For the past eight years, fourth graders at Hershorin Schiff Community Day School (CDS) have been part of a bridge-building pen pal program with the Walworth Barbour International American School in Even Yehuda, Israel. This classroom project has blossomed into an ongoing cross-cultural exchange, building friendships, understanding and real-world learning experiences across the globe.

Over the years, the program has thrived, with retiring educators passing the baton to new colleagues in Israel to ensure continuity and growth. The enduring commitment on both sides reflects the deep value placed on cultivating meaningful global connections for students.

“At Community Day School, we believe that writers deserve to write for real — to write for an audience of readers, not just for the teacher’s red pen,” said Head of School Dan Ceaser. “This pen pal program gives our students an authentic purpose for writing while also expanding their worldview and deepening their appreciation for cultural differences.”

In one letter from a CDC student named Sophie to her Israeli pen pals, Gabriel and Alina, Sophie discusses the interesting things she learned from their previous letter, such as their best friends, where they've lived and traveled, facts about Israel and their class, their school schedule and celebrations.

“It is so nice to have a pen pal from Israel,” Sophie writes.”It is so great to get to know such a different lifestyle that someone has and get to know how that is!”

Nine-year-old Lily writes to her pen pal, Matan in Israel: “I’ll tell you a little about Florida. It is always hot, but there are beautiful beaches.”

With every letter sent, these students are showing that even from thousands of miles away, a little curiosity and kindness can go a long way. 

Pictured: CDC students are building friendship through letter writing with pen pals in Israel. Provided photo.

“I know that there are people there to help me and I'm not alone,” shared one pregnant mother in Manatee County who received support through First 1,000 Days. “Knowing that has really made a positive impact on my mental health. I've been able to get help for myself and my kids which has been amazing.” Stories like this reflect the growing impact of the First 1,000 Days Suncoast initiative, which works to ensure families have the resources they need during pregnancy and the first three years of a child’s life. Community support has been critical to the success of this initiative. The Bishop-Parker Foundation has granted $150,000 over the past two years to ensure Manatee County families would have access to the critical services First 1,000 Days offers. 28% of families served reside in Manatee County. To spread awareness about the initiative and its services, parents and professionals can access First1000DaysSuncoast.org. 

Students who are falling behind their peers because of reading disabilities are receiving extra assistance and support this school year in part from a coordinated effort to address dyslexia and other learning disorders led by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Through its Strauss Literacy Initiative, the foundation has recently directed more than $1.2 million in grant funding to regional partners to identify students who may benefit from help, coach teachers and administrators in how to better assist them, offer scholarships and more. The goal: a future in which all students with reading differences receive the support they need to thrive. Grants issued from the Ira and Patricia Strauss Fund for Children’s Literacy since last December have gone to longstanding Strauss partners such as the School Board of Sarasota County, the School District of Manatee County, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, St. Mary Academy and State College of Florida. A grant to the School District of DeSoto County, meanwhile, represents the fund’s first foray into DeSoto County public schools and marks a new chapter in the evolution of the Strauss initiative. 

The Child Protection Center (CPC) proudly presented its prestigious Child Advocate of the Year Award to the late Doug and Sherry Chapman. This heartfelt tribute recognized the Chapmans' unwavering commitment, visionary philanthropy, and profound impact on the lives of children affected by abuse. The Child Protection Center’s (CPC) mission is the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse, as the organization envisions a community where children are safe from abuse and free to thrive. For 45 years, CPC has been serving Sarasota and DeSoto Counties in the State of Florida and is accredited by the National Children’s Alliance. For more information on CPC or to inquire about ways to get involved, please visit them at  www.cpcsarasota.org or call 941-365-1277.  

There are just a few days left to take Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast)’s 2025 Regional Scan, a brief 5-minute digital survey designed to identify, assess, and prioritize our region’s greatest needs through community input. The survey will track what is working well in our region, what should be re-evaluated, and what resources are needed to strengthen our area. Gulf Coast partnered with a local data scientist to design and launch the survey to collect different perspectives across geographies, demographics, community sectors, and lived experiences. This year, there has been an intentional shift to highlight information and areas of growth for not just Gulf Coast, but also for its partners, local decision-makers, and the community-at-large. The Regional Scan closes on Sunday, October 26. To complete the survey and share with your personal and professional networks, please visit GulfCoastCF.org. 

Join All Faiths Food Bank Sunday, Nov. 9, at Ed Smith Stadium for Bowls of Hope – one of the community’s largest and most popular events. Enjoy delicious soups, breads, desserts and more, served by dozens of the area’s finest restaurants and caterers. Guests have the opportunity to select from beautiful, handcrafted bowls to keep – donated by local potters, artists and students – signifying the empty bowls filled through your generous support. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org for tickets. 

More than a year after receiving a $5,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, La Musica Chamber Music reports that the strategic growth plan funded by the grant has already yielded impressive results. Developed with consultant Vicki Raeburn, president of Scofield Partners, the three-year plan has become the foundation for La Musica’s ongoing planning and outreach strategies. Through focus groups with community stakeholders, audience members, and patrons, Raeburn identified key opportunities that informed a series of targeted initiatives. These include affinity-group outreach to area college and university alumni organizations and a refreshed approach to marketing and donor engagement.  

The Suncoast Foundation for Handicapped Children, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that was founded to support local nonprofits that provide services for people with disabilities, recently announced it raised $45,134 during its 13th Annual Fun Shoot. Held at the Trap, Skeet and Sporting Clays Club Pavilion on Friday, October 10, 2025, 34 teams traveled from 12 stations to shoot clay pigeons, with a goal of hitting more than anyone else. The event also included a barbecue cookout by local pitmaster Getchewsum BBQ, awards, sportsman’s raffle and camaraderie with fellow supporters. Warren Schilling, Ben Adams, Nicole Adams and Caleb Adams from Fine Line Custom Millwork took first place at the event. Of the 136 shooters, Caleb Adams from Fine Line Custom Millwork was named with Best Men’s Individual Score, and Karen Locke of Seminole Casino Hotel was bestowed Best Women’s Individual Score.  

On January 23, 2026, Sunshine from Darkness will present its annual Inspiring Hope Dinner, with proceeds to benefit youth resiliency programs, educational initiatives, and community outreach. This year's event will feature entertainment by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder/artistic director Nate Jacobs and Naärai; the bestowing of the 2026 Lee & Bob Peterson Legacy Award on the Karp Family; testimonials by program participants; dinner; and dancing. 

Manatee Community Foundation has launched The Giving Gallery, an online space designed to connect visionary donors with innovative projects. This curated list of funding opportunities serves as a co-investment catalog where generosity meets opportunity – a place where individuals can align their passions with transformative community work. Through The Giving Gallery, donors can explore projects that reflect the mission and commitment of local nonprofit partners, strengthening education, culture, health, and human services across our region. Every opportunity featured has been carefully reviewed through MCF’s grantmaking process or selected by invitation, ensuring integrity, impact, and alignment with shared community goals. To find out more about the funding requests or contribute to a project, visit The Giving Gallery or contact MCF at (941) 747-7765 or philanthropy@manateecf.org. For information on ways to invest in our community, visit www.manateecf.org. 

The Kiwanis Club of Sarasota invites the public to attend its 12th annual breakfast honoring