to this donor about all the things he has rolling around in his head.” I thought that was really smart of me! That donor is still friends of both of ours and talks about Jon and me both telling him not to invest his money at that moment into homelessness because the county and the city were fighting. He held the money the market actually did better. He made $35,000 on his investment while he was sitting there doing nothing and then he did end up investing that money into some homeless stuff with both foundations and since then has helped to start Second Heart Homes, which now has 12 homes. Jon’s background and our advice together was what made him make a smart decision, and that has worked for me over and over again. I am not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I do, like Jon, know a lot of other people that are really good at other things. Why not get input from the great talent we have in this community to get other ideas and then push back and get other perspectives?
THAXTON That homeless system that the anonymous donor put together is still the same homeless system that this county is working on today. I was at a meeting the other day and we’re having a hard time getting interest in homelessness because, compared to four or five years ago, when there were six homeless people on every corner
panhandling all over the streets, 150 outside the Salvation Army, 30 or 40 outside the Resurrection House, there’s hardly any of that anymore. For a county of a half a million people to have that as the homeless in this economic situation, we’re a standout and it’s because of the cooperation that we had and because this one donor fronted us the money and he’s an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are all different but they have one thing in common. Impatience. To play off of what John said, I am Sarasota’s master of stealing great ideas. All of my great accomplishments, the environmentally sensitive land, the Sarasota Bayfront, the Legacy Trail, the homeless, all of these things that people give me credit for doing were ideas that I stole from someone else and they work because, as John said, we’re not the experts, but we know who the experts are. And that’s the key.
When you both look back at your careers, is there one moment that you can talk about that stands out to be especially meaningful?
ANNIS There’s one that always comes to mind for me and it involves the Season of Sharing campaign. I was at the Herald Tribune when they started Season of Sharing. Then I went to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County where they actually managed the Season of Sharing campaign and frequently we would get big gifts. There’d be a $100,000 gift or there’d be
a $50,000 gift and they’d raised millions of dollars. I remember one day Lori, who’s at the front desk, called me and said, “You’ve got to read this letter.” Inside the envelope were five one dollar bills and the woman had written that she had benefited from Season of Sharing previously and she was finally in a position where she could give back so she sent five $1 bills in an envelope. That note saying ‘I took someone else’s money, now I want to be part of the solution,’ that was a good one for me.
THAXTON I don’t even know if I can compete with that one—it’s very, very touching. Each time that we are successful at the polls in raising money to purchase environmentally sensitive land and park land in Sarasota, for me that’s the greatest feeling because I know that these are the longest lasting and most enduring things that I’m ever going to do. Parks are around for hundreds and hundreds of years and I’ve been a part of 30 or 40 parks in Sarasota. And for instance, when I drive by Red Bug Slough Preserve and I see all of these cars and all of these children enjoying the park and I know that if I weren’t there advocating for that park, it would be a condominium development. There’s nothing wrong with a condominium development, but parks are really cool and they’re really rewarding in that way. So that’s always my best memory and it’s kind of a recurring thing.
What do you hope your legacy, both professionally and personally?
THAXTON That’s easy for me. If you go to Google Earth and zoom in on Southwest Florida, you’ll see this huge green blob in eastern Sarasota County, and it represents 135,000 acres of natural lands. That’s it. That’s my legacy. It’s huge. It is so big that were you to be fortunate enough to hitch a ride on the International Space Station and you looked out the window as it was flying over the eastern seaboard, you’d be able to see this thing. It’s so large you can see it from outer space.
ANNIS That is very cool. For me it’s more about answering the phone. People still seem to be surprised when they call and I answer the cell phone. You tell me what you’re thinking about. I tell you how I think we might be able to help or not. We still have to say no on occasion, but I want to be willing to talk and collaborate, try to figure out a way or give you a suggestion and maybe something else that might work. I love introducing people who may be able to do something even if we’re not involved. I get a lot of joy out of knowing that the ability to get small nonprofits in the right funding stream or help them get better at what they’re doing is something I’m really good at.
On to the fun questions. You’ve both been called ‘bad boys’ in your youth. I’d like you to each share one story and we can let our readers decide which one of you was the biggest bad boy.
ANNIS I don’t think I want this in print because I’m not sure the statute of limitations expired! My dad was in the police department at the time. One of my best friend’s sister bought a car and it was a lemon and she tried everything to try to give the car back and it kept breaking down. So, we decided that we would steal her car and then burn it so she could collect the insurance money. We took the keys, had an extra key made and we stole her car one night, brought it to an open area, filled it with gasoline, and then—because we hadn’t paid enough attention in science class—thought that if we made a trail of gasoline, we could light it from far away and we lit the match. Immediately, everything exploded. It burned the car tires. It burned it right down so that they couldn’t even find the VIN eventually. My dad investigated the case and of course they couldn’t solve it because he had no idea how it had happened. I’m living in the same house with the guy! My friend’s sister eventually got the insurance money for it. I may think of something less bad boy but yeah, that was pretty awful.
That was bad and you might have won already, but let’s hear Jon Thaxton’s story.
ANNIS Oh, no. I bet Jon should probably be in prison right now. His could have happened this week. Mine was at least back years ago.
THAXTON Yeah. I don’t know which one to choose. I’ve been arrested five times, put in jail four times. All of my crimes are crimes against property. I never committed a crime against a human being. I’m not a violent person, although I was suspended twice for fighting but let’s go with this one: I was at a Styx concert and got arrested for copious amounts of cocaine and spent two nights in the Polk County Jail and that one’s bad. But I was also involved in two arson incidents on the same day. So, this is after I got arrested for shoplifting at Publix when I stole an 18-cent can of potato sticks. Before we went in to do the shoplifting, a friend and I were smoking cigarettes outside of the Venice High School Planetarium, which was made of fiberglass. We thought, ‘man, this thing would blow like crazy’ so, we lit it on fire. We burned down the school planetarium. Then we went over to Publix and we started another fire. They had a bunch of cardboard boxes lying around, so we lit them on fire with lighter fluid. Then to top it all off, we went into Publix and I stole the can of potato sticks with $35 in my pocket. They detained me at Publix. The fire department’s outside putting out the fire and by this time, the planetarium’s already burned to the ground. Detective Slater picks me up at Venice High School, puts me in the back of a
detective car and drives me to the jail, reads me my rights and puts me in. This is when the Venice Police Department had a jail, a small holding cell on Venice Avenue. I get on the phone and I call my dad. I’m 16 years old and he just picks up the phone and said, “What’d you do this time?” Of course, I didn’t tell him about the fires. I just said, “I got arrested for shoplifting.” He asks “How much was it? I say, “It was on sale. It was only 18 cents!” He asks “How much money do you have?” I say, “I don’t know, maybe $40, $35.” Click. He hung up the phone and made me spend two days in jail. I found out later that it traumatized my brothers and sisters severely that our father made their big brother and his oldest son spend two days and an overnight in jail. Shortly thereafter I dropped out of high school for the second time. I did ultimately go back and finish. I had a terrible grade point average. Marijuana is the worst thing in the world to do to a young mind. It’s just terrible. You can’t focus. All you can do is dream and be creative, which is not good. Might be good when you’re in your 30s and you’re working on art, but it’s not good for high school.
ANNIS This reminded me of a lesser felony. At the Marine Corps, I went through boot camp, got promoted and I’m now at Camp Pendleton, sitting with some friends on the beach passing a joint back and forth. The waves are crashing, everything’s beautiful, and as I’m passing the joint, someone reaches in and takes it out of my hand. It’s the military police
so, I’m thinking, my career is going to end that day. Luckily, he gave me a second chance. I had worked really hard to get to that point and that was going to ruin it for me. I would have had to go back home, tell my dad that I got kicked out of the Marine Corps for smoking dope on the beach. That would not have gone over well.
THAXTON I also had a cocaine arrest at the Lakeland Civic Center at the Styx concert but Michael Resnik was my local attorney and he got the charges reduced from felony cocaine to misdemeanor marijuana and got those records expunged. But John said something that’s really important. I’m very fortunate because I had four arrests. With that I’m thinking, I’m going to be washing dishes if I’m still alive. But I did a talk recently at the Harvest House Home Again luncheon and part of my presentation was that second chances are for rookies—I needed a fifth chance and that’s only counting the times I got arrested but I’m only successful to the degree that I am today because people gave me the chances. For me, the critical piece was I had two parents that never gave up on me. Neither did my brothers or sisters or my grandmother. My entire family—as much pain and suffering and embarrassment as I caused them because I’m the only one in the family this way. But they never left me.
ANNIS That’s something else we have in common. I also was locked in a cell, but it was more about a
battle of who’s going to surrender. I go into the cell and my dad closes that door and he says basically, let me know when you’re ready to go out. I thought, I’ll just take a nap. So, I laid down in the cell and then it became a battle of wills. I’m not going to ask to be released, you’re gonna have to come and let me out. My dad has a much stronger will than I like. Four hours later, I’m still in the cell but I’m not going to ask to be released. I’ll just stay here. Eventually, someone else came and let me out but my dad had already left and that was my ride. I started walking home and fortunately, someone recognized me and took me home. Dad never mentioned it to me. I never mentioned it to him. I like to think I won because I didn’t ask to be released. He probably thinks he won.
How would you describe one another in one sentence?
ANNIS When big issues come up, Jon is going to give you smart advice. So it’s not only that he’s going to listen to the issue, but he’s going to figure out a strategic approach to problem solving. Because sometimes, my emotions get in the way. I am angry about this. I want to do this. And Jon will say, ‘I get that. You’re pissed. And you should be pissed. Now, let’s move beyond that. What are we going to do now to try to make this happen?’ Jon is a trusted and respected problem solver.
THAXTON I knew about John before I knew John. I just remember him working on the
Health and Human Services Committee for years and years and to his credit, he built it. When I look back at the number of lives that have been changed, the number of lives that have been saved as a result of this of this program, I’ve always given John credit for it. Because although there is no such thing as a perfect government program, it is so well put together and I’ve just always thought of John as one of the top philanthropic leaders in this community. I put him right up there with Teri Hansen or any of the CEOs in Sarasota County that we’ve seen. And that’s some pretty heavy hitters!
Much of your work is done in the public eye, but you do plenty more official and unofficial work to help organizations and individuals without the public knowing. Why do you do this under the radar?
THAXTON Well, if you go back and look at all these parks and the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Campaign that’s now raised almost half a billion dollars, you won’t find my name associated with any of those, but they’re all my babies. I built them from the ground up. The parks, the Legacy Trail Campaign— these were thoughts I had when I was 15, 16 years old, when I first discovered those railroad tracks. Forty years later, this guy named Bruce Dylan says, “Man, this railroad track would make a cool trail.” I thought it would too and I ran with it. The reason you do it behind the scenes is because that’s
how you get stuff done. If people know that you’re going to be taking credit for it, if you’re going to be in there hogging all the glory, you’re not going to get anything done.
ANNIS I know there are people in positions now who I helped when they were students or who shared a thought that they might want to do at some point. I get a lot of personal satisfaction, particularly as someone who has benefited from being a straight white Christian male. I have benefited a lot because of that privilege, and I try to give back to others in the community who don’t have the same access that I have had. I feel like I have to open doors for others. I think it’s also good for Sarasota. Every brilliant student that I can get to leave and come back and want to do more good things in Sarasota is good for our community. Sometimes, that’s better to do very quietly and not make it public. Someone who works for my financial adviser now was a student I met who was going to school to become a financial adviser. When she finished her schooling, she called me three months before graduation and said, “I’m ready to start doing applications.” I said “send me your resume. Tell me where you want to work and we’ll start introducing you to people,” and every single person I introduced her to thanked me. She speaks two languages, she just graduated from FSU, she’s local. The joy I get from thinking about how happy she is at her employer right now is amazing—it’s almost like Jon’s Google Earth story. I love
doing that behind the scenes very quietly. Also, I’ve been fortunate to do okay financially, so I can make financial gifts on my own through a donor advice fund that I still have that doesn’t have my name on it. I feel good about that too.
You’re both very welltraveled. Is there a community outside of Sarasota that you think we should consider as a cohort city that is an inspiration for our future?
ANNIS Actually, I think most of the places I’ve gone within the US, when I tell them about Sarasota, it’s usually the opposite. We are so fortunate, with the arts and the philanthropy and how closely we really do work together. We have some things to complain about for sure. The school board, hospital board, county commission, you can pick out things if you want to, but we really are doing pretty well. I don’t think there are any places I’ve gone where I’ve said, “I wish Sarasota could be more like this.” I’m pretty proud of what’s happening in Sarasota/Manatee at different stages. Our chamber of commerce being the chamber of the year—we’ve got some good things happening here.
THAXTON I love to travel. Most of my travels are around birds. I travel to find rare birds and then as a result of finding rare birds, I meet really fascinating cultures. My aspirations for Sarasota are limitless. I really think that we have opportunities here that most
communities are just envious of. I go to Asheville on a regular basis and I love the funk of Asheville. I love going to Europe. I’m a bit of a foodie and a red wine person, so I love going to Spain, Italy and the like, but no, I’m like John. I think people consult with us about things that we’ve done here in Sarasota. We recently republished our water quality playbook and we got some national attention for that.
You’re both transitioning gradually into new roles. What comes next for both of you? You’re not retiring, I know that!
ANNIS No, I actually have said this before and a lot of people have been asking since we signed this contract. It’s not lost on me that the last year of my professional career, I’ll be working one day a week doing something that I would do for free and I would be making more money than my dad made in his highest earning year as a police officer. I know he would be proud of that. He’d also be pissed about it! That would be something that he would be pissed about. I know I will continue to be working with nonprofits and trying to do good things in this community and in Manatee County and DeSoto County. I’m looking forward to growing up with my grandchildren. I want to be the best papa I can be and be a better husband and do all those cool things that I’ve wanted to do for many years and just keep putting off. So with this gift from the Barancik Foundation, it truly is
the opportunity to continue to do really good work and stay plugged in, but also do it with people that I love working with.
THAXTON I definitely want to do a lot more traveling. Both my wife and I love to travel. Fortunately, I’ve had good bosses who’ve pretty much just let me do whatever I want to do, but I don’t do whatever I want to do. I’m very much, believe it or not, very constrained. I’m done with being constrained. I’m 68 years old. I have a finite number of years. I’ve put myself in a place where I have had a front row seat at some of the most significant decisions, meeting some of the most significant people for 50 years now. I have a lot of stories I want to tell.
ANNIS Another very important thing I’d like to share is that I will continue to serve as a volunteer guide at Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery. I helped to raise the first flag there when it was dedicated and unfortunately had to return back there in 2024 to place my son’s ashes in a columbarium. He ended his life on January 20. One of the ways I’ve honored his memory was to become an official guide there. I “passed” my test on January 20, 2025 and have been taking people on tours since. It’s a great opportunity to visit Anthony and share lots about the amazing gift The Patterson Foundation gave our community. SRQ
A PLACE TO CALL HOME
SARASOTA, WHILE IT MAY BE AN IDEAL COMMUNITY FOR MOST, FACES HOUSING CHALLENGES THAT MAKE IT UNATTAINABLE TO MANY.
