Last month Kelly Garrett took on an extraordinary challenge to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder affecting the lungs, pancreas and other vital organs. As a community partnership specialist at Empath Health—a nonprofit offering hospice and home-based care—Garrett, who lives in Venice, felt personally connected through her mother’s experience in hospice care.

Garrett planned to paddle 125 kilometers across open water—from Bimini, Bahamas, to Lake Worth, Florida—to spotlight the struggles of those living with cystic fibrosis. The event, launching at midnight in Bimini, was expected to last 18 hours.

The idea sparked after Garrett met Jennifer McGaw at Agility Physical Fitness and Physical Therapy. McGaw introduced her to Piper’s Angels, a foundation supporting those with cystic fibrosis. “I love to paddleboard and I’m always drawn to big challenges,” says Garrett. “What started as a personal test became a mission to support the CF community.”

To help cover their $2,000 per-paddler fundraising required goal, Garrett and McGaw rallied their community through grassroots efforts—from line dancing nights to a cornhole tournament. Weeks before the event, however, she ruptured a tendon in her foot and was required to wear a medical boot. Cleared only days before launch, she had to paddle on her knees. Things worsened when their support boat broke down just before departure and their support team member faced flight delays, arriving just hours before launch. With no time to rehearse, Garrett and McGaw joined a different captain’s boat. “The seas were rough—five-foot swells made it almost impossible to paddle,” she says.

At midnight on Sunday, June 22, they launched into the darkness. “It felt like fighting the ocean,” Garrett recalls. “The darkness made it hard to tell where the ocean ended and the sky began.”

Sunrise brought a rainbow, but storms forced them out of the water multiple times. Around 12:30pm on June 22, they reached Lake Worth. “Hand in hand, we ran to the finish—though I reinjured my foot,” adds Garrett. “We hit the bell, raised our flag and cried.”

Their successful crossing, despite injury and setbacks, was a powerful testament to resilience, friendship and community. Garrett’s mantra through it all: I can do hard things, and so can you. 

Pictured: Kelly Garrett paddled on her knees to raise awareness for cystic fibrosis. Provided photo.

Neal Land & Neighborhoods hosted its fourth annual food drive yielding a staggering 2,438 lbs. of non-perishable food items for Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, exceeding last year’s donation by over 220 lbs. Neal Land & Neighborhoods, led by John A. Neal, is a local land developer responsible for two award-winning master-planned communities. The community-wide food drive was held throughout June at North River Ranch, the land developer’s flagship master-planned community located at 11645 Camp Creek Trail, Parrish.The substantial donations from Neal Land & Neighborhoods’ home builders, partners, and North River Ranch residents will directly support Meals on Wheels' mission by helping to feed over 740 families in need, especially those with children who are home over the summer months and will not have access to school lunch. Among many donors are Pulte Homes, Driggers Engineering, Advanced Aquatic, RIPA and Neal Communities.  

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In a historic move to transform access to reproductive health care across Florida, Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida and Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida have officially merged, creating one unified statewide organization: Planned Parenthood of Florida. This bold unification strengthens our capacity to expand exceptional care, advocate with a unified voice, and build lasting relationships that advance reproductive freedom across the state. As Florida faces growing health disparities, increasing patient needs, and an increasingly hostile political environment, Planned Parenthood of Florida rises to meet these urgent challenges with strength, strategy, and a clear statewide vision—becoming Bigger. Better. Bolder. 

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With the passage of the budget reconciliation bill last week, our country will experience the biggest cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid in a generation. The bill will take food and health care from millions of children, seniors, veterans and people with disabilities in Florida and across the country. At a time when food insecurity is rising nationwide and the cost of food and health care remains high, this legislation will worsen the crisis. All Faiths Food Bank is deeply concerned that these cuts will eliminate the equivalent of around 6 billion meals each year and strip health care coverage from at least 8 million people. These cuts will increase challenges for people facing hunger who are doing everything they can to get by and place even greater pressure on food banks and meal programs responding to the growing need.   

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July is Park and Recreation Month, and this year’s National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) theme, “Build Together, Play Together,” highlights how communities are made stronger, more vibrant and more resilient through parks and recreation.Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) invites the community to celebrate Park and Recreation Month by attending one of the many programs and events taking place throughout July. In addition to the Events and Activities Guide, PRNR has created a special July Park and Recreation Month calendar featuring a variety of opportunities to get outside, explore local parks and connect with the community. 

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Women in Philanthropy of Sarasota, (WIP) a non-profit volunteer organization, will host their inaugural Charitable Faire on July 16, 2025, at 5:30 PM, at The Sarasota Cuban Ballet on the campus of the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, located at 4740 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota.

Women in Philanthropy Charitable Faire, July 16, 2025, 5:30pm -7:30pm, The Sarasota Cuban Ballet, 4740 Cattlemen Road, Sarasota. 

All Star Children’s Foundation announces the appointment of Clare Price and John Hoskins to its board of directors. Both bring a powerful combination of professional expertise and deep personal commitment to All Star’s mission of creating brighter futures for children in foster care. 

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources (PRNR) has received the 2025 Conservation Award from the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials (NACPRO) for its work on the Land Acquisition and Management Program rebranding and community education plan. The NACPRO Conservation Award is presented annually to organizations that demonstrate exceptional efforts to acquire, restore and preserve natural or significant conservation areas, and to those that create public awareness and appreciation for conservation initiatives. Sarasota County was selected from among nominees nationwide. 

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Community members are invited to take a complimentary behind-the-scenes tour of HCA Florida Wellen Park℠ Emergency, a freestanding emergency department and extension of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital. This is a unique opportunity to meet the dedicated emergency care team, explore the facility, and learn about the comprehensive services available—no appointment necessary. Tours are available Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at 7070 S. Tamiami Trail in Venice. All guests will receive a complimentary swag bag. 

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Join us for the inspiring 10th Annual SRQ Women Who Roar Leadership and Awards Luncheon, celebrating local women leaders who significantly impact our community. Enjoy a dynamic program featuring the introduction of the esteemed 2025 Leadership Circle inductees, engaging PopUp Boutiques, and opportunities to network during our post-event reception. 

Get ready to be inspired at the Annual Giving Coast Luncheon: Philanthropic Agenda & Good Hero Awards, recognizing local changemakers. Join us in bringing the philanthropic community together on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at Michael's On East and help celebrate the nonprofit spirit of our area. Featuring a panel of distinguished philanthropic leaders discussing giving trends, the honorable Good Hero Awards, and the interactive Giving Tree Program, this event will be nothing short of spectacular. Also highlighting the acclaimed SRQ Lifetime Good Hero Achievement Award, the program will uplift attendees and spark meaningful change.