On Sunday, March 31, 2024, Pine Shores Presbyterian Church held its annual Easter sunrise service on Siesta Key drawing over 3,000 attendees. This tradition began in 1957 and rapidly
became a moving and meaningful time of worship not only for the Pine Shores congregation, but also as for the community at large. Each year, the Pine Shores Missions Committee picks a different organization as the recipient of the annual offering. This year’s funds, a record breaking $14,203.52, are designated to support mental health services to youth, particularly those in foster care and families providing their care. Samaritan Counseling Services will utilize these funds to provide licensed counseling to the foster care community and partner with local nonprofits in this effort. Missions Committee Chair George Lavigne shared that this year’s offering was the largest received ever. “I believe those attending the services emotionally connected to the focus on at-risk youth in Sarasota, and that’s why they gave so generously.” Samaritan Counseling Services will continue to instill hope and transform lives in our community thanks to this generous investment and community collaboration.