What began as a casual Thursday evening gathering of six friends for beer and laughter at Hurricane Mike’s Saloon shortly before the pandemic has evolved into Local 7433, a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on helping people in the community and making a real difference.

During the COVID lockdown, the original crew—led by Marty Goodrick—continued meeting up in his garage every week. Each person chipped in $20 a month, and they used that money to lend a hand to folks who needed it. Fast forward to January 2021, they made things official by forming a nonprofit, with Goodrick stepping in as president.

Things really started to take off after the guys raised $800 and donated it to Toys for Tots. They went out to celebrate their donation at Hooters, where they just happened to witness a bank robbery nearby. They ended up helping the police by giving witness statements, and once that story hit the news, people got curious. “After that, 20 or 30 guys reached out wanting to join us,” says founding member Nick Charalambous.

At its busiest, the group had around 40 active members. These days, it’s about 25, but they’re still donating $20 a month and raising money for all sorts of causes—breast cancer, the Special Olympics, veterans, The Humane Society, and more. “We even did a peanut butter and jelly food drive for No Kid Hungry and donated 1,000 pounds of pet food to local shelters,” Charalambous adds. “We just love helping wherever we can.”

Salty Jim’s Tavern often partners with Local 7433 for fundraising events and on May 3, they hosted one for Baby Basics of Sarasota, a nonprofit that supports low-income working families who do not qualify for government assistance, aiming to alleviate financial strain and offer community support. The event helped raise awareness and $5,500 for the organization. 

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On Friday, May 16, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., Manatee Bridge the Gap, Inc. will honor the late Troy “TK” Dodd with the inaugural Bridging the Gap Hero Award at Ballard Elementary School. Mr. Dodd, who passed away in May 2024, dedicated his career to Title I schools in Manatee County, making a lasting impact on his students and the community. Mr. Dodd began his teaching journey in 2006 at Orange Ridge-Bullock Elementary, later transferring to Rogers-Garden Bullock Elementary, and finally, Ballard Elementary School, where he served with unwavering dedication.  In memory of Mr. Dodd, Principal Rudy Keezer and Ballard Elementary School will receive a check for $100 from Manatee Bridge the Gap, Inc. to purchase new books for the Ben Carson Reading Room. Additionally, a plaque will be placed at the school to honor Mr. Dodd's contributions to education.  Manatee Bridge the Gap, Inc. is committed to bridging divides within the community related to education, law enforcement, housing, families, and poverty. This event is a testament to their mission and the impact of dedicated educators like Mr. Dodd. 

Two outstanding Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties Club members were recently awarded a four-year, full-ride college scholarship to Duquesne University thanks to Drs. Robert and Patricia Gussin. Club members Aundrayah M., a member of the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown, and Tallone H., a member of the Robert and Joan Lee Boys & Girls Club in Venice, will attend the private university in Pittsburgh as Drs. Robert and Patricia Gussin Endowed Scholars at Duquesne University. The scholarship provides tuition, fees, textbooks, and room and board for four academic years at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as part of The Gussin Spiritan Division of Academic Programs. Established in 2014, and made possible by the incredible generosity of Drs. Robert and Patricia Gussin, the Endowed Scholarship was created for those students who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence, unparalleled resilience, and have displayed outstanding leadership throughout their Club journey. 

Pictured: Dr. Pat Gussin awards Club member Aundrayah M. her full-ride scholarship to Duquesne University. Photo by Harry Sayer.

The Rotary Club of Bradenton and the Bradenton Rotary Foundation have generously granted $10,000 to the Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County (ELC) to further its Spot On Program, which supports preschoolers with developmental needs through in-class therapeutic modeling and teacher training. The ELC, a corporate member of the Rotary Club of Bradenton, is honored to partner with fellow members to advance shared goals in early childhood education and community well-being. 

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As a medical professional in the Sarasota-Manatee region, you’re invited to nominate peers who are making a meaningful impact in healthcare. Your input will help SRQ Magazine create a trusted list of top providers across specialties. Submit your nominations by June 13. Results will be featured in our November 2025 issue.