SRQ DAILY Mar 5, 2025
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. You're always learning."
Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations — from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. This year, attendees were thrilled to be together as we recognized these individuals at our annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Awards luncheon and panel discussion on Tuesday, January 28 at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. In the coming weeks, we are happy to feature each of the ten honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.
Today we recognize Janelle Piersoll, Vice President of Information Technology, S-One Holdings Corporation. Janelle has been a team member at S-One for 13 years and has embraced community engagement, the heartbeat of the company’s culture. She notes “I've been able to do this because S-One empowers me to be able to do so. S-One encourages everyone within the company to step up and help our neighbors.” She has shared her technical toolkit with local students through S-One’s mentorship partnership with State College of Florida (SCF), Manatee-Sarasota, in developing local IT talent to meet the demand from area businesses. Piersoll has volunteered with the program for two years and she embraced the opportunity to give back to SCF college students who are interested in an IT career. “Learn to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. You’re always learning," she says. "Coding is always changing. New technology is coming out, and we have to keep up with it so we’re always gaining knowledge. We tell the students to lean on people who’ve been there. That’s what we’re here for to help you find your way forward. You’ll succeed as long as you have the drive.” When speaking of her philanthropic spirit, Piersoll says “I feel like I’ve had a blessed life and I like to give back to other people. I personally have always been a volunteer, mentoring students at the elementary school, high school and at State College of Florida. I am also involved with little league, travel ball and I volunteer as a Parent Teacher Organization board member at Ashton Elementary School. 
Pictured: (l-r) anelle Piersoll with Executive Publisher, SRQ Magazine. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.
Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Board of Directors recently approved $8 million in grant awards. The funding will help improve access to quality educational opportunities, connect vulnerable residents to vital services for their health and well-being, expand water-quality monitoring along our coast, and more.
Following a sold-out inaugural tournament last year, the second annual Children’s Cup Golf Tournament was a resounding success, bringing together passionate supporters of the Child Protection Center (CPC) for a day of golfing and fundraising to benefit child abuse victims. Held on February 10, 2025 at the prestigious Laurel Oak Country Club, the event was once again completely sold out, demonstrating the growing commitment of the Sarasota community to ending child abuse and supporting the work of CPC. “We are so grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, and every golfer who participated,” said Elizabeth K. Topp, Capital Campaign Manager at CPC. “Thanks to your incredible support, we are one step closer to achieving our mission of making our community a safer place for children. Together, we’re making a real difference for kids in need of healing.”
In its 35th year of providing services and impact, The Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center (Glasser/Schoenbaum) proudly announces a name change to Caring Collective, to better reflect an expansion of its mission. Additionally, to honor our co-founders, Dr. Kay Glasser and Betty Schoenbaum, we have renamed
our campus the Glasser/Schoenbaum Campus of Caring.
On Saturday, February 22nd, nearly 1,000 attendees were transported back to the 2000s for Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s dance party held on the rooftop of SMH-Sarasota’s West Parking Garage. The evening’s MCs were David and Meredith from Jones and Company on iHeart radio’s 107.9 WSRZ. The entertainment featured two physician bands, Midlife Crisis, Cassandra & the Ear-resistibles, and a deejay. Over $120,000 net was raised. In addition to the live music, guests were treated to food, beverages, and fun from vendors, including a GlamBot photo booth, temporary tattoo station, trucker hat bar, and a Fly Dance Fitness performance. Rock the Roof will rock again on November 1, 2025! For sponsorship information, visit smhf.org/events or call 941.374.9700.
Embracing Our Differences (EOD) hosted its annual fundraising luncheon on February 21 at The Ora, bringing together 600 supporters for an inspiring event that celebrated the power of the arts to promote community engagement, respect, and meaningful dialogue. The event surpassed its $300,000 fundraising goal, propelled by a pivotal $100,000 contribution from philanthropists Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse, which helped kickstart the campaign.
The 1772 Foundation, a national leader in historic property redevelopment funding, has awarded the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation (SAHP) a $25,000 grant to support SAHP’s innovative Sarasota Preservation Program, which empowers homeowners to restore and maintain historic properties, safeguarding the region’s architectural heritage. This marks the foundation’s second grant to SAHP and aligns with its nationwide commitment to Historic Properties Redevelopment Programs—an effort that leverages real estate strategies to rehabilitate and preserve endangered historic structures.
Join The Florida Center for Early Childhood at their inaugural "Childhood Matters" luncheon on April 10th, where Dr. Dan Wuori, a leading expert in early childhood policy and author of The Daycare Myth, will speak. Dr. Wuori will discuss how learning begins in the womb and highlight the importance of attentive, high-quality interactions for a child's brain development. As he puts it, early childhood educators are co-constructors of your child's brain – choose carefully.
In May - which is Mental Health Awareness Month - Sunshine From Darkness will present the Step Into the Light Mental Health Summit. The event, which is free and open to the community, is designed to raise awareness, provide valuable resources, and foster meaningful conversations about mental health. There will be expert speakers as well as tabling by various mental health- and wellness-related organizations. The Summit takes place on May 3 at The Venue @ LEC (Harvest House campus).
A night of elegance, generosity, and Parisian flair unfolded on Feb. 28 as the sold-out City of Lights Gala welcomed more than 200 guests to Michael’s on the Bay at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Inspired by the magic of the Moulin Rouge, this black-tie affair raised an unprecedented $350,000 to bring joy to Gulf Coast seniors while raising awareness of the critical services provided by Senior Friendship Centers for the area’s aging population. For more information on Senior Friendship Centers and how you can get involved, visit seniorfriendshipcenters.org.
Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency will be collecting donations of new books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. The books will be distributed to the children and families enrolled with Children First, as well as distributed to the agency’s local nonprofit and education partners.Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, kicked off its second annual “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader” book drive on February 1. Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency will be collecting donations of new books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. The books will be distributed to the children and families enrolled with Children First, as well as distributed to the agency’s local nonprofit and education partners.
Children First, 1723 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34234
Join us for a magical evening at our FIRST annual "Garden In Bloom" Fundraiser Gala! Get ready to enjoy a night filled with fashion, live art, dancing, live music, delicious food, giving back, and mingling with your local community.
The Meadows, 5041 Ringwood Meadow Sarasota, FL 34235
Join us on the Great Lawn of Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus for a casually elegant outdoor Garden to Plate dining experience! Enjoy fine wines selected by Michael Klauber that complement a multi-course dinner personally designed by Phil Mancini.
Downtown Sarasota campus , 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) is pleased to announce its annual Spirit of Manatee Awards Celebration, set for Wednesday, March 13, 2025, at the new Palmetto Marriot Resort, presented by The Milestone Financial Group at Morgan Stanley. This year’s special event will honor the generosity and resilience that define Manatee County. Departing from the traditional awards format, it will celebrate the unsung heroes who stepped up to meet the challenges of the past year.
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, 600 US Highway 41, Palmetto, FL 34221
Join us for the 2025 ALSO Youth Brunch Benefit at Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill. Enjoy live music, sushi buffet, a silent auction of local treasures, and joyous community! Tickets are $50 per person. Seating is limited - make sure you have a spot by purchasing your tickets in advance!
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill, 100 Central Ave suite 1022, Sarasota, FL 34236
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated annual SPARCC Runway Fashion Show, "Sarasota Seascape – Tides and Trends," set to take place on Friday, March 28, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. This premier fundraiser combines style and purpose, as all proceeds directly benefit SPARCC's mission to provide a safe haven and promote empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
After stormy weather postponed its January grand opening, Embracing Our Differences has reimagined the celebration as "Embracing Our Community: A Celebration of Kindness."; This free event takes place on Sunday, March 30, from noon to 3 p.m., at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The celebration features three performances by the phenomenal musician, singer and songwriter, Shelby Sol. Local arts and education organizations will be in attendence.
Sarasota's Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) will host its annual fundraising luncheon, PAWS 2025: Mission Pawssible at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. You don't want to miss the fun-filled annual event! At Mission Pawssible, guests will be immersed in an exciting, interactive experience with animal “agents” on a mission to find their forever homes. It will be an inspiring afternoon featuring live entertainment, heartwarming stories, and an opportunity to support the lifesaving work of HSSC. It’s a chance to make a real impact on the lives of homeless cats and dogs. The mission is simple: raise crucial funds to help provide shelter, medical care, food, and enrichment activities for more than 3,000 animals yearly.
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to host a run across the iconic Ringling Bridge! There are several options for runners and families—5K, 10K, and a family fun run. The run supports student and teacher programming, helping students to get ready and go further.
The Bay: Civic Green Lawn, 801 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties will honor the outstanding achievements of inspiring Club members at its 2025 Youth of the Year Celebration. This highly anticipated event, formerly named Steak & Burger, will recognize five local youth who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and service to their community. The western-themed evening will celebrate the legacy of the organization’s youth leadership programs, followed by the official Youth of the Year Celebration. Western casual attire is encouraged.
Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club, 3100 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237
Toss some fun into your Thursday! Join us at Waterside Place for a fun morning of Casual Cornhole! Whether you’re a cornhole pro or a newbie, don’t miss this chance to show off your tossing skills and have a blast with friends! Grab a partner or go solo, we’ve got enough beanbags and boards to keep everyone entertained!
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace Lakewood Ranch , FL 34240
Join us on the Bolger Campiello for live music and dancing. Food and beverage will be available for purchase on the bayfront. One chair per person will be available. No outside food, drink, coolers, chairs or pets are permitted. Members please note: $20 tickets are limited to one for Individual Memberships and two for all other Membership levels.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is excited to announce the return of the popular sunrise beach walks.The walks will be held every Wednesday and Thursday at Siesta and Nokomis beaches. Walkers are asked to check in with staff before or after their walk between 8-9:30 a.m. Enjoy a fun and energizing start to the day with this community-favorite event. For just a one-time registration fee of $5, participants will receive a punch card and have an opportunity to receive an event T-shirt and gift from the Florida Department of Health.
Siesta and Nokomis Beaches, Various Locations
Circus Sarasota is back with an ALL NEW show in 2025 featuring awe-inspiring artistry from around the world. Your hometown circus returns under our NEW BIG TOP at Nathen Benderson Park this winter. Limited tickets are available for this annual tradition – book today!
Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL 34235
Two operas, two betrayed husbands, two tragic ends. In Cavalleria rusticana the calm of a Sicilian Easter morning is broken by a betrayed lover who sets off a chain of events ending in violent tragedy. In true theatrical tradition Pagliacci's clown tries to go on with the show, but his real-life humiliation and despair lead to a grim climax. The violent passions and raw emotions of these two works changed the direction of Italian opera forever.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota FL 34236
Celebrate the women who have captivated the world with their dynamic personalities and fierce vocals. Starting in the 1960’s, female artists such as Cher, Barbra Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion have been pushing boundaries and shattering records with hits such as, “Turn Back Time,” “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” and “My Heart Will Go On.”
John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St, Sarasota, FL 34236
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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