Audrey Merkle founded The Social Circle Girls Incorporated in May with a simple mission: to support, build and invest in the community. She wasn’t sure what to expect, but five months in, she’s thrilled by the response.

“We’re a community of women hosting monthly events to give back,” says Merkle. “We partner with local businesses, and all proceeds go to nonprofits like Mothers Helping Mothers. We’ve also started our own 501(c)(3) to fund scholarships for girls in our community—whether they want to take classes, go to college or start a business.”

The group has hosted everything from fitness classes with Mantra and Pure Barre to wine tastings with Sarasota Wine Co. A crowd favorite is the quarterly “Girl Dinner,” a beachside gathering designed for connection and conversation.

With over 2,300 Instagram followers, The Social Circle Girls has quickly grown. Merkle runs the group alongside her friend and business partner, Anna Cheek, who’s been involved from day one. Both women were drawn to Sarasota for its strong community of local businesses, beautiful beaches and natural charm.

Funding for the group comes from donations, sponsorships and ticket sales. And while the name may suggest youth, attendees tend to range from 21 to 75 years of age. “There’s no age limit,” Merkle says. “We just want women to tap into their inner girlhood—be themselves, make friends, and have fun, like we did when we were kids.”

To learn more, check out the groups webpage and social media: thesocialcirclegirls.co; instagram.com/thesocialcirclegirls 

Pictured: The Social Circle co-hosts, Audrey and Anna (left to right) at their Sequins & Spritzes event in August at Arts & Central featuring Studio Bustan florals. Photo credit: Alexandra Council.

Bound to be a spectacular evening benefiting Easterseals Southwest Florida, the fundraiser will celebrate 80 years of impact, inclusion and innovation. This milestone gala, chaired by Terri and Michael Klauber, Barbara and Joe Najmy, and Susie and Cliff Walters, and honorary chairs Ginger Judge and Bob Blalock, will honor the legacy of Easterseals while raising critical funds to support the organization’s life changing services. From therapy and education to life skills, employment, and soon, housing, Easterseals Southwest Florida continues to empower individuals and families across the community to live their fullest lives. The evening will feature a celebratory cocktail reception followed by a highly anticipated catered dinner by Michael’s on East. Highlight of the evening will be keynote speaker Will Reeve, TV correspondent, ABC News. Individual tickets: $480. Sponsorships are available. For information, call 941-355-7637 or visit www.easterseals-swfl.org/support-us/events. Event planning by Mary Kenealy Events – For information, call Mary Kenealy at 941-374-6026 or 941-953-2007. 

The Women’s Resource Center (WRC), in partnership with the Florida Chamber of Commerce, is co-hosting a virtual Campaign School & Community Leadership Training, October 22-23, 5:30-8 p.m. The free, nonpartisan two-day program is open to everyone and recommended for current or future candidates, campaign workers, elected officials, and anyone interested in serving in an appointed position. All training will be conducted online. The free training program is open to all individuals and genders. To register, visit www.fipl.org/register. To learn more about WRC’s Elevating Women’s Voices campaign, visit www.mywrc.org/empoweredadvocacy.  

Sidewalks, curbs, and parking lots at The Exchange in downtown Sarasota are getting a much-needed upgrade, made possible by a $25,000 grant from the William G. and Marie Selby Foundation. The project addresses vital safety and accessibility needs at the nonprofit’s facilities, including sidewalk replacement, curbing restoration, and parking lot rehabilitation. 

Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation’s Board of Directors has announced that John Brothers will become Barancik Foundation’s next President and CEO, effective December 1. Brothers most recently served as President of T. Rowe Price Foundation and T. Rowe Price Charitable, the philanthropic arms of the Baltimore-based global investment management firm. In those roles, he oversaw more than $750 million in combined assets and over $150 million in annual giving, working with a global network of grantees, donors, and community partners while also developing innovative initiatives at the local community level. His prior experience includes executive leadership and advisory positions in philanthropy and nonprofit management. He also served on the steering committee of the Trust-Based Philanthropy Project. Brothers will succeed Teri A Hansen, who will conclude more than a decade as the start-up CEO of Barancik Foundation and a 30-plus-year career in philanthropic leadership. After 13 and a half years leading Gulf Coast Community Foundation, Hansen was hired in 2015 by Charles and Margery Barancik to transform their family foundation into a philanthropic organization equal to their dreams for the Sarasota community. 

