Provided photo.

There is something about fall that brings a renewed sense of energy. Pumpkin spice lattes are back, pumpkins are beginning to appear on front porches, and while we may have to wait a little longer for true sweater weather here in Sarasota, the change of season still feels like a fresh start.

At the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, fall is also a wonderful reminder of the many ways we can show up for our community.

Last week, we had the privilege of hosting Fall for Sarasota, presented by the Baltimore Orioles. More than 160 volunteers rolled up their sleeves to support over 20 local nonprofit projects throughout our community. Together, they contributed more than 500 volunteer hours in just two days. Think about the impact of that.

Those hours represent projects completed, organizations supported and over 100 people choosing to give one of their most valuable resources—their time—to make Sarasota better. Our nonprofit community plays an incredibly important role in the quality of life we enjoy. These organizations serve our children, families, seniors, animals, arts and cultural institutions, environment and countless other needs. Fall for Sarasota is two days, but the needs—and the opportunities to help—exist throughout the year.

If you or your business are looking for an organization to support, volunteer with or learn more about, I encourage you to visit the Sarasota Chamber’s website, where you can connect with the many nonprofit organizations that are part of our Chamber family.

Fall is also a great time to support another important part of our local economy: our restaurants. Throughout September and October, our Eat Out Sarasota initiative encourages residents and businesses to intentionally support local restaurants and Chamber members. Meet a client for breakfast, take your team to lunch, enjoy dinner with friends or try a restaurant you haven’t visited before. Those seemingly small decisions add up, and keeping our dollars local helps strengthen the businesses that employ our neighbors and contribute so much to the vibrancy of Sarasota. You can see all of our top-notch Sarasota Chamber member restaurants here.

Finally, fall means we are entering the final quarter of 2026. For business leaders, there is still plenty of year left. Pull out those goals you made in January. Which ones need one final push? Make the call you’ve been putting off. Reconnect with a customer. Attend an event. Build a new relationship. Volunteer as a team. Support another local business. Strong communities don’t happen by accident. They are built when people and businesses choose to participate, contribute and show up for one another.

So bring on the pumpkins, pumpkin spice and hopefully some cooler temperatures. More importantly, let’s use this season to support local, give back and finish 2026 strong—together.

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Provided photo.