TO BOTH LOCALS AND TOURISTS, OUR COMMUNITY APPEARS TO BE NOTHING SHORT OF PARADISE— an oasis of palm trees, crystal-clear waters, luxury resorts and brand new, amenity-filled developments popping up all the time. But behind the perfect image lies a growing housing crisis, one that affects the very people who keep our paradise running: hotel staff, servers, nurses, teachers, maintenance crews— and more vulnerable residents, including veterans, formerly incarcerated individuals and families struggling to get by on limited income. As property values rise and short-term vacation rentals flood the market, affordable housing has become increasingly scarce. Essential workers are being pushed farther from their jobs, forced into long commutes just to make ends meet.
WRITTEN BY
BARBIE HEIT
PHOTOGRAPHY BY WYATT KOSTYGAN
This spread, left to right: Stacey Rickelmann of Project 180, Jon Thaxton of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Megan Howell of Second Heart Homes and Katie McCurry of Harvest House
These organizations and partnerships are stepping up to address this crisis—through funding, counseling, advocacy and philanthropy, they’re working to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
SECOND HEART HOMES
WITH A MISSION TO RESTORE DIGNITY TO THE HOMELESS AND THOSE WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES THROUGH HOUSING, SUPPORT AND LOVE, SECOND HEART HOMES—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2019— provides housing and critical services to homeless adults in the Sarasota and Bradenton areas who are committed to addressing their mental health. Serving Sarasota and Bradenton, the organization operates 11 homes for 68 individuals dedicated to managing their mental health and rebuilding their lives. Residents must be able to perform daily living tasks and actively work toward personal goals and independence.
Founder and Executive Director Megan Howell notes that homelessness and housing issues in the region have escalated dramatically. “The housing crisis is affecting people of all ages at a higher rate than ever,” she explains. “Probably half the residents in our program are over 55, and it’s so sad—you work your whole life, and maybe one unfortunate thing happens and what do you do? Home ownership is probably not an option for a lot of people in those circumstances.”
Most Second Heart Homes residents are seeking employment and trying to navigate complex systems for self-sufficiency, but face increasing bureaucratic obstacles. “We tend to think of homelessness as something for bad people or people who made mistakes,” says Howell. “Some of those things can be true but it can also come from things that are out of our power. We all have to look in ourselves personally and say, ‘what can I do to help’ and that includes sacrifice and unique solutions to solve the issues of housing insecurities.”
To better manage growing demand, the organization recently added an outreach coordinator to build community relationships and manage a service waitlist. Second Heart Homes operates without government funding, mortgages or debt. According to Howell, its sustainability depends entirely on public support, with donors recognizing that housing—supported by care and compassion—is the foundation of lasting solutions to homelessness.
One major hurdle remains the rising cost of properties and ‘not in my backyard’ resistance. The organization addresses these challenges by listening to concerns and clarifying its mission. With support from the Barancik Foundation, Second Heart Homes uses 85 performance metrics to track residents’ progress in areas such as physical and mental health, employment, social well-being and family reunification. “Second Heart Homes has shown that its housing-first approach has helped many rebuild their lives while supporting effective mental health outcomes,” says President and CEO of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, Teri Hansen. secondhearthomes.org
HARVEST HOUSE
HARVEST HOUSE IS A LOCAL SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND HUNGER RELIEF PROVIDER WITH 380+ BEDS AND MULTIPLE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES. Harvest House became a pioneer in the local supportive and affordable housing movement in 1992. They serve members of our community who are working to rebuild their lives, including families and children experiencing homelessness and adults with a history of addiction and incarceration. Their programs improve the economic status of residents and stabilize lives for generations to come.
Harvest House addresses the everyday inequities that too many in our region experience: attainable housing, trusted and consistent support systems, behavior health services that meet the individual need, access to nutritional food and the daily struggle to make ends meet. Harvest House meets people where they are the moment they walk through their doors, and they are always refining their operations and assessing their capacity to maintain this commitment.
Safe, dignified housing and mental wellness are the most pressing challenges for our community. In the coming months and years, Harvest House will expand their supportive and affordable housing programs to serve more low resource households, and increase therapy services to ensure all clients have access to quality mental health care.
Above, top to bottom: Second Heart Homes residents learn how to care for a home. For many, this is the first time they have had an obligation like this in many years; Families find support and stability through the programs at Harvest House.
“At Harvest House, we believe that dignity is a non-negotiable,” says Vice President of Advancement, Katie McCurry. “Safe housing and mental wellness aren’t luxuries, they are the foundation for every other success in life.”
Without needing to be bounced from agency to agency, at Harvest House low resource families can gain access to emergency housing, case management, therapy, education opportunities and long-term affordable housing. Stability is key for parents and children to bounce back from the trauma of homelessness. One client shared: “Harvest House saved our lives. They were an open door when we didn’t have anywhere else to go, and I am eternally grateful.”
Overall success metrics for Harvest House show that 97% of clients entered from chronically unstable living situations, 91% percent moved to stable housing upon exit and 100% of families and young adults who moved into stable housing were still housed after 180-day follow-up.
“When families walk through our doors, they’re not just getting a roof over their heads. They’re entering a community of support, stability and opportunity that can transform their future for generations,” says McCurry. “We’re proud to be part of Sarasota and Manatee’s solution for supportive and affordable housing, but the need is still greater than ever. Our commitment is to keep growing until every family has a safe place to call home.” harvesthousecenters.org.
PROJECT 180
PROJECT 180 IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING INDIVIDUALS SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITION FROM INCARCERATION BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. Each year, more than 30,000 people are released from Florida’s prisons. While many are eager to rebuild their lives, they face overwhelming obstacles: limited job skills, lack of education and widespread discrimination in housing and employment due to felony records. These challenges often lead to homelessness, unemployment, poverty and rearrest. Without support, over 76% of formerly incarcerated individuals in Florida are rearrested within five years—perpetuating cycles of crime and straining community resources.
To address these issues, Project 180 offers a range of reentry services designed to foster stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term success. Programs include workforce education classes for incarcerated individuals, financial literacy training funded by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, public reentry lecture series to engage and educate the broader community, referrals for housing, employment and recovery support services and a long-term residential program for men in recovery.
Project 180’s Residential Program provides formerly incarcerated men with up to two years of stable housing and comprehensive support. Residents receive nutritious meals, clothing, transportation, help paying fines to restore driving privileges, access to cultural activities and assistance in securing full-time employment. Designed for long-term success, this program serves a limited number of men committed to transforming their lives. The program collaborates with key partners, including the State Attorney’s Office, Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Corrections, Drug Treatment Court, Lightshare and the Salvation Army. These agencies help identify suitable candidates and offer ongoing support and treatment.
One of Project 180’s cornerstone initiatives is The First Week Out Program, which supports individuals returning to Sarasota and DeSoto counties after state prison. Many participants struggle with substance use disorders, and those who identify with addiction are referred to trusted community recovery programs such as Harvest House, Grace Recovery, Purpose House and local peer recovery homes.
“For participants who don’t identify with addiction, options in our area can be limited,” says Stacey Rickelman, Brand & Operations Manager at Project 180. “That’s where our residential program becomes critical—currently housing 17 men who can stay for up to two years.”
Housing remains one of the most difficult challenges after incarceration. Project 180 partners with organizations like Onetop Housing Authority to help place graduates in stable housing, but long-term success depends on each individual’s commitment.
“A lot of times, it can be discouraging,” says Program Coordinator Seth Campbell. “We see guys get out and, after a few weeks, go back to what they know because it’s easier. Reducing homelessness is one of our key missions.” project180reentry.org
GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
“We built our system around two words: hope and dignity. That’s what we wanted to give people. Because just as food is the only cure for hunger, a home is the only cure for homelessness.”
—Jon Thaxton, Gulf Coast Community Foundation
GULF COAST COMMUNITY FOUNDATION (GCCF) IS DEDICATED TO SERVING THE NEEDS OF THE REGION, which includes working to find solutions for homelessness and affordable housing. By relying on partnerships and generous donations, they are moving closer to solutions every day. One of GCCF’s initiatives focuses on unaccompanied homeless youth, an often-overlooked group of homeless individuals in our community. With the resources in our community, no child should have to sleep in a car. Yet as many as 1,000 students in the Sarasota County public school system are identified as homeless each year. Partnership with local social-service agencies and generous donors has transformed the safety net for these children and their families.
Director of Policy and Advocacy, Jon Thaxton explains that when the homeless student statistic was presented to him over a decade ago, it marked the beginning of a journey—not just of charity, but of systemic change. “That was kind of an awakening for the board,” Thaxton recalls. “How can a community of such wealth and resource have a thousand homeless children in our schools?”
It wasn’t long before a board member, Elton White, who Thaxton affectionately renamed “St. Elton” learned about a mother and her three children living in a van parked at a Walmart in Venice. Without hesitation, he wrote a blank check and said, “Use this to get them into housing.” But no one was equipped to act. The system, known as the Continuum of Care, was disjointed. Well-meaning organizations were working in silos, dupli-
Opposite page, top to bottom: Harvest House works to help families that are experiencing homelessness by moving them into stable housing as soon as possible; The team at Project 180 assists individuals transitioning into the community after incarceration; Cedar Cove will offer a fresh start for families coming out of homelessness.
cating efforts, unaware of what others were doing. Funding was scarce. Collaboration was absent.
That was when the Gulf Coast Community Foundation made a pivotal decision: it was time to build a better system. Together with the Community Foundation of Sarasota County and the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, they laid the groundwork for what would become the Sarasota Housing Action Plan—the most comprehensive review of Sarasota’s housing demographics ever undertaken.
But this plan wasn’t just about data. It was a blueprint for systemic change, outlining exactly what needed to happen for housing to become more accessible for the most vulnerable—families, veterans, individuals with mental health needs and the chronically homeless.
Over the next decade, the community, under the guidance of the Foundation and its partners, built an integrated system of care. They created a shared database, a coordinated point of entry and a requirement that all service providers work under a unified strategy built on national best practices.
The results were striking. Homelessness—particularly among children, veterans and the chronically homeless— began to drop. In fact, Sarasota saw double-digit reductions in homelessness year after year. Areas once crowded with homeless encampments thinned. The chaotic downtown scenes of the past gave way to more stability, safety and dignity. As Thaxton puts it, “We built our system around two words: hope and dignity. That’s what we wanted to give people. Because just as food is the only cure for hunger, a home is the only cure for homelessness.”
That philosophy guided their efforts, from housing children to helping veterans. Most recently, the community celebrated the launch of Heroes Village, a housing facility created in partnership with St. Vincent de Paul and the City of Sarasota, aiming to reach functional zero for veteran homelessness—a term that means homelessness is rare, brief and non-recurring.
It’s a difficult goal, but within reach. “We’re moving veterans into Heroes Village as we speak,” Thaxton shared. “And we’re doing it with dignity, giving them not just shelter, but a reason to hope.”
But the future isn’t without risk. Federal budget cuts and certain congressional actions have threatened the very backbone of these successes. Funding for critical systems—including the data centers used to track and support individuals by name—has been slashed.
“This is most remarkable,” Thaxton said, “because a housed person costs a community far less than a homeless one. Without continued investment, we risk losing everything we’ve built.”
Thaxton explains that over 40% of households in Sarasota County are “cost-burdened”, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing. This cost burden often leads to trade-offs with other basic needs–which is especially harmful for families with children— and contributes to generational poverty. Sarasota County has approximately 260,000+ households, making the number of cost-burdened households substantial.
Still, hope remains. Sarasota has shown what a focused, unified community can accomplish—not by sweeping homelessness out of sight, but by acknowledging it, understanding it and meeting it head-on with compassion and strategy.
“We may never eliminate homelessness completely,” Thaxton says. “But we can ensure that when it happens, it’s brief, it’s met with care and it never robs a person of their hope or dignity.” gulfcoastcf.org
CEDAR COVE
CEDAR COVE, A POWERFUL SYMBOL OF HOPE, BROKE GROUND IN EARLY OCTOBER IN BRADENTON. The 80unit apartment community—designed for families transitioning out of homelessness—is the result of a partnership between Tampa Bay-based affordable housing developer Blue Sky Communities and nonprofit organization Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL).
Set on Orlando Avenue, Cedar Cove will feature three-story residential buildings, a clubhouse, playground, generous green space and plenty of parking. The mix of 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments will be available to families earning between 22% and 60% of the Area Median Income, with rents starting around $1,200.
More than just housing, Cedar Cove is designed to be a lifeline. CASL will provide on-site support for 40 families—many with school-aged children—including transportation help, healthcare access and personalized case management. The goal: long-term stability and opportunity. “The groundbreaking of Cedar Cove represents a powerful milestone in our community’s fight to end family homelessness. Suncoast Partnership receives numerous requests from families experiencing homelessness throughout our community seeking to be connected with resources to end their homelessness,” says CEO of Suncoast Partnership, Taylor Neighbors. “We are honored to support this development and stand alongside Blue Sky Communities, CASL and Manatee County in bringing safe, stable homes and on-site supportive services to families in need. Together, we’re not only helping families access housing; we are restoring hope that has been lost and ensuring families have a pathway toward long-term stability and opportunity.”
The $28 million development is backed by Manatee County’s Livable Manatee program, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation, Chase Bank and Raymond James Affordable Housing Investments. Carteret Management will oversee day-to-day operations. “Workforce Housing fills a critical need for the citizens of Manatee County,” says Manatee County Commissioner Mike Rahn. “Cedar Cove will provide the housing that is needed for those who need it the most. We are proud to have this project in Manatee County and what it will provide to the citizens.”
Construction is now underway, and when Cedar Cove opens its doors, it won’t just be offering a roof—it’ll be offering a fresh start. blueskycommunities.com
wellness
RED LIGHT REVOLUTION
RED LIGHT THERAPY IS RAPIDLY GAINING POPULARITY IN THE WELLNESS WORLD—and for good reason. This non-invasive treatment uses low levels of red and near-infrared light to support the body’s natural healing processes. From giving your skin a healthy glow to relieving sore muscles, it’s a simple way to enhance your self-care routine.
DR. DEBRA KIMLESS, A LOCAL BOARDCERTIFIED EXPERT IN PLANT MEDICINE, uses 980 nm light, a form of near-infrared therapy that penetrates deep into muscles, tendons, nerves—even the scalp. “By increasing circulation, reducing inflammation and calming overactive pain pathways, this safe, non-invasive therapy has helped many of my patients find relief from stubborn conditions,” she says. “Those suffering from burning neuropathic pain in their feet have reported being able to walk more comfortably again. Patients with issues like Achilles tendinitis and tennis elbow often notice reduced swelling and a quicker return to daily activities. Even individuals with chronic back
pain describe less stiffness and improved mobility after a series of treatments.”
Kimless adds that this same wavelength stimulates hair follicles: “In patients with alopecia, I’ve observed healthier regrowth as blood flow and nutrients return to the scalp. Whether used for pain relief or general wellness, 980 nm light therapy offers a modern, drug-free approach. And the best part is—no adverse effects!”
Dianna Manoogian, owner of Salt of the Earth Sarasota, blends salt therapy with pulsed light therapy using visible blue, red and near-infrared light. “Not all light therapy is the same,” she says. “We use a type two medical device—not something you’re going
to buy online. We have 10 different settings with various frequencies that do different things to the body, so we can really customize treatment for pain, inflammation, wound healing or nerve regeneration.”
The therapy works by delivering pulsing LED light to the body, helping increase circulation and oxygenate blood. “The lights bring nitric oxide to the body,” says Manoogian, “which allows the body to put itself in the right position to heal.”
Franciska Bray, co-owner of two Perspire Sauna Studio locations in Sarasota, emphasizes the benefits of pairing fullspectrum infrared saunas with red light therapy. “Our saunas are Clearlight full-
These local spas are using red light therapy. Barbie Heit
Below, left to right: Red light therapy at Perspire, Salt of the Earth and Purify, The Sweat and Chill Lounge offers non-invasive treatment options for a variety of ailments.
spectrum infrared models made from nontoxic mahogany and cedar wood,” she says. “I always tell clients it's worth investing more in a quality sauna because cheaper options often use treated wood or toxic glues that can be dangerous, especially when your pores and lungs are open during use.”
Perspire’s saunas use far, near and midinfrared waves to deeply detoxify the body by heating it from the inside. Benefits include detoxification, cardiovascular support, calorie burning, improved skin, relaxation and pain management—including relief for arthritis. Each sauna integrates chromotherapy and red light therapy bars in the ceiling, offering dual benefits during a single 40-minute session.
“Toxins are everywhere—in our air, food and water,” Bray says. “While a traditional sauna heats the air around your body, infrared saunas heat your body from the inside, creating a false fever. Your body does what a regular fever would do—drive out toxins from your tissues and organs.” For optimal benefits, Bray recommends two to three
sessions per week. Clients are encouraged to arrive hydrated and are provided with towels. Sessions are best done unclothed to allow full detoxification without interference from clothing materials.
At Purify The Sweat and Chill Lounge, owner Samantha Albano combines infrared sauna and cold plunge therapy to create a total wellness experience. A former athlete, Albano says years of diving for volleyballs took a toll. “Over time, I developed joint pain, back aches and sore muscles,” she says. “After college, I started noticing these aches more. Everyone kept telling me I was too young to be complaining about them.”
Albano's sensitivity to chemicals and certain foods led her to explore holistic health. After a sensitivity test revealed inflammation and food allergies, she discovered red light therapy. “I was amazed at how it helps reduce inflammation, detoxify the body, ease muscle tension, improve joint pain and even burn calories,” she says. “I realized—if I needed this, chances are other people in our community did too.”
Red light therapy plays a central role at Purify. “When you arrive, we greet you and provide a bag with comfy clothes—longsleeve shirt, pants and socks,” says Albano. “You’re guided to your private room where the far infrared magic begins. Slide into the cozy warmth like a gentle hug—whether you want to watch a show, listen to music or meditate through your headphones.”
The far infrared waves warm the body from within, prompting sweat that releases heavy metals and other toxins. “The infrared penetrates deeply—almost to the bone,” she says. “Your nervous system shifts from fightor-flight to rest-and-digest, so many people fall asleep during their session. At the end, we offer a cold cloth for your forehead. Most people leave smiling—with relaxed muscles, soft skin, improved mood and better sleep.” SRQ Perspire Sauna Studio, UTC shopping center, 309 N Cattlemen Road Unit 2 Sarasota, 941-413-3331; 4924 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, 941-413-1174. Salt of the Earth, 4037 Clark Rd. Sarasota, 941-702-8300, sotesarasota.com. Purify, The Sweat and Chill Lounge, 8205 Natures Way, Lakewood Ranch, 941-993-1931 purifylounge.com |
GIVING CHALLENGE SPECIAL SECTION | THE SPIRIT OF GIVING
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County will host its 10th online giving day from noon to noon, April 15-16, 2026. The Giving Challenge is a 24-hour giving event that supports hundreds of nonprofits in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
A PARTNERSHIP ROOTED IN COMMUNITY
SRQ MEDIA, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY AND THE GIVING CHALLENGE
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County started the Giving Challenge in 2012 with a few simple goals: to generate excitement about charitable giving, to heighten awareness about local causes and to connect philanthropists of all means with local nonprofits to create enduring impact. It has done that, and then some.
Across the nine Giving Challenges held over the last 13 years, our community has collectively donated $92 million, with key support from The Patterson Foundation, which has contributed $37 million in matching funds. Those unrestricted dollars have gone to hundreds of participating nonprofits, bolstering their missions and improving the lives of the people they serve.
That impact couldn’t happen without the support of media partners like SRQ MEDIA, which has been a key collaborator with the foundation over the years. This month’s special section in the magazine focuses on how past Giving Challenges have boosted nonprofits by helping them reach new donors, enhance their marketing e orts and increase awareness and understanding of their impor-
tant work. Their stories illustrate how our community can flourish when we come together with purpose and generosity. The story also points the way to next year’s Giving Challenge, which takes place from noon to noon, April 15-16, 2026. That may sound like a long way o , but excitement around our 10th Giving Challenge is already building, as nonprofits begin to shape their fundraising strategies, recruit ambassadors and spread the word. In that first Giving Challenge in 2012, 109 nonprofits raised $2.4 million through 10,700 gifts; in 2024, 724 nonprofits raised $17.2 million through 90,227 gifts. While it’s impossible to know what 2026 will bring, I’m confident that our community will once again rally to support the nonprofits that work hard every day to make this a place where everyone can thrive.
At the foundation, our motto is “Be The One,” a saying that is rooted in our belief that everyone can be a philanthropist, and the Giving Challenge shows how true that is. Please join us April 15-16, 2026.
MISCHA KIRBY Vice President of Strategy and Communications Community Foundation of Sarasota County
$92 MILLION
Total amount raised for nonprofits through the Giving Challenge since 2012
BEST
GIVING AT ITS BEST
NOW IN ITS 10TH YEAR, THE GIVING CHALLENGE, AND ITS IMPACT, CONTINUE TO GROW.
THIS SPRING, THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SARASOTA COUNTY IS GEARING UP FOR ITS 10TH ANNUAL GIVING CHALLENGE. The 24-hour online giving extravaganza for 2026 kicks o at noon on April 15 and runs straight through to noon on April 16, and supports hundreds of nonprofits in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties. Throughout its history, participation in the event has grown tremendously. The very first challenge in 2012 raised $2.4 million for 109 local nonprofit organizations in 36 hours. The most recent Giving Challenge in 2024 raised $17.2 million in 24 hours, benefiting 724 nonprofit organizations. Nationally, the Giving Challenge is recognized as one of the top 10 largest giving days, even when compared to those in larger metropolitan cities, highlighting our uniquely philanthropic community. WRITTEN BY BARBIE HEIT | PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ROBERTS
A SPECIAL PARTNERSHIP
WHAT SETS THE GIVING CHALLENGE APART FROM OTHER GIVING DAYS ACROSS THE COUNTRY is the Community Foundation’s partnership with The Patterson Foundation, which o ers a 1:1 match—from $25 to $100 per donor, per nonprofit. This means donors can double their impact, with no limit on the number of nonprofits they can support.
Over nine Giving Challenges, more than $92 million in unrestricted funding has been raised for local nonprofits, thanks to over 50,000 donors making more than 90,000 gifts. Since 2012, The Patterson Foundation has contributed nearly $37 million and will continue its match in 2026. In 2024, four donors each gave $100 to all 724 participating nonprofits—turning $72,400 into $144,800 per donor—providing an incredible boost to the community. The Giving Challenge allows every person to be a philanthropist, whatever their means, and donations go directly to the organization that a donor wants to support. The match from The Patterson Foundation magnifies their support.
“The Giving Challenge embodies the spirit of wide participation at the heart of all that The Patterson Foundation does. Each gift is an invitation for people to a rm their passion and be a philanthropist. The Patterson Foundation amplifies this generosity through its match, creating a ripple e ect that inspires thousands of donors to take part. Because the funds are unrestricted, nonprofits have the flexibility to apply them where they are needed most—without the limits of restricted grants or reporting requirements,” says President and CEO of The Patterson Foundation, Debra Jacobs. “Every nonprofit participating in the Giving Challenge can optimize it to fit their unique fundraising strategy. Some may want to re-engage long-time supporters in a concentrated 24-hour e ort. For others, it may be the perfect way to experiment with messaging, marketing campaigns or digital outreach. The online leaderboard introduces donors to organizations focused on the causes they care about, which opens the door for fresh connections and relationships. When an organization nurtures these new relationships, they can evolve into long-term support that strengthens the nonprofit’s impact well beyond the Giving Challenge. Each iteration of the Giving Challenge provides a new opportunity for nonprofits to dream bigger, connect creatively with donors and act boldly.”
$37 MILLION
Total amount of unrestricted support contributed by The Patterson Foundation to Giving Challenge participants through matching dollars and donor incentives since 2012. In 2026, like it has in past years, The Patterson Foundation will contribute a 1:1 match for all unique donations, from $25 to $100 per donor, per nonprofit.
GIVING FAIR
THE 100% CLUB
THE PATTERSON FOUNDATION MATCH HAS BEEN A VERY POWERFUL MOTIVATOR FOR DONORS. Recognizing the chance to double their impact, Sarasota philanthropists Joe and Mary Kay Henson donated $100 to each of the 667 nonprofits in the 2022 Giving Challenge—contributing $66,700, which was matched to become $133,400. Hoping to inspire others, the Hensons pledged $100 again to all nonprofits in the 2024 Giving Challenge. Their renewed commitment expanded the generous group of what the Community Foundation calls the “100 Percent Club.”
Joining the Hensons in 2024 were advisors to the Frank G. Berlin Foundation—a component fund of the Community Foundation—and trustees of the H. Gladstone McKeon Trust also pledged $100 to every participating nonprofit. Combined with the match from The Patterson Foundation, these gifts totaled $436,800, marking a record-breaking kicko before the Giving Challenge o cially began. Je rey Troiano, an attorney with Williams Parker and trustee of the Berlin Foundation, explains that Mr. Berlin, a longtime client, had a deep love for Sarasota and a desire to help it grow into a beautiful city. While the foundation traditionally focused on targeted gifts and entrepreneurial growth through the Chamber of Commerce, its participation in the 100 Percent Club for that year allowed the fund to benefit a broader range of community needs. For the 2026 Giving Challenge, the fund has pledged to be a prize sponsor to recognize the e orts of organizations focused on engagement and momentum building. This aligns with Mr. Berlin’s vision of a thriving community. The Community Foundation, says Troiano, helps manage the foundation’s annual requirements and ensures its e orts reflect Mr. Berlin’s wishes. “We are happy to do what we can to see that Mr. Berlin’s legacy is brought forward in a way that would have made him proud— that’s our goal,” says Troiano. “Mr. Berlin loved the city and loved helping it grow,” he adds, sharing a decades-old quote from Berlin himself: “Sarasota was like my 4-year-old daughter. We would never enjoy her more than when she was this age, but we knew inevitably she would grow up. Nothing that we would do would stop Sarasota from growing, so we wanted to help it grow into a beautiful city, much like you would have a 4-year-old girl grow into a lady.”
SINCE 2018, THE VENICE PIER GROUP—owners of beloved local spots including Sharky’s on the Pier, Fins at Sharky’s, Snook Haven, Siesta Beach Eats and The Nest at The Bay— has hosted a special Giving Challenge Fair to spotlight about 25 participating nonprofits. Committed to giving back to the community they serve, the group organizes this one-day event ahead of the Giving Challenge to boost awareness and support for local causes. The fair invites nonprofits to set up booths at Sharky’s and Fins, where they connect with restaurant guests, beachgoers and visitors to the Venice Fishing Pier. From noon to 7 p.m., community members are encouraged to stop by and engage with the organizations making a di erence in the region. Justin Pachota, President of Venice Pier Group, shares the heart behind the e ort: “We’ve been part of the Venice community since 1987. It’s a phenomenal community and probably one of the not-for-profit capitals of Florida. There are so many great organizations—many close to our sta ’s hearts—so it’s something we’ve always tried to support.” He adds that the group’s involvement takes many forms, from participating in food-focused events to hosting their own. “We’ve got almost 400 employees—a big part of the Sarasota County workforce—so we also focus on communicating these e orts internally.” Pachota credits his parents for instilling a quiet commitment to giving. “They never liked the spotlight or wanted credit. I’ve taken that same attitude—it’s just part of being a good member of a great community. It’s not about recognition or return. It’s just a nice feeling.” He and his wife also involve their children each year: “We give them a budget and have them talk to each nonprofit and decide where they want to give. It’s something we want to see continue.”
JEFFREY TROIANO
JUSTIN PACHOTA
With their prize contest—Best 2024 Giving Challenge Story—Community Foundation of Sarasota County invited nonprofit organizations to share their most heartwarming and powerful Giving Challenge stories—through blog posts, new letters or email campaigns. Here are just some of the stories that will have you cheering for the amazing work happening right here in our community. To see a list of o cial prize winners, visit GivingChallenge.com.
CANINE CASTAWAYS
GIRL SCOUTS OF GULFCOAST FLORIDA
“Girls already have incredible strength and potential,” says Mary Anne Servian, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. “Girl Scout programs give them the chance to discover it—by trying new things, building skills, and being surrounded by safe, supportive adults who believe in them.”
The One to Struggle Quietly Mackenzie joined Girl Scouts in the first grade to make new friends. The first time we met Mackenzie, she was just 7 years old. Bright, imaginative and eager to try new things, she also carried invisible struggles—the restless grip of social anxiety and depression that sometimes kept her home from school. Her mental health challenges intensified in eighth grade. “I was constantly sad and anxious,” she said. “It was a ecting my grades at school and my friendships.” Sadly, Mackenzie is not alone. The State of the Florida Girl Report shows that girls face
BE THE ONE TO HELP GIRLS THRIVE
Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida Thanks to the 2024 Giving Challenge, Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida was able to commission a groundbreaking study on the emotional, physical, academic and mental wellness of girls in Florida: The State of the Florida Girl Report. Lifetime Girl Scout Mackenzie S. shared her story to show how Girl Scouts transforms girls’ lives and supports mental health.
worse outcomes than boys across academics, health, safety and especially mental health. Nearly half of Florida girls report persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Thankfully, the report also points the way forward: Programs designed specifically for girls, like Girl Scouts, dramatically improve outcomes across every area studied.
The One to Ask for Help
At Girl Scouts, our mission has always been to build girls of courage, confidence and character. But while we ask girls to change the world, the world doesn’t always return the favor. We knew we had to step up to
help girls thrive. To better support members’ mental health, we partnered with HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital to deliver wellness programming, and collaborated with NAMI Sarasota and Manatee Counties and Children’s World for the 2024 Giving Challenge. Our goal was to empower girls like Mackenzie with tools for mental health awareness, self-care and resilience. “Seeing organizations like NAMI and Girl Scouts come together really gave me confidence that girls would grow up with these resources accessible to learn about mental health and manage everyday life,” Mackenzie says.
The One to Find Her Voice
Through Girl Scouts, Mackenzie participated in initiatives that positively impacted her community and taught her the value of caring for others. On March 28, 2024, Girl Scouts earned their Mental Wellness and First Aid badges at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital. NAMI educators led discussions on emotions and coping skills, while nurses guided first aid exercises, including bandaging teddy bears and touring the ER. During a badge workshop, Mackenzie focused on earning the Finding My Voice badge.
CHANGING THE WORLD ONE DOG AT A TIME
Keeping up With the Castaways Through heartwarming virtual events and life-changing donor support, Canine Castaways used the 2024 Giving Challenge to share powerful rescue stories—and rewrite them with hope, healing and second chances.
During the 2024 Giving Challenge, Canine Castaways invited the community to “Paws for Pups” and “Keep up With the Castaways.” Through live virtual events, supporters were able to step inside our world, meeting the dogs who inspire everything we do. Viewers laughed at the goofy antics of our puppies during our Canine Carnival, fell in love with shy dogs coming out of their shells at our Paw-jama Pawty, watched older dogs rediscover joy while having breakfast at Pancakes With Pups, and even got to witness the reality of two puppies very sick with parvovirus. These moments weren’t just entertaining—families actually adopted dogs they fell in love with on screen.
The 2024 Giving Challenge gave us more than a chance to share our stories—it gave us the resources to change them. Because donors chose to “Be The One” for Canine Castaways, we were able to: provide better isolation kennels for new arrivals, giving scared or sick dogs a secure place to rest and heal the moment they come through our doors; make improvements to our play yard, transforming it into a healthier, more engaging space where dogs can run, play and socialize— many for the very first time in their lives; and grow our reach on social media, connecting with new supporters and adopters who continue to follow and champion our mission.
The 2024 Giving Challenge proved what is possible when people step up to “Be The One.” But the work is never finished. New dogs are always out there with stories of neglect, abandonment or loss. They are counting on us—and we are counting on you. With renewed support during the 2026 Giving Challenge, we can continue ensuring that every dog
who enters our rescue not only survives but thrives. Thanks to The Patterson Foundation this is also an opportunity to have your generosity doubled up to $100. We invite you to once again “Paws for Pups” and join us for a new story beginning April 15, 2026, at noon. You can “Be The One” who helps us turn “Once Upon a Times” into “Happily Ever Afters.”
“Over the years, the Giving Challenge has provided not only vital fundraising support, but also a chance for our small group of volunteers to rediscover their why,” shares Kim Rinaldi of Canine Castaways. “We’re very excited for Giving Challenge 2026 and can’t wait to share our dogs and their stories in a fun and unique way with our supporters!”
TAKING A LEAP OF FAITH
Sarasota Rising In just 24 hours, a brand-new nonprofit turned hope into action—igniting a cultural movement that lit up Sarasota’s arts scene and captured the hearts of a community.
In 2024, Sarasota Rising took a leap of faith. As a brand-new nonprofit, they entered the 24-hour Giving Challenge for the first time, unsure of what to expect but driven by a shared dream: to transform Sarasota’s Cultural Coast into a vibrant, year-round arts destination. Their mission was a bold one— uniting local arts organizations and businesses to create events that inspire community pride,
celebrate artistic expression and fuel economic growth. But like any dream, it needed support to take flight. The Giving Challenge became more than just a fundraising event for the organization—it was a whirlwind of hope, connection and possibility. For 24 hours, Sarasota Rising poured our hearts into the e ort, crafting stories, creating videos and rallying our community through hourly social
“The Giving Challenge didn’t just help us raise funds; it helped us raise hope. It reminded us that when a community comes together, incredible things can happen. Sarasota Rising is more than a nonprofit—it’s a movement, and we’re just getting started,” says Board Chair of Sarasota Rising/Living Arts Festival, Sandi Wall. “As we look to the future, we carry the lessons and the love from that 24-hour whirlwind with us. Together, we can continue to elevate Sarasota’s cultural scene, inspire new fans, and create a legacy of collaboration and creativity.”
media posts. The response was overwhelming. In just one day, their fan base grew by 50 percent, and thanks to the generosity of donors and matching funds from The Patterson Foundation, they raised more than $15,000. With the unexpected funds, they were able to host two spectacular events that were free to the public. Despite the challenges of two hurricanes disrupting plans, they adapted and delivered an unforgettable opening night. Renesito, now a Broadway star with Buena Vista Social Club, set the tone for a festival that would leave a lasting impression.
One of the most meaningful events was the Indigenous Experience, where children learned about Indigenous dance rituals and their cultural significance. The festival’s closing event was a moment of pure magic. More than 300 performers from organizations
like Sarasota Opera, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Urbanite Theatre and Sarasota Cuban Ballet came together to create something extraordinary. Thanks to the Giving Challenge, Sarasota Rising was also able to support smaller organizations like Tree Fort Productions and Sarasota Contemporary Dance, providing them with financial awards to help them grow and thrive. Over a year later, people still talk about the 2024 Living Arts Festival. They remember the joy, the inspiration and the sense of community it fostered.
FRIENDS MAKE THE LIBRARY STRONGER
Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library created a video and posted it on their Facebook page, shared it with email contacts and presented it on YouTube. The organization’s strategy was to sincerely thank its 2024 donors and provide awareness of the 2026 Giving Challenge in an entertaining and motivating format.
“We sincerely want to thank our 2024 donors and share how their contributions support the library. Plus we want everyone to be aware the 2026 Giving Challenge is just around the corner,” shares President and Team Leader for the organization, Sue Ann Miller, Ed.D. “With the Federal cuts made to the Institute for Museum and Library Services, Manatee County Library System is losing $200,000 to $250,000 annually. This impacts
collections, programs and services and the Friends will work to fill that gap.” During the 2024 Giving Challenge, our community showed up in a big way: online donations, Slim Chickens partnership, library fun for all ages. Every $25-$100 donation was doubled, thanks to the generosity of The Patterson Foundation—84 donors participated with the goal of $7,000. Total raised: $13,470. Our donors’ gifts funded Big Blue Blocks, Legos
and Duplos, creativity and play. Challenges ahead include budget cuts and population growth. Library use is increasing, and county funds don’t cover everything. Community support fills the gap. Do you remember your first trip to the library? Discovery. Joy. A place for everyone. Support library magic for the next generation. Together, we keep our library vibrant and inclusive.
FROM LEARNER TO LEADER: JOANE’S STORY
The Literacy Council of Manatee County One woman’s inspiring journey with Manatee Literacy Council shows how investing in language access creates lasting change for individuals and entire communities.
Two years ago, during the 2024 Giving Challenge, our community rallied around Manatee Literacy Council. With your support, we were able to expand programs for our Haitian Creole learners, one of the fastest-growing populations in Manatee County.
That investment quickly changed lives. One of those lives is Joane’s. Joane first came to us as a learner, eager to improve her English while balancing the demands of working on an assembly line at a local manufacturing plant. On paper, Joane already had remarkable accomplishments: She spoke five languages fluently and held an MBA
from a French university. But here in Manatee County, she needed help to connect fully, grow her opportunities and feel at home.
Because of your gifts, we were able to launch more Haitian Creole programming, and Joane stepped into our classrooms. That’s when we realized something powerful: To truly serve our Haitian community, we needed sta who could communicate directly in Haitian Creole. And the best place to look for talent was among our own learners.
Joane was the perfect fit. We were able to bring her on sta , where she became a vital bridge for Haitian families enter-
ing our programs. Her skills, her compassion and her lived experience made it possible for many more learners to feel welcomed, understood and supported.
But life threw Joane a challenge none of us could control. Due to sudden changes in immigration policy, her work visa was revoked, and she could no longer remain in her sta role. For many, that might have been the end of the story. But not for Joane.
Today, Joane continues to serve as a volunteer with the Manatee Literacy Council, conducting intakes for Haitian learners and ensuring they feel a sense of
belonging. Her resilience and dedication inspire us every day, and remind us why our work matters. Your support during the 2024 Giving Challenge made this story possible. You created a pathway for Joane to grow as a learner, step up as a leader and continue as a champion for others in her community.
In 2026, we have the chance to do even more. With your help, we can expand programs, lift up new voices and ensure that no adult in Manatee County is left behind because of language barriers. Together, we can write the next chapter of this story—one of resilience, opportunity and hope.
“Joane’s story shows the resilience of our learners and the impact of your generosity. Even when life changed her path, she chose to give back,” says Michelle Desveaux McLean, director of the organization. “That spirit is what makes our community stronger.”
SARASOTA RISING
THE LITERACY COUNCIL OF MANATEE COUNTY
WHERE EVERY VOICE FINDS A HOME
CreArte Latino Fueled by community generosity and a shared passion for culture, CreArte Latino Cultural Center has become a vibrant stage for Latino/Hispanic pride, creativity and connection in Sarasota-Manatee.
The CreArte Latino Cultural Center — and every concert, play, community event and celebration of Latino/Hispanic pride presented in our space over the past two years—stands as a living tribute to our supporters. That includes the 192 donors who contributed to CreArte during the 2024 Giving Challenge.
The impact of their generosity, multiplied by matching gifts from The Patterson Foundation to a total of more than $30,000, echoes through every note of music, every performance on our stage, every class in our studios and every gathering that draws Latino/Hispanic and other residents of the Sarasota –Manatee community together. Earlier this year, we moved into a more accessible location near the county line, opening new doors for even greater connection.
A Growing Stage for Culture
With donor support, CreArte, powered mostly by volunteers, has built a lineup of programming that both celebrates Latino and Hispanic culture and creates bridges with the wider community. That includes arts classes for children, often funded by scholarships, where local artists teach theater, music, comedy and dance. Students show o their skills in festive capstone performances for family and friends including: VOCES de Inmigración, staged readings of local immigrants’ powerful testimonies, presented in Spanish with English subtitles; VOCES de mentes escondidas, exploring the hidden struggles of mental health; theater productions, including Fuga, a comedy by Catalan playwright Jordi Galcerán; community celebrations, like the Fiesta Latina, filled with music, dance and art as part of The Patterson Foundation’s Suncoast
“Being a single teenage mom of two, I honestly felt like I was drowning at times. When I got connected with a family navigator, everything started to shift. They didn’t just throw resources at me–they walked with me. They helped me find stable housing, childcare and even someone to talk to when I felt alone. It made me feel like I wasn’t failing, just figuring things out with support. I learned how to advocate for myself and my kids, and that’s huge. It gave me space to breathe and focus on being the mom I want to be.” Alana, Mother of Two
Remake Learning Days; book clubs; Spanish conversation lessons; concerts; and even a first ever summer camp for preschoolers.
A Safe Place in Uncertain Times
For many local Latinos and Hispanics, CreArte has become more than a cultural venue. It is a safe, trusted space. Programs like Nuestra Comunidad have brought nonprofit partners in to share resources in Spanish, meeting real needs at a time when the political climate feels unsettled.
Looking Ahead to 2026
As CreArte marks its eighth anniversary, demand for its programs continues to grow. Families want more classes, more performances, more opportunities for children to create and connect with their heritage. Meeting that demand requires support—
the kind of support that makes the 2026 Giving Challenge so important. Thanks to The Patterson Foundation, every individual donation up to $100 will be matched, doubling the impact. But the real return on that investment is measured in children gaining confidence on stage, in immigrants sharing their stories and in neighbors discovering how much they have in common. Supporting CreArte is about sustaining high-quality programming, expanding bilingual outreach, and ensuring Latino and Hispanic culture remains a vital part of Sarasota –Manatee life. Most of all, it is about a rming that every voice matters. With renewed support in the 2026 Giving Challenge, CreArte can continue to grow as a trusted, welcoming place where art, culture and community flourish side by side— and where every story finds a home.
HOW GIVING TURNS CHALLENGES INTO VICTORIES
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation shared this blog post demonstrating the life-changing impact of community support through First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
A child’s first few years are critical–80 percent of brain development occurs by age 3. First 1,000 Days Suncoast supports and connects families with resources during pregnancy and throughout a child’s first 1,000 days. This initiative is philanthropically funded through Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation.
The e orts of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation during he 2024 Giving Challenge, helped to support this important program. With an additional match from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, every unique donation was matched again! More than 300 families receive support from First 1,000 Days annually. Here’s an
example of just one of those families: When Alana relocated to Sarasota with her 2-year-old toddler and another baby on the way, she had no support, no housing and no resources, having just aged out of the foster care system. Alana reached out to Sarasota Memorial’s Pregnancy Care Team, seeking help with prenatal care. The team quickly initiated referrals for obstetrical care and other local organizations for additional help. When Alana’s free nights at The Salvation Army ended, she was connected with the navigators at First 1,000 Days Suncoast. They worked tirelessly to find her a safe place to stay. After many calls, Safe Children Coalition stepped in to help fund a few more nights at The Salvation Army and later
paid for a hotel while she awaited housing approval. Throughout, the First 1,000 Days team became an invaluable support system for Alana. They have helped her reshape her and her children’s future into something spectacular. With a new apartment (furnished mostly with donations from the community), Alana has big plans for her future. She has been working to save money and plans to enroll in school. She serves on the First 1,000 Days Parent Advisory Committee, helping others like her flourish.
Save the date for the 2026 Giving Challenge—April 15-16, noon to noon. You’ll have the opportunity to be the one to help strengthen health care in our community.
“We are so thankful for the financial and other support that the Giving Challenge has generated for CreArte, which has allowed us to meet real and growing needs for cultural and educational programming in the Latino/Hispanic and larger communities,” says Carolina Franco, co-founder and producing artistic director. “It is gratifying, and humbling, to realize what we have accomplished with the support of our donors and friends. It would not have been possible without the Giving Challenge.”
$17.2 MILLION
Total amount raised during the 2024 Giving Challenge
“The 2024 Giving Challenge showed what happens when our community steps up: Young people gained professional training, audiences were moved and the arts thrived. Now imagine what we can do together in 2026. With your renewed support, we can open even more doors for young performers, create more magical productions and keep the flame of live theater burning brightly for the next generation. Join us again in the 2026 Giving Challenge. Be the spark that keeps Ovation Theatre shining,” shares Ovation Theatre President and Artistic Director Michelle McCord.
CREARTE LATINO
SARASOTA MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
OVATION THEATRE
A LOOK BACK
Ovation Theatre Thanks to generous donors, Ovation Theatre transformed passion into performance—giving young artists the chance to train like pros and shine like stars.
In 2024, the Ovation Theatre family came together in an extraordinary way. Because of the generosity of their donors during the Giving Challenge, they were able to bring to life unforgettable productions of Six, Hadestown, Shrek and A Chorus Line. These weren’t just shows. They were opportunities for young performers to step into the world of professional theater. With donor support, the organization was able to hire accomplished music directors like Jenny Kim-Godfrey, who guided students with the same expertise she brings to professional stages. For many of the organization’s young artists, this was their first chance to experience what it feels like to work with professionals at the highest level—an opportunity that sparked confidence, discipline and joy that they will carry with them for a lifetime. Donor support ensured that students didn’t just perform—they grew as artists and as people. The organization is once again asking for help as it enters the 2026 Giving Challenge.
Ovation Theatre is more than just a place where musicals are performed. It’s a place where children discover their voices, learn the value of teamwork and find belonging in a community that believes in them. Donations directly shape the experiences of these young performers. It ensures we can continue to produce professional-quality musicals, bring in directors and mentors who inspire and keep theater accessible to families who might not otherwise have this opportunity. Every dollar given is an investment in a child’s potential—on stage and beyond.
“Bob was very shy, but he was open and friendly once you got to know him,” said his sister, Carol Wolf. “Toward the end, he was looking for meaningful ways to leave his money. He loved music, and WSMR meant a great deal to him. So that’s what he did.”
WUSF CLASSICAL MUSIC
RISE ABOVE PERFORMING ARTS
IN
24 HOURS, YOU CHANGED OUR STUDENTS’ LIVES
Rise Above Performing Arts Thanks to the generosity of donors during the 2024 Giving Challenge, Rise Above Performing Arts empowered more young performers than ever—funding an entire season of Broadway shows and creating a safe, inclusive space where every child could shine.
Because of your generosity, more dreams came true last season! In 2024, you showed us how much you cared. It’s been over a year and we are still overwhelmed by the generosity you showed us during the Giving Challenge in 2024! The donations came in over a 24-hour period, with each notification giving us hope that we would reach our goal and because of you, we did! Rise Above fills the need for a safe, inclusive environment for our local youth to hone their skills and express their talents, onstage and
behind the scenes, and we are always working to better serve them with the high-caliber instruction and theatrical setting that they deserve.
Before the beginning of the 2024/2025 year, we planned our ninth season with thought and care. Not only do our directors choose shows that are relevant and that will help our students grow in their artistry, but the season is curated by taking into account all the factors that go into a successful production: music, sets, costumes, lighting. All of these things, as well as the actu-
al royalties for shows, do not come cheap. The rights to perform a Broadway show can cost anywhere from $1,000 to tens of thousands of dollars, and the more funds needed to produce a show, the less is available to pay for the remainder of costs, such as costumes and props. During the 2024 Giving Challenge we asked you to “Be The One” to donate and support our cause, and you delivered. More than 140 of you donated, and with the generous matching donations from The Patterson Foundation, a
“The Giving Challenge 2024, presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, and the amazing generosity of the matching donations from The Patterson Foundation, were so helpful for our organization, and being able to pay for all the royalties for that season with the funds raised was incredibly impactful,” shares Artistic Director and Chairman of the Board is Dr. Jacob Ruscoe. “Rise Above is extremely excited for Giving Challenge 2026, during our 10th season! As the cost of show rights has increased by an average of 75 percent, fundraisers like this are even more important to organizations like ours. Being able to share Giving Challenge with our community here in Sarasota and beyond allows us to reach even more potential donors who are encouraged by the fact that the impact of their gift is doubled by the matching donations from The Patterson Foundation.”
In the final weeks of his life, Bob Euwema spent quiet days inside his modest assisted-living home in Sarasota, playing computer solitaire and listening to the classical music he loved on WUSF’s station, WSMR. It may have looked like a solitary life, but he was far from alone—connected to a world of beauty and comfort through the music of Beethoven, Mozart, Brahms and more.
Euwema, 88, was known for his quiet manner, but his final act made a bold statement: a $1 million gift in his will to support WSMR and keep its music flowing. “Bob was very shy, but he was open and friendly
total of $30,920 was raised! With those funds, Rise Above was able to pay for the royalties for all six full-length Broadway shows in season nine! At Rise Above, we focus on making the myriad benefits of the performing arts accessible to any child, no matter their background, gender or socioeconomic status. Children should not be excluded from the joys of the arts because their families cannot a ord to pay for training, and in that same vein, we believe that facilitating high-caliber performance opportunities for students is just as important as instruction.
We know that with your support, we can help more of our young people find their voice. Now, as we look forward to celebrating the 10th Giving Challenge during Season 10 of Rise Above Performing Arts, we ask that you join us in setting the stage, literally and figuratively, to continue providing a haven for our students.
ORCHESTRATING A LEGACY
WUSF’s Classical Station Bob Euwema lived a quiet life filled with classical music—but his parting gift of $1 million to WSMR spoke volumes about the deep impact that music had on his soul.
once you got to know him,” said his sister, Carol Wolf. “Toward the end, he was looking for meaningful ways to leave his money. He loved music, and WSMR meant a great deal to him. So that’s what he did.” The Giving Challenge was the catalyst for Bob to give more generously.
The gift came as a surprise to WUSF Public Media and the USF Foundation. While Euwema had donated to WSMR 23 times over eight years, he avoided public attention, never attending station events or meetings. Discussions had occurred with his attorney, Cathryn Girard, but the size of the bequest was unknown until after
his death on March 27, 2021. Euwema was born in 1933 in State College, Pennsylvania, where his father, a self-taught pianist, was a dean at Penn State. A baritone player in the school band, Bob focused on academics and graduated valedictorian from Penn State in 1954. He earned his Ph.D. in physics from Princeton in 1959, taught at Swarthmore and later worked in the early computer industry. After retiring at 57, he moved to Sarasota to care for his mother. He volunteered with local nonprofits, helping update their computer systems and sometimes buying them new equipment.
He also kept a 30-year tradition of emailing his sister each morning before 6 a.m. When no message arrived the day after his birthday in 2021, she knew something was wrong. In 2019, wanting to revise his will, he contacted Girard. During their first meeting, he passed out in the elevator. “Bob was a very focused, determined person. He knew exactly what he wanted and how to set things up.” His quiet generosity left a lasting legacy—a gift that ensures the music he loved will continue to play on.
THE SPIRIT OF THEATER LIVES ON
Venice Theatre In 2024, Venice Theatre turned tragedy into triumph with a powerful campaign that raised more than $168,000 in 24 hours—proving that even without a building, the spirit of theater lives on through community, creativity and unwavering support.
In 2024, Venice Theatre embraced the Giving Challenge with the rallying cry “Be The One.” Our email campaign invited the community to be the one who kept theater alive after Hurricane Ian forced us out of our beloved Jervey Theatre. We didn’t just ask for gifts—we shared stories of resilience: students still finding their voices in borrowed classrooms, volunteers rebuilding sets by hand and actors performing in temporary spaces so the show could go on. The response was inspiring. More than $168,000 from 950-plus individual gifts was raised in just 24 hours, with donors proving that Venice Theatre is more than a building—it’s the beating heart of Venice. Every contribution, matched by The Patterson Foundation, ensured we could pay our teaching artists, expand outreach programs and continue serving as a cultural lifeline for our community. Looking toward the 2026 Giving Challenge April 15-16, from noon to noon, our work is far from finished. Rebuilding our theater and strengthening our reach takes continued belief and support. When donors choose to “Be The One” again, they aren’t just funding productions—they are preserving a creative home, a gathering space and a legacy of joy for generations to come.
90,227
Number of gifts made during the 2024 Giving Challenge
The five most popular causes for Giving Challenge donations in 2024 were education ($3.3 million), arts and culture ($3 million), youth ($2.2 million), health and wellness ($2.1 million) and animals ($1.6 million).
YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE
The Center of Anna Maria Island During the 2024 Giving Challenge, you showed us just how powerful generosity can be. Not long after, our island was hit hard by hurricanes.
The Center closed for regular business for nearly a month. But thanks to you, our doors never really closed. Our gymnasium became a hub of hope, filled with volunteers, food and supplies for neighbors in need. And when it was time to reopen, your Giving Challenge gifts made it possible. Because of you, families returned to safe childcare and after-school programs; kids kicked o games with brand new soccer goals; our camera system was upgraded, giving parents peace of mind; and, seniors, teens and families came back together for wellness, friendship and connection. Your 2024 Giving Challenge donation didn’t just help us recover, it kept the Center strong for every generation of our community. Now we need you again. Mark your calendars for the next Giving Challenge, April 15–16, 2026, from noon to noon. With your support, we can continue to be more than just a building. We’ll remain the heartbeat of Anna Maria Island. Your generosity fuels our mission to make the Center a place where everyone feels supported and part of a community. Together, we’ll keep that legacy alive.
REBUILDING LIVES
Hope DeSoto Long-Term Recovery Group With Giving Challenge funds, Hope DeSoto turned $1,119 into lasting change—rebuilding homes, restoring hope and preparing families for the storms ahead.
In April 2024, Hope DeSoto LongTerm Recovery Group, a nonprofit just over a year old, raised $1,119.13 during the 2024 Giving Challenge. These funds fueled transformative disaster recovery and preparedness e orts in DeSoto County, directly impacting families and strengthening the community. Founded in 2023, Hope DeSoto quickly became a beacon of hope, tackling home repairs, disaster preparedness and nonprofit support. The 24-hour Giving Challenge amplified their mission,
turning donations into lifelines for families recovering from disasters.
Collaborating with Mennonite Disaster Service, Hope DeSoto completed critical home repairs. Their “Hurricane Ready” training, supported by Suncoast Remake Learning Days and The Patterson Foundation, empowered families with storm preparedness skills. Through the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund, they also bolstered other nonprofits, enhancing regional recovery efforts.The $1,119.13 raised had a pro-
found impact. Funds purchased tools for smoke detector installations, volunteer shirts and hardware for home repairs for three families. The Lewis family’s kitchen was restored with new sink hardware. The Smiths received window and flooring repairs, improving safety. The Ramos family’s walls were rebuilt, renewing their sense of home. The Giving Challenge funds celebrated volunteers with shirts symbolizing their dedication. Smoke detector installations underscored Hope
DeSoto’s focus on prevention, ensuring safer homes for families. The $1,119.13 reflected DeSoto County’s shared commitment. From individual donors to partners like Mennonite Disaster Service and The Patterson Foundation, the Giving Challenge showed the power of collective action. Every dollar expanded Hope DeSoto’s reach, supporting repairs, training and nonprofit collaboration.
Ringling College of Art & Design
CREATIVITY IS THE FUTURE. Celebrating its 95th anniversary, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe, educating and inspiring the next generation of creative visionaries. We believe in fostering an inspiring and engaging environment for our students and community, but we know we cannot do it alone. Ringling College relies heavily on the support and generosity of our friends, partners, alumni, and community to continue advancing our industry-leading art and design education and initiatives. The value of your investment is undeniable—our students emerge as leaders who can effectively contribute their talents to the most recognized and innovative brands worldwide. You can help us make a difference in the lives of these talented creatives by providing scholarship support, quality academic programs, professional-level resources, and state-of-theart technology and facilities. SARASOTA HAS LONG BEEN A PLACE FOR ARTS AND CULTURE to flourish and this community plays a pivotal role. Through more than 100 programs offered annually at Sarasota Art Museum, the College’s Galleries and Exhibitions program, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and Ringling’s TOWN HALL Speaker Series, Ringling College provides opportunities not only for our students, but for over 60,000 local residents and visitors from around the globe to gather, learn, and experience the power of creativity.
FINANCIAL HARDSHIP SHOULD NOT BE A BARRIER IN THE PURSUIT OF A SUCCESSFUL FUTURE. MORE THAN 90% OF RINGLING STUDENTS QUALIFY FOR NEED- AND MERIT-BASED SUPPORT, AND MOST WOULD BE UNABLE TO ATTEND WITHOUT THIS ASSISTANCE. OUR SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS HELP ENSURE THAT THE COLLEGE ATTRACTS AND RETAINS THE MOST QUALIFIED AND TALENTED STUDENTS ACROSS ALL SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, AND ENABLES THEM TO FOCUS THEIR TIME AND ENERGY ON LEARNING AND CREATING.
2700 N. Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34234-5895
941.309.4733
giving@ringling.edu | ringling.edu
“I was honored to lead Venice Theatre’s 2024 Giving Challenge, building on past successes of ranking in the top 10 of large organizations, with the guidance of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County,” says Advancement Associate Christine Pitts. “As we prepare for the 2026 Giving Challenge, I look forward to advancing the final phase of our $25 million capital campaign to rebuild the Jervey Theatre, damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.”
“What moves me most about the Giving Challenge is seeing small gifts add up to create a big impact,” says Jillian Ptak, Director of Development, The Center of Anna Maria Island. “It’s incredible to be part of a 24-hour movement where the whole community comes together. For us, that means keeping programs strong for kids, families and seniors so the Center remains a place where everyone feels supported and part of a community.”
The $1,119.13 raised had a profound impact. Funds purchased tools for smoke detector installations, volunteer shirts and hardware for home repairs for three families. The Lewis family’s kitchen was restored with new sink hardware. The Smiths received window and flooring repairs, improving safety. The Ramos family’s walls were rebuilt, renewing their sense of home. For the Lewises, a functional kitchen meant cooking without worry. “It’s like getting our home’s heart back,” Mrs. Lewis shared. The Smiths’ new windows and floors made their home safer. For the Ramoses, rebuilt walls o ered a fresh start. “It’s more than walls,” Mr. Ramos said.
HOPE DESOTO LONG-TERM RECOVERY GROUP
VENICE THEATRE
THE CENTER OF ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Number of nonprofits that participated in the 2024 Giving Challenge
HERITAGE FOR GIVING
Military Heritage Museum’s Pop-Up Giving Challenge raised nearly $146,000 through community collaboration, matching gifts and local support.
For 24 hours between noon April 9, 2024, and noon April 10, 2024, the Military Heritage Museum participated in the Giving Challenge with hundreds of other local nonprofits. We chose to have fun while raising money by hosting a large Pop-Up Giving Challenge Station. Our goal was to sponsor a community a air, where our emphasis for donors to “Be The One” would make a di erence to Charlotte County. Keys to our financial success were good planning and organization, community involvement, extensive marketing and publicity, volunteer and Board of Directors participation and most of all, generous donors and multiple matches. We encouraged local community involvement from businesses and the Punta Gorda city government. The city provided us with free bottles of drinking water. We came to the Pop-Up with computers and table displays and sta ready to take donations from donors as they entered the building. We provided entertainment throughout the Pop-Up in our Gulf Theatre, including dancing by the Calendar Girls, singing by the Gator Wilderness Camp School Choir and local singer Zarita Maddox, a K-9 demonstration and a bird show. We are so grateful to the Community Foundation and The Patterson Foundation as well as all the donors, who by their donations, helped to keep the doors open to our beloved museum.
“We wanted to present a microcosm of social purpose needs in Charlotte County in our Pop-Up,” shares the Military Heritage Museum. “Accordingly, we invited a diversity of nonprofits to join us in a large Pop-Up Giving Station at our museum.”
BLOOMING GIFTS SUPPORT A SPECIAL ECOSYSTEM
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens Giving is in full bloom at Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens.
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens is a 30-acre riverside sanctuary where diverse ecosystems, vibrant year-round blooms and striking sculptures come together along scenic boardwalks and tranquil waters. Here’s how participating in the 2024 Giving Challenge boosted our impact:
A Bushel of Support Garden givers: $21,810. Patterson match: $15,350. Total raised: $37,170.
Vitamin C for Our Programming
Free field trips, nonprofit partnerships and free memberships and passes to low-income families are just some of the ways that we foster appreciation and understanding, provide access to those less fortunate and inspire creativity in our community. Our cultural exhibitions and world-class sculptures create the perfect backdrop.
Adults With Disabilities Empowerment Whether it’s working side by side in our garden beds, participating in free, monthly therapeu-
tic horticulture sessions with our partners at The Loveland Center and Goodwill, or simply savoring a tranquil stroll through the gardens, connections are formed that transcend di erences and celebrate the unique qualities of each individual.
Senior Engagement We’re dedicated to supporting our senior community by o ering a diverse range of programs tailored to promote healthy aging. From yoga and leisurely strolls, which benefit cardiovascular health and mobility,
to engaging with the diverse flora and fauna that stimulate cognitive function, to o ering a vibrant volunteer program that brings purpose, seniors find fulfillment and enrichment in our tranquil surroundings.
Peel the Love, Share the Joy! If every one of our 16,000 newsletter readers donates just $25 in the upcoming 2026 Giving Challenge, our nonprofit could receive $800,000. That’s the sweetness of community.
PEACE RIVER BOTANICAL & SCULPTURE GARDENS
Spirit of
ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE SUN COAST
BIG CAT HABITAT
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES
CAT DEPOT
CENTERSTONE
BRANDED CONTENT SPECIAL SECTION SRQ MAGAZINE DEC 2025
2025 PORTFOLIO
SARASOTA BRADENTON
LAKEWOOD RANCH PALMETTO
NORTH PORT VENICE
CHILDREN FIRST
SPIRIT OF GIVING
CHAMPIONS SHARE THEIR STORIES
MANATEE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Philanthropically-minded companies and individuals engage with an incredibly vibrant and diverse ecosystem of nonprofit organizations powering good in Sarasota and Manatee.
SARASOTA MUSIC CONSERVATORY
HERMITAGE ARTIST RETREAT
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY
IMPACT100 SRQ
KEISER UNIVERSITY
MANATEE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
NAMI SARASOTA AND MANATEE COUNTIES
NEW COLLEGE FOUNDATION
RINGLING COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN
SAFE CHILDREN COALITION
SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET
SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION
SAVE OUR SEABIRDS
SARASOTA INSTITUTE OF LIFETIME LEARNING
SPARCC
TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN OF MANATEE COUNTY
THE BISHOP MUSEUM
THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD
THE SARASOTA PLAYERS
TIDEWELL FOUNDATION
YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Centerstone
MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES TOUCH US ALL. Whether it’s a friend, a loved one, or even ourselves, making the decision to ask for help isn’t easy. At Centerstone, we provide compassionate, lifechanging care for individuals and families struggling with mental health and substance use disorders. FOR NEARLY 70 YEARS, Centerstone has been a beacon of hope, offering therapy, addiction recovery, and social support for people of all ages. Our team of more than 600 physicians, nurses, counselors, case workers, peer support specialists, and recovery coaches, provides an unmatched continuum of care in Florida. EACH YEAR, CENTERSTONE SERVES NEARLY 110,000 PEOPLE NATIONWIDE, including over 15,000 people right here in Florida. Centerstone provides outpatient mental health and substance use services to children, adults and families in Sarasota and Manatee counties (as well as 8 other adjacent counties) and offers inpatient psychiatric and substance use treatment in Manatee County. WE ARE DEEPLY ROOTED IN THE SUNCOAST COMMUNITIES THAT WE SERVE. Centerstone serves one out of every 30 families in our community. Through the generosity of our supporters, we provide care through our Behavioral Hospital and Addiction Center, Outpatient Centers, mobile response teams, newly launching BRACE Teams in Palme o and Venice, Centerstone’s national network and 24/7 crisis services, and various Prevention Programs. IT HAS BEEN A MONUMENTAL YEAR FOR CENTERSTONE – we welcomed a new regional CEO in Florida, Dr. Lisa Williams, in February and merged with Brightli in November to create the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of behavioral health services. Together, along with supporters like you, we are be er positioned to build resilient communities where the social drivers of health are addressed and behavioral health and population health outcomes across the community are improved.
AT CENTERSTONE, LIVES ARE TRANSFORMED EVERY DAY THROUGH COMPASSIONATE, EVIDENCE-BASED CARE. ONE CLIENT WHO LIVED WITH CHRONIC PAIN SINCE CHILDHOOD, WITH LITTLE OUTCOME FROM DOCTORS AND SPECIALISTS, FOUND LASTING RECOVERY AFTER PARTICIPATING IN THERAPY AT CENTERSTONE THAT ADDRESSED HIS ANXIETY AND TRAUMA. A SURVIVOR OF SEXUAL ASSAULT, REBUILT HER RELATIONSHIP WITH HER PARENTS, FOUND JOY IN PLAYING THE PIANO AGAIN, AND BEGAN A CAREER SHE LOVES. A RECENT PATIENT AT OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND ADDICTION HOSPITAL SHARED: “THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THEIR PATIENTS ARE COMFORTABLE, HAPPY & SATISFIED. THEY ARE ALSO VERY FOCUSED ON GETTING THEIR PATIENTS THE HELP THEY ARE SEEKING, AND ARE EXTREMELY NICE!” THESE ARE JUST A FEW OF THE COUNTLESS STORIES PERSONIFYING OUR MISSION DELIVERING CARE THAT CHANGES PEOPLE’S LIVES. WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN GROW IN OUR MISSION, HELPING INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY FIND HOPE, HEALING, AND A PATH TO RECOVERY.
Humane Society of Sarasota County @humanesocietysrq @humanesocietysrq
TOGETHER WE SAVE LIVES. At Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC), collaboration is at the heart of everything we do. Dedicated staff, volunteers, fosters, donors, and partner organizations help us make a real difference for animals and people across Sarasota County and beyond. ADOPTION: CREATING LIFELONG CONNECTIONS Every adoption saves two lives—the pet adopted and the one who takes its place. Programs like Military Matches, which waives adoption fees for active-duty service members and veterans, and Seniors for Seniors, which pairs senior pets with older adults, make adoption more accessible and help pets find loving, permanent homes. TNVR: CARING FOR COMMUNITY CATS Our Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return Program (TNVR) stabilizes free-roaming cat populations, protects public health by vaccinating against rabies, and prevents countless ki ens from being born into unsafe conditions. TAILS: SUPPORTING REGIONAL SHELTER PARTNERS Through the TAILS Program (Together Assisting in Lifesaving Services), HSSC mentors and supports under-resourced shelters in DeSoto, Hardee, and Highlands counties, providing guidance, training, and resources so they can save more lives—while also working closely with Sarasota County Animal Services to strengthen our local community. WORKING CATS: PURPOSEFUL LIVES Unsocialized or feral cats find safe, alternative homes—like barns, warehouses, farms, or breweries—through our Working Cat Program, providing natural rodent control. COMMUNITY OUTREACH: STRENGTHENING PEOPLE AND PETS HSSC’s Pet Therapy Teams bring comfort to hospitals, schools, and senior care facilities. We offer affordable training through our K-9 Obedience Courses, and our Pet Pantry provides food and supplies to families in need—helping pets stay in their homes and out of shelters. With compassionate care, lifesaving programs, and critical resources, HSSC continues to help animals and families across the region. Together, we’re not just finding homes for pets—we’re creating a more compassionate community and moving toward a No-Kill Florida.
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SARASOTA COUNTY OPERATES THE AREA’S PREMIER NO-KILL SHELTER, PROVIDING COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR CATS AND DOGS WHILE EXPANDING LIFESAVING PROGRAMS, FOSTERING COLLABORATION, AND EDUCATING COMMUNITIES TO BUILD A NO-KILL FLORIDA. HSSC IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT 501(C)(3) ORGANIZATION SUPPORTED BY GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND CORPORATIONS. WHEN A CRITICALLY ILL PUPPY ARRIVED FROM A RURAL SHELTER PARTNER OUR VETERINARY TEAM ACTED QUICKLY, THINKING ON THEIR FEET AND DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO SAVE THE LITTLE LIFE. IN THIS URGENT SITUATION, A BLOOD DONATION FROM OUR LONGEST RESIDENT DOG AT THE TIME MADE THE DIFFERENCE. THE DONOR DOG BECAME A HERO, BUT IT WAS THE SKILL, DEDICATION, AND COMPASSION OF OUR STAFF THAT MADE THE MOMENT POSSIBLE. STORIES LIKE THIS SHOW HOW HSSC GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND EVERY DAY GIVING ANIMALS A SECOND CHANCE, SAVING LIVES, AND BUILDING A KINDER COMMUNITY FOR PETS AND PEOPLE ALIKE.
Keiser University
AS ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT UNIVERSITIES AND A LEADING PRODUCER OF HEALTH CARE AND TECHNOLOGY GRADUATES, KEISER UNIVERSITY UPLIFTS COMMUNITIES THROUGH EDUCATION, SERVICE, AND OPPORTUNITY. THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS THAT REMOVE FINANCIAL BARRIERS AND PARTNERSHIPS THAT ENHANCE ECONOMIC GROWTH, KEISER’S MISSION IS SIMPLE YET PROFOUND: TO EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS, STRENGTHEN FAMILIES, AND BUILD A STRONGER FLORIDA ONE GRADUATE AT A TIME.
FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS, Keiser University has been dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening Florida’s economy, workforce and communities. Founded on the belief that education is the most powerful way to create opportunities, Keiser University provides access to high-quality degrees in targeted and emerging industries such as health care and technology, empowering students to build meaningful careers in Florida. A NATIONAL LEADER IN SOCIAL MOBILITY, Keiser University empowers first- generation and working adults to earn degrees that upli their families and communities. Keiser University has awarded over $76 million in scholarships to military, needs-based, and high-achieving students, reflecting its commitment to accessible, career-focused education. WITH 21 CAMPUSES ACROSS FLORIDA, including Sarasota, Keiser University takes a hands-on approach to community engagement. The University’s mission of service extends beyond the classroom as students, faculty, and staff participate in volunteer initiatives supporting local nonprofits, health awareness, and workforce readiness programs. Each year, the Keiser community contributes thousands of service hours through food drives, mentorships, and partnerships that meet real community needs. KEISER UNIVERSITY’S “SEAHAWKS IN SERVICE” PROGRAM embodies the spirit of giving that defines the institution— mobilizing students to serve at local shelters, environmental clean-ups, and youth centers. Meanwhile, students and faculty in healthcare fields partner with area hospitals and clinics to strengthen the local healthcare pipeline, addressing the critical demand for qualified professionals throughout the Gulf Coast. AS ONE OF FLORIDA’S LARGEST PRIVATE, NON-PROFIT UNIVERSITIES and a leading producer of healthcare and technology graduates, Keiser University upli s communities through education, service, and opportunity. Through scholarships that remove financial barriers and partnerships that enhance economic growth, Keiser’s mission is simple yet profound: to empower individuals, strengthen families, and build a stronger Florida—one graduate at a time.
6151
941.907.3900
keiseruniversity.edu/sarasota @ keisersarasota
New College Foundation
AT NEW COLLEGE OF FLORIDA, our mission is to cultivate intellectually curious, globally minded scholars through rigorous academics and hands-on learning. We empower students to think critically, explore boldly, and engage deeply with the world around them—transforming knowledge into real-world impact. One of our most inspiring initiatives is the Summer Research Abroad Program, which gives students the opportunity to conduct fieldwork alongside faculty mentors in locations around the world. Each experience is directly tied to a student’s senior thesis, providing firsthand understanding of the topics they will later analyze, write about, and defend. THIS YEAR, STUDENTS STUDIED IN MALTA AND HONDURAS, advancing research that contributes to both historical and environmental discovery. In Malta, Professor Pirone and his students made a remarkable find on the first day of surveying— potential evidence of a Bronze Age se lement that could rewrite regional history. The discovery captured the a ention of Heritage Malta officials and led to an invitation to a reception at the U.S. Embassy in Malta. IN HONDURAS, students were conducting underwater coral reef research while working with local communities to
support global marine conservation. Their fieldwork gathers vital data to protectfragile ecosystems and informs their academic theses on environmental sustainability. THESE LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCES ARE MADE POSSIBLE ONLY THROUGH DONOR SUPPORT. Every dollar helps students travel, conduct research, and engage in hands-on projects that deepen their learning. By investing in these opportunities, donors give students the ability to see, study, and understand the very subjects they are writing about—turning theory into experience and passion into purpose. AT NEW COLLEGE, YOUR SUPPORT TRANSFORMS EDUCATION into discovery, empowering students to change how we see the world—one research trip at a time.
5800 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
941.487.4800
foundation@ncf.edu | ncf.edu/foundation New College Foundation newcollegefoundation NCFfoundation
OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE GLOBALLY MINDED, CULTURALLY AWARE LEADERS THROUGH HANDS-ON LEARNING AND REALWORLD EXPERIENCES. A SHINING EXAMPLE IS STUDENT ANNA LAZZARA, WHO WAS ELECTED STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT AT THE FSU FLORENCE CENTER FOR FALL 2025. AS THE ONLY NEW COLLEGE STUDENT STUDYING IN FLORENCE, ANNA’S LEADERSHIP ABROAD REFLECTS THE CONFIDENCE, CURIOSITY, AND CIVIC SPIRIT FOSTERED AT NEW COLLEGE. HER SUCCESS AND THAT OF MANY OTHERS — IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH DONOR SUPPORT. EVERY CONTRIBUTION HELPS STUDENTS TRAVEL, STUDY, AND ENGAGE WITH DIVERSE CULTURES THAT SHAPE THEIR ACADEMIC WORK AND PERSONAL GROWTH. THESE EXPERIENCES OPEN MINDS, BUILD EMPATHY, AND PREPARE STUDENTS TO BECOME LEADERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD AND THEIR ROLE IN IT. WHEN YOU GIVE TO NEW COLLEGE, YOU’RE NOT JUST FUNDING EDUCATION YOU’RE TRANSFORMING LIVES, CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, AND INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF CHANGEMAKERS.
Safe Children Coalition
AS THE LEAD COMMUNITY-BASED CARE ORGANIZATION providing child welfare services in Circuit 12 (Sarasota, Manatee, and Desoto Counties), we served over 10,000 children and families in fiscal year 2025. More than 70% of these participants were in prevention and diversion programs designed to keep families together. We are the only 501c3 nonprofit organization contracted with the state to provide these programs in our region. Our mission is to protect children and youth, strengthen families, and build community. We are a unique public/private partnership supported by a combination of generous donors, private foundations, and state and local contracts. Safe Children Coalition (SCC) has been at the forefront of child welfare services since the inception of the privatization of Foster Care, Adoption, and Prevention and Diversion programs for children and families in the state of Florida. When the concept of CommunityBased Care was born, the Safe Children Coalition was the first to take up the challenge of bringing comprehensive services to children and families through collaborative efforts to unite resources and hold all parties accountable to specific standards of care through inclusive and informative relationships within the community. This year, we have been recognized as the Florida Network Agency of the Year, and our Residential Programs Director, Charles Harris, was recognized as the Program Director of the Year. IN FEBRUARY, SCC BROKE GROUND ON A NEW YOUTH SHELTER at 4409 Sawyer Road in Sarasota. Phase 1 of our $9M capital campaign is nearing completion, and Phase 2 of the campaign is underway. The program has provided more than 90,000 bed nights for more than 6,000 homeless teens. It provides wrap-around services like transportation to and from school; individual, group, and family counseling; comprehensive safety assessments; life skills development; educational support; tutoring; case management; and linkages to a ercare services.
AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF HOMELESS TEENS, MANY OF THEM EXPERIENCING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, IN OUR COMMUNITY. THAT WAS THE CASE FOR *CHLOE. CHLOE WAS ON THE RUN FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. WHEN HER PARENTS SPOTTED HER ON THE STREETS, THEIR RELIEF WAS SHORT-LIVED. THEY COULDN’T CONVINCE HER TO COME HOME, AND EVEN IF SHE DID, THEY WEREN’T PREPARED TO DEAL WITH HER SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND OTHER BEHAVIORS SHE HAD ADOPTED TO STAY ALIVE. IT WAS DIFFICULT CONVINCING CHLOE TO STAY AT OUR YOUTH SHELTER, BUT SHE FINALLY DID. AND HER LIFE CHANGED. WITH INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY COUNSELING SESSIONS, THE LIGHT STARTED TO COME BACK INTO CHLOE’S EYES. AS WITH NEARLY 95% OF TEENS AT THE SHELTER, SHE HAS BEEN REUNITED WITH HER FAMILY. HER PARENTS ARE ADAMANT THAT IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE YOUTH SHELTER, CHLOE WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST FOREVER. *Names have been changed.
1500 Independence Blvd. Suite 210 | Sarasota, FL 34234
941.371.4799 | ext. 1127
development@sccfl .org | sccfl .org Safe Children Coalition @safechildrencoalition Safe Children Coalition @safechildrencoalition
THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET IS A PREMIER DESTINATION
FOR CUBAN TRAINING IN THE UNITED STATES with two major components—our award-winning school and our popular Sarasota Cuban Ballet Studio Company. The Sarasota Cuban Ballet Studio Company provides a bridge between the school and the performance side of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet and has many facets—preparing strong and confident young dancers for professional careers and providing community education and outreach throughout the area— but performances are the major focus. The Studio Company’s 36week season includes shows at major theater venues, the intimate performance series in the Sarasota Cuban Ballet’s auditorium, and invitations to perform at local and international festivals and community events. Programs feature a diversity of classical and contemporary works pulled from both the canons of ballet repertoire and new and emerging choreographers. The Sarasota Cuban Ballet is a small nonprofit organization, but we dream big. We believe that our dancers deserve the very best—through training and support from our faculty at a professional facility, and through opportunities to perform for discerning audiences. We hope you feel the heart of our dreams when we perform. A ending performances is a great way to show your appreciation of what we love to share with our community, but please consider a donation to grow the unique legacy of the Sarasota Cuban Ballet.
Sarasota Cuban Ballet
THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET’S MISSION IS TO CELEBRATE AND SUSTAIN THE CULTURAL LEGACY OF THE CUBAN BALLET TRADITION, SHARING ITS UNIQUENESS THROUGH PERFORMANCE, EDUCATION, AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH. TRAINING THE NEXT GENERATION OF DANCERS, INCLUDING THOSE AT RISK OR WITH FINANCIAL CHALLENGES, IS A FOUNDING PRINCIPLE. NOW IN ITS 14TH YEAR, THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET SCHOOL IS THE ONLY US TRAINING CENTER WHERE DR. RAMONA DE SAA, DIRECTOR AND PROFESSOR AT THE NATIONAL BALLET SCHOOL OF CUBA, ADAPTED THE CUBAN METHOD BALLET CURRICULUM CREATED BY FERNANDO ALONSO SPECIFICALLY FOR OUR SCHOOL. THE HEART OF THE SCHOOL IS OUR PRE-PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM, A RIGOROUS TRAINING COURSE THAT PREPARES TALENTED, SERIOUS YOUNG DANCERS FOR PROFESSIONAL CAREERS. DANCERS FROM THE SARASOTA CUBAN BALLET HAVE JOINED THE ROYAL BALLET, BIRMINGHAM ROYAL BALLET, HAMBURG BALLET, MIAMI CITY BALLET, HOUSTON BALLET, THE DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM, SAN FRANCISCO BALLET, BOSTON BALLET, AND MANY OTHER NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL COMPANIES.
The Sarasota Cuban Ballet School DBA Sarasota Cuban Ballet is a 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization Sarasota Cuban Ballet performances are paid for in part by Sarasota County Tourist Development tax revenue
Sarasota Music Conservatory
AT SARASOTA MUSIC CONSERVATORY, MUSIC CHANGES LIVES. At SMC, families find a place where students of all ages and backgrounds can grow as musicians, leaders, and members of our vibrant arts' community. Through world-class instruction, scholarships, and partnerships, SMC ensures that excellence in music education is within everyone’s reach. BEYOND PRIVATE LESSONS, SMC offers students the kind of opportunities typically found only in major cities. Among other incredible experiences this year, students will perform for renowned pianist Wu Han and share the stage with Itzhak Perlman, opportunities that reflect the conservatory's commitment to excellence and access.
FLAGSHIP PROGRAMS THAT SHAPE FUTURES:
• Young Artist Program – A pre-college track offering mentorship, chamber music, and pre-college classes.
• Side-by-Side Chamber Orchestra – Students perform alongside professional musicians, building artistry, confidence, and collaboration.
• Concerto and Piano Competitions – Students gain invaluable performance experience, feedback, and resilience through the competitive process.
• Masterclasses with World-Renowned Artists –Inspiring sessions that expose students to exceptional artistry and professional guidance.
PARTNERSHIPS with other beloved local nonprofits extend this impact across Sarasota’s cultural community, including multi-disciplinary performances at the Opera House. YOUR SUPPORT FUELS EVERY NOTE OF THIS WORK! Turning potential into possibility and ensuring that every child who dreams of learning music can do so.
323 Central Ave. | Sarasota, FL 34236
SarasotaMusicConservatory.org
Admin@SarasotaMusicConservatory.org
SarasotaMusicConservatory
SarasotaMusicConservatory
YOUR GIFT MAKES POSSIBLE:
• Scholarships for under-resourced students
• Free community concerts and outreach programs
• Masterclasses and performance opportunities with renowned artists
• Mentorship programs that connect young musicians with professional performers
• New instruments and learning resources that inspire every student’s musical journey
SARASOTA MUSIC CONSERVATORY OFFERS EXCEPTIONAL MUSIC EDUCATION AND PERFORMANCE PROGRAMS TO OUR COMMUNITY. THROUGH PRIVATE LESSONS, MASTERCLASSES RECITALS, AND INTERACTIONS BETWEEN WORLD-CLASS PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS AND ASPIRING YOUNG TALENTS, WE PROUDLY BRING THE ONLY MUSIC CONSERVATORY TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA. WE STRIVE TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATIONAL, ARTISTIC, AND CULTURAL PROGRAMS THAT CELEBRATES DIVERSITY AND EMBRACES INDIVIDUALS OF ALL RACES, ETHNICITIES, GENDERS, ABILITIES, AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKE A POSITIVE AND LASTING IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS AND THE CULTURAL LANDSCAPE OF OUR COMMUNITY.
Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation
SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION shapes moments that upli hearts and strengthen our community by advancing the power of the arts to educate, connect, and inspire through impactful and interactive learning experiences. SINCE 1987, THE FOUNDATION HAS INVESTED MORE THAN $18 MILLION into arts education programs at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, bringing world-class performances, teaching artists, and creative opportunities to thousands of students and families annually. THROUGH TEACHER WORKSHOPS, schooltime performances, classroom residencies, family nights, and wellness programming, the Foundation in partnership with the Van Wezel Education Department reach 40,000 participants annually - students, educators, families, and lifelong learners. These programs are made possible through private support, which helps the Foundation bring art, culture and inspiration to all. In 2022, the Foundation expanded its mission, working with the City of Sarasota through a public-private partnership to design a new Performing Arts Center that embodies resilience, sustainability, exceptional acoustics, and community vision at the heart of Sarasota. Envisioned and approved as part of the Bayfront 20:20 project, the new Center will be able to accommodate larger productions, a racting new world-class performances to the area and building on the rich history of Florida's Cultural Coast. The Center will serve as a gathering place for generations to come.
THE MISSION OF THE SARASOTA PERFORMING ARTS FOUNDATION IS TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN A VIBRANT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, ADVANCE EDUCATION, AND ENRICH COMMUNITIES BY INSPIRING MINDS THROUGH THE POWER OF THE ARTS. THIS PAST YEAR, THOUSANDS OF LOCAL STUDENTS EXPERIENCED LIVE THEATER AT THE VAN WEZEL THROUGH OUR SCHOOLTIME PERFORMANCES, MANY FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME. FOR ONE YOUNG STUDENT, THE EXPERIENCE WAS TRANSFORMATIVE: “I FELT LIKE THE SHOW WAS MADE FOR ME. I NEVER THOUGHT I’D SEE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN REAL LIFE.” THAT MOMENT OF WONDER IS WHY WE EXIST: TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD AND EVERY NEIGHBOR HAVE ACCESS TO THE JOY, INSPIRATION, AND CONNECTION THAT ONLY THE ARTS CAN PROVIDE.
201 Cocoanut Ave., Sarasota, FL 34236
YMCA
FOR OVER 58 YEARS, YMCA of Southwest Florida has been a trusted nonprofit dedicated to strengthening communities by connecting people to their potential, purpose, and one another. With ten YMCA facilities, two charter middle schools, four early learning academies, and numerous camps and a er school programs, the Y serves families and individuals from Manatee, Sarasota, Charlo e, Lee, DeSoto, Hendry and Glades counties. EVERY DAY, THE Y BRING ITS MISSION TO LIFE through programs that nurture youth development, promote healthy living, and foster social responsibility. From teaching children and adults vital water safety skills to providing nutritious meals for families facing food insecurity, the Y meets people where they are and helps them build brighter futures. AT THE Y, WE BELIEVE STRONG COMMUNITIES ARE BUILT BY PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER. That’s why the Y ensures everyone—regardless of age, income, or background—has access to opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive. With the support of partners and donors, the Y meets critical community needs—from early learning and academic enrichment to wellness, mental health, career readiness, and disaster response. GIVING BACK AND SUPPORTING NEIGHBORS IS THE HEARTBEAT OF THE Y. When you partner with YMCA of Southwest Florida, you invest in a community focused organization with the reach, relationships, and expertise to deliver meaningful, lasting impact. Together, we don’t just promise to strengthen our communities— we make it happen every day.
THE MISSION OF THE YMCA IS TO PUT CHRISTIAN PRINCIPLES INTO PRACTICE THROUGH PROGRAMS THAT BUILD HEALTHY SPIRIT, MIND, AND BODY FOR ALL. AT YMCA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, WE ARE COMMITTED TO FOSTERING BELONGING, UNLOCKING POTENTIAL, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITY. WE CREATE SPACES WHERE PEOPLE FEEL VALUED, SUPPORTED, AND CONNECTED. BY EMPHASIZING GROWTH, OPPORTUNITY, AND SHARED PURPOSE, THE Y INSPIRES INDIVIDUALS TO DISCOVER THEIR STRENGTHS, BUILD MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, AND CONTRIBUTE TO A THRIVING, RESILIENT COMMUNITY. OUR PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOCUS ON KEY AREAS THAT HELP PEOPLE REACH THEIR GOALS AND STRENGTHEN COMMUNITIES. BY EMPOWERING YOUTH, SUPPORTING INDIVIDUAL AND FAMILY WELL-BEING, AND ENCOURAGING ENGAGEMENT, THE Y CREATES LASTING POSITIVE CHANGE THAT STRENGTHENS BOTH PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITIES THEY CALL HOME.
THE SEASON OF PLENTY? NOT FOR EVERYONE. The most significant federal cuts to food and health assistance programs in a generation are hi ing home, and families in Sarasota and DeSoto counties are already feeling it. FUNDING FOR THE SNAP AND MEDICAID HAS BEEN SLASHED —all while grocery prices continue to increase and inflation stretches household budgets. LAST YEAR, MORE THAN 80,000 PEOPLE TURNED TO ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK FOR HELP. But that’s only part of the story: nearly 220,000 people in our community still need food—and that number will rise. FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES, All Faiths Food Bank has worked diligently with community partners to give our neighbors facing hunger a reason to feel ThankFULL during the holiday season. But we can’t do it without you.
PLEASE CONSIDER SHARING THE JOY OF THE SEASON by giving today. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333 to learn more.
W8171 Blaikie Court, Sarasota, FL 34240
941.379.6333 | allfaithsfoodbank.org
ITH A GIFT TO ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK’S ThankFULL CAMPAIGN, YOU MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR LOCAL FAMILIES TO ENJOY A DELICIOUS, FESTIVE MEAL DURING THE HOLIDAYS. THIS YEAR, OUR GOAL IS TO DISTRIBUTE 4.1 MILLION HOLIDAY MEALS.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE SUN COAST'S MISSION is to create and support one-to-one mentoring relationships that ignite the power and promise of youth. Our Vision is for every child to achieve their fullest potential. Many of our Li les face challenges such as poverty, family instability, or academic struggles — but with the steady guidance of a caring Big, they gain confidence, improve in school, and make positive life choices. Through professional matching, training, and ongoing support, we build lifechanging relationships that open doors to graduation, higher education, and brighter futures. Our programs focus on literacy, school transitions, workplace mentoring, resilience, and access to opportunity — helping every child discover their promise and purpose.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties
AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES, thousands of youth are provided a safe place to learn, grow, and thrive every year. Across six Club locations and two Counties, young people are met with opportunity the second they enter the Club. Through programs in leadership, academic success, career readiness, and health and wellness, we are shaping the next generation of community leaders. Signature programs like the STAR Leadership Training Program, Future Leaders Academy, and Youth Council empower youth to find their voices, believe in themselves, and pursue great futures. By addressing real needs in our community, from mental health to workforce readiness, we ensure every young person has access to the support and opportunities they deserve.
AT BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF SARASOTA AND DESOTO COUNTIES, OUR MISSION IS TO ENABLE ALL YOUNG PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO NEED US MOST, TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL AS PRODUCTIVE, CARING, RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS.
FOR 23 YEARS, CAT DEPOT HAS OPERATED A STATE-OF-THE-ART, FREEROAMING CAT ADOPTION CENTER, a space designed not just to shelter cats, but to honor their well-being and individuality. No cages. Just love, freedom, and care. We rescue and rehome over 1,200 cats and ki ens each year, many from dire circumstances. AT CAT DEPOT, WE’RE MORE THAN A SHELTER, WE’RE A LIFELINE FOR CATS AND THE PEOPLE WHO LOVE THEM. Cat Depot offers a variety of safety net programs designed around the belief: no one should have to give up a beloved pet because of temporary hardship. These programs, like our Food Bank and Cat Care Clinic, provide critical support for pet owners in crisis, helping families stay together and keeping cats out of shelters.