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Senior Friendship Centers announces the continuation of its popular “Joyful Journeys” authors series this fall, made possible, in part, through a generous $6,000 sponsorship, from AARP. Amy Matovina, AARP’s associate state director for Tampa Bay, awarded the sponsorship in support of the organization’s signature literary program, which brings diverse voices — from debut memoirists to award-winning novelists — to the community. The series is also supported by the Phyllis Lovrien and Community Foundation of Sarasota County. For more information about Senior Friendship Centers, call 941-955-2122 or www.friendshipcenters.org. 

During the recent Florida Network of Youth and Family Services Annual Meeting, local child welfare agency Safe Children Coalition was named the Florida Network Agency of the Year. This award recognized SCC’s Youth Prevention Services and Youth Shelter programs for the work they do to proactively assist children and families at risk of entering the child welfare system. Additionally, longtime team member Charles Harris, who serves as SCC's Residential Programs Director, was named the Florida Network Program Manager of the Year. 

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The Patterson Foundation has hired Brian Ries as a consultant for its Community Impact initiative. In his new role, he will work with Foundation staff members and consultants to explore the role of agriculture in our region and opportunities to strengthen its impact on future generations. Brian brings over 20 years of experience in media leadership to The Patterson Foundation, with a strategic focus on cultivating public awareness and understanding of critical community issues. As a key member of the executive team at the Herald-Tribune, he successfully expanded coverage of topics vital to our region by forging partnerships with community groups and philanthropic organizations, including The Patterson Foundation. The Patterson Foundation’s Community Impact initiative aims to increase mission impact by utilizing a portion of the organization’s investment portfolio in impact investing — investments designed to create a positive impact on our world. 

The YMCA of Southwest Florida recently hosted a free Youth Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training session to equip middle and high school students with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges among their peers. The training, open to students in grades 6–12, focused on early intervention and peer support, critical tools as teen mental health concerns continue to rise. Participants learned how to identify signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use issues, how to approach and support someone in crisis, and how to connect them with appropriate help. The course also included expanded content on trauma, substance use and self-care strategies. To learn more about programs offered by the YMCA of Southwest Florida in Englewood and Venice, visit ymcaswfl.org. 

On Saturday, October 25, Nathan Benderson Park will become a sea of pink as our community rallies to end breast cancer. Whether you’re a survivor, thriver, supporter, or friend, this is your moment to be a part of something bigger – the 2025 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk! Making Strides isn’t just any walk—it’s the nation’s largest breast cancer movement! Every step fuels lifesaving research, patient support like rides and lodging, and the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 helpline. Together, Sarasota and Manatee have already raised hundreds of thousands locally to fight breast cancer—and this year, we’ll go even further. Lace up, bring your brightest pink, and join us! Hope starts here, and every stride brings us closer to a world without breast cancer. 

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Nearly 100 employees at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital were recently recognized for their years of service to the hospital and the community. Employees celebrated alongside hospital senior leaders at an evening gala, with friends and family cheering them on. Almost half of those in attendance were celebrating work anniversaries of more than 20 years. Cindy Territo, RN, who has worked in the surgical services department for 30 years, shared, “This is my family. I wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. We all love and support each other. This is a great career, and even after 30 years, I would highly recommend working in the operating room.” Robyn Epstein, who works in Radiology at HCA Florida Braden River Emergency, said that after 30 years, she is still passionate about her work. “I like talking with our patients. Everyone has a story, and it’s rewarding to know you can make a difference in their lives,” said Epstein.