The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s 26th annual Season of Sharing campaign, which concluded Jan. 31, generated $4.2 million in donations. Fully 100 percent of the money raised through Season of Sharing goes to help individuals and families in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties pay for basic living expenses like housing, utilities, childcare and transportation. Overall, more than 57,000 households have found support through the initiative and the total amount raised through the campaign since its inception stands at $53.9 million. This year’s campaign benefited from donations from thousands of individuals, but a handful of key gifts provided a significant boost to the total. Local philanthropists Joe and Mary Kay Henson made a $100,000 gift to the campaign in its closing days. The Hensons’ capstone gift unlocked an additional $100,000 matching donation from The Patterson Foundation, which pledged to donate $100,000 for each $500,000 raised by the community. Overall, The Patterson Foundation strengthened Season of Sharing this year with a total of $700,000 in matching funds, bringing its cumulative support for the initiative to more than $11 million since 2010. The Bishop-Parker Foundation also awarded a generous $100,000 grant, money that will be earmarked to benefit residents in Manatee County.