CAT DEPOT’S MISSION IS TO SAVE LIVES, FIND LOVING HOMES, AND PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EDUCATION NEEDED TO IMPROVE THE DESTINY OF HOMELESS CATS. WE’VE SAVED MORE THAN 21,000 LIVES, EACH ONE A TESTAMENT TO THE POWER OF COMPASSION TURNED INTO ACTION.
AT CHILDREN FIRST, EVERY DAY IS A CHANCE TO SEE POTENTIAL REALIZED where growth begins, and futures take shape. From a child’s first steps in the classroom to a parent’s first steps toward a new career, each milestone reflects the power of progress and possibility. CHILDREN FIRST PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, HEALTH AND WELLNESS SERVICES, and family strengthening programs that empower children and caregivers to achieve lasting success. By addressing the educational, nutritional, and emotional needs of the whole family, we help create the strong foundation every child deserves. Through Children First, families build pathways toward stability and self-sufficiency. WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL for your philanthropy, which ensures that every child and family has access to the resources and support they need to thrive.
OUR MISSION IS STRENGTHENING CHILDREN AND FAMILIES BY IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF THEIR LIVES THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO DEVELOPMENT, EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND WELL-BEING. WE ENVISION A VIBRANT COMMUNITY THAT CHERISHES EDUCATION, PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES TO GROW AND THRIVE, AND ENCOURAGES AND EMPOWERS FAMILIES IN SUPPORTING THEIR CHILDREN.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat
The Hermitage is a leading national arts incubator and the only major arts organization in Florida exclusively commi ed to supporting the creation and development of new work across all artistic disciplines. Located on Manasota Key in Sarasota County, the Hermitage provides accomplished and diverse artists with multi-week residencies to create original works of theater, music, visual art, literature, dance, and more. Hermitage Fellows have included eighteen Pulitzer Prize winners, multiple Tony, Oscar, Emmy, Grammy nominees and winners, Poets Laureate, MacArthur and Guggenheim Fellows, and hundreds of extraordinary artists from around the world. Hermitage artists, writers, and performers offer a unique glimpse into the creative process, sharing their original works-in-process with our Gulf Coast community. These free, hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, play readings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, open studios, and more. Audiences can experience a unique level of engagement with these extraordinary talents at our year-round sunset programs on the Hermitage Beach and other partner venues throughout the region.
THE MISSION OF THE HERMITAGE IS TO INSPIRE AND FOSTER THE MOST INFLUENTIAL AND CULTURALLY CONSEQUENTIAL ART AND ARTISTS OF OUR TIME. HERMITAGE FELLOWS HAVE DESCRIBED THEIR EXPERIENCES AS “LIFE-CHANGING,” “MAGICAL,” AND “TRANSFORMATIVE,” REGULARLY NOTING THAT THEY ACCOMPLISH MORE IN THEIR TIME AT THE HERMITAGE THAN THEY EVER IMAGINED POSSIBLE. THE AWARD-WINNING ORIGINAL WORKS CREATED AT THE HERMITAGE ARE PRESENTED IN RENOWNED CONCERT HALLS, THEATERS, MUSEUMS, AND GALLERIES THROUGHOUT OUR REGION AND ACROSS THE GLOBE.
6630 Manasota Key Road, | Englewood, FL 34223
info@HermitageArtistRetreat.org | 941.475.2098
To learn more or to register for an upcoming Hermitage program: HERMITAGEARTISTRETREAT.ORG
Manatee County Habitat for Humanity
IS SEEKING TO PUT GOD’S LOVE INTO ACTION, MANATEE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY BRINGS PEOPLE TOGETHER TO BUILD HOMES, COMMUNITIES, AND HOPE. EACH HOME DEDICATION CEREMONY EMBODIES THIS MISSION, A JOYFUL, FAITH-FILLED MOMENT WHERE FAMILIES, VOLUNTEERS, AND SUPPORTERS UNITE IN PRAYER AS NEW HOMEOWNERS RECEIVE THE KEYS TO THEIR FUTURE.
AT MANATEE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, our mission is to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Through our Homeownership Program, we serve low-income families earning between 50–80% of the area median income, guiding them through a 6–24 month journey toward affordable homeownership. Partner families work alongside volunteers to build their homes, complete financial education, and ultimately purchase their homes with a 30-year affordable mortgage. Our newest development, Kings Cross Place, is a 27-home community featuring sustainable, durable, and modern 3-bedroom, 2-bath and 4-bedroom, 2-bath homes. Each home is designed to minimize maintenance costs and reduce utility bills, allowing families to build stability while paying just $900–$1,000 per month for their mortgage. Together, we’re building a stronger, more equitable Manatee County.
@MCHFH @Manatee_habitat @manatee.habitat @Manatee County Habitat For Humanity
CONNECTION. COMPASSION. HOPE. For the past 40 years, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Sarasota and Manatee Counties has led the way in helping thousands of local youth, adults, and families navigate their mental health challenges. Through free peer-led support programs, education, and advocacy we empower those living with mental health and/or substance use conditions to find understanding, connection, and the courage to heal. Your generosity fuels this vital work, transforming isolation into community and hardship into hope. Together, we create a place where no one faces these challenges alone. GIVE THE GIFT OF CONNECTION AND HOPE THIS SEASON. Visit namisarasotamanatee.org to make your impact.
WHEN JENNIFER’S DAUGHTER WAS HOSPITALIZED FOLLOWING A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, IT WAS A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE NO FAMILY EXPECTS. THROUGH NAMI, BOTH FOUND THE HELP AND SUPPORT THEY NEEDED, AND NOW HER DAUGHTER HAS LESS ANXIETY AND REGULARLY ATTENDS FAMILY ACTIVITIES. “I DON’T KNOW WHERE WE WOULD BE IF IT WASN’T FOR NAMI,” SAYS JENNIFER.
1226 N Tamiami Trl, Suite 202, Sarasota, FL 34236 941.376.9361 | NAMISarasotaManatee.org
AT RINGLING COLLEGE GALLERIES, we don’t just help students create great exhibitions; we use exhibitions to help make great students. Through hands-on experience in curation, design, and installation, students learn to communicate ideas, engage audiences, and connect art with the community. EACH YEAR, THE GALLERIES PRESENT MORE THAN 30 EXHIBITIONS across five professional spaces featuring students, faculty, alumni, and renowned visiting artists. By collaborating with community partners and showcasing diverse creative voices, we foster dialogue, celebrate innovation, and strengthen Sarasota’s vibrant cultural landscape.
RINGLING COLLEGE GALLERIES AND EXHIBITIONS CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS AND THE COMMUNITY TO CONNECT THROUGH THE POWER OF ART. THROUGH MORE THAN 30 ANNUAL EXHIBITIONS, WE MENTOR EMERGING ARTISTS, CELEBRATE CREATIVE VOICES, AND FOSTER CULTURAL DIALOGUE USING ART AS A CATALYST FOR LEARNING, ENGAGEMENT, AND POSITIVE CHANGE.
BIG CAT HABITAT CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION CENTER provides a safe, loving and permanent home to over 300 animals spanning more than 60 species including lions, tigers, bears, monkeys birds and more. We welcome guests from around the world to visit, encounter, experience and fall in love with our animals year-round. We believe that educating our guests on the importance of conservation and species preservation can cultivate a deeper understanding of the vital connection between humans and animals. We encourage everyone to help save animals from extinction and inspire community action for a be er tomorrow with education, conservation and connection. Through our outreach team we share our knowledge and passion for animals in the community at schools, libraries, festivals and events.
OUR MISSION IS TO PROVIDE A SAFE, LOVING AND PERMANENT HOME FOR EXOTIC AND DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN NEED AND TO EDUCATE OUR GUESTS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF SPECIES PRESERVATION TO ENSURE SURVIVAL OF THESE MAGNIFICENT ANIMALS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS. WE ARE FIRMLY COMMITTED TO KEEPING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL CONNECTION IN OUR WORLD AND IN OUR COMMUNITY.
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, Inc. (SPARCC)
FOR 46 YEARS, SPARCC HAS STOOD AS A BEACON OF HOPE, dedicated to upli ing survivors and their children through unwavering support and advocacy. All services are free and confidential. With your support, SPARCC can continue offering safety, healing, and empowerment—every day of the year.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
• Donate to help survivors find safety and healing.
• Join SPARCC Auxiliary and/or volunteer.
• Join us as a sponsor or guest at SPARCC events.
LEARN MORE OR GIVE TODAY AT WWW.SPARCC.NET.
TO PROVIDE A SAFE HAVEN AND PROMOTE EMPOWERMENT, AWARENESS, AND SOCIAL CHANGE TO END DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE.
WHEN AN INJURED BIRD FINDS ITS WAY BACK TO THE SKY, IT’S MORE THAN A RELEASE IT’S A RECOVERY OF BALANCE. AT SAVE OUR SEABIRDS, EVERY SUCCESS STORY REMINDS US THAT FLORIDA’S WILD BIRDS ARE VITAL TO THE HEALTH OF OUR COASTS, OUR ECOSYSTEMS, AND OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE.
EVERY BIRD HAS A SONG - ARE YOU LISTENING? At Save Our Seabirds, our mission is to rescue and rehabilitate sick, injured, and orphaned wild birds with the goal of releasing them back to the wild. Each year, our Avian Hospital treats roughly 1,200 patients, and we’re looking to expand our reach to give even more second chances. With your help, we can grow our capacity and respond to every bird in need. WE ALSO OFFER PERMANENT REFUGE FOR ABOUT 100 AMBASSADOR BIRDS who cannot be released, giving them lifelong care and a voice to share the message of their wild counterparts. Birds are nature’s messengers - when their songs fade, it signals trouble for all of us. Protecting birds means protecting the health of the world we share.
AT TAKE STOCK IN CHILDREN OF MANATEE COUNTY, we’re dedicated to creating life-changing opportunities for students facing economic challenges. Through scholarships, mentorship, and essential support, we provide every deserving student with a clear pathway to college and the chance to reach their full potential. OUR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMS GO BEYOND TUITION they open doors to guidance, resources, and encouragement. Each student is paired with a dedicated mentor who supports them from middle school through graduation, helping them navigate challenges and celebrate successes along the way. WE ALSO CONNECT STUDENTS TO CRITICAL SERVICES, including mental health support, and our Beyond Tuition initiative continues assistance for alumni in college, covering needs such as housing, school supplies, and more. By investing in their education and personal growth, we empower students to succeed academically, professionally, and personally—creating brighter futures and a stronger community for us all. Donate at h ps://manateetakestock.org/donate
WHEN JASMINE FACED HOMELESSNESS DURING HER SOPHOMORE YEAR, TAKE STOCK MANATEE STEPPED IN WITH MENTORSHIP, ACADEMIC COACHING, AND SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT. WITH OUR GUIDANCE, SHE STAYED IN SCHOOL, MAINTAINED HER GRADES, AND GRADUATED ON TIME. TODAY, JASMINE IS PURSUING A DEGREE IN NURSING AND GIVING BACK TO HER COMMUNITY. HER JOURNEY SHOWS HOW WE EMPOWER STUDENTS TO OVERCOME OBSTACLES AND ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS.
@saveourseabirds @saveourseabirds
Take Stock in Children of Manatee County
Dr. Michael Higley, Director of Operations michael@takestockmanatee.org PO BOX 325, Palme o, FL 34220, or visit our webpage at manateetakestock.org.
The Bishop Museum
THE BISHOP IGNITES PASSION FOR SCIENCE AND NATURE TO TRANSFORM OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR WORLD. AS STEWARDS OF SCIENCE AND NATURE, THE BISHOP INSPIRES CURIOSITY, BUILDS CONNECTIONS, AND CREATES IMPACTFUL EXPERIENCES. THE BISHOP PURSUES EXCELLENCE IN INTEGRITY, CURIOSITY, AND STEWARDSHIP.
THE BISHOP MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND NATURE invites you to discover the wonders of our world! Immerse yourself in the Planetarium’s state-of-the-art system that takes you on a virtual journey through space. Explore the Mosaic Backyard Universe, where children can engage in hands-on learning. Witness the incredible work being done in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, a temporary home for manatees recovering from illness or injury. AT THE BISHOP, ALL AGES CAN ENJOY ENGAGING EXHIBITS and educational programs that foster a love of learning and exploration. YOUR SUPPORT IS CRITICAL to helping The Bishop maintain its role as an educational resource with programs and exhibitions for curious visitors and sustaining a successful rehabilitation program for manatees. We hope to inspire future scientists, nature lovers, paleontologists, and space explorers.
EVERY CHILD DESERVES A STRONG START. For the past 45 years, The Florida Center for Early Childhood has helped children and families build lasting foundations for success through developmental therapies, mental health counseling, early education, and parenting support. Serving more than 4,500 children and families annually across Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties, The Florida Center addresses developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges that, if untreated, can lead to lifelong struggles. Programs strengthen families, prepare children for school, and promote mental well-being across generations. With community support, The Florida Center continues to expand access to early intervention and mental health services—helping children reach their potential and ensuring families have the resources to thrive.
Strengthening families through prevention, education, and care.
BY NURTURING EACH CHILD’S UNIQUE POTENTIAL, THE FLORIDA CENTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD TRANSFORMS CHALLENGES INTO MILESTONES. EVERY THERAPY SESSION, COUNSELING APPOINTMENT, AND CLASSROOM MOMENT BUILDS RESILIENCE, STABILITY, AND HOPE— CREATING A LASTING IMPACT THAT STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
The Sarasota Players
AT THE SARASOTA PLAYERS, WE LIVE OUR MISSION BY CREATING A THEATRE WHERE EVERYONE BELONGS — onstage, backstage, and in the audience. As Sarasota’s community theatre, our productions feature local talent of all ages and experience levels, offering a welcoming space where anyone can shine. THROUGH THE PLAYERS STUDIO, we provide theatre training for both children and adults. Students are given the opportunity to perform in challenging full productions. We are proud to foster a safe, inclusive environment for all who walk through our doors. WHETHER YOU’RE HERE TO PERFORM, learn, or support there’s something for everyone. We’re a theatre that produces classics, plays, musicals and provide space for new works. For 96 years, we've been Sarasota’s home for local, live theatre — and we’re just ge ing started.
• At The Players Studio no student is ever turned away for their inability to pay.
• Over 200 students learning about the performing arts a end classes and participate in shows.
• Scholarships have increased by 20% in the 2024-25 season.
Theatre space: 3501 S. Tamiami Trail Suite 1130 | Sarasota, FL 34239
The Players Studio: 1400 Blvd. of the Arts
Suite 200 | Sarasota, FL 34236 941.552.8879
Box Office: 941.365.2494 | Theplayers.org @thesarasotaplayers | @theplayersstudiofl TO ENTERTAIN, EDUCATE, AND ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY THROUGH HIGH QUALITY LIVE THEATRE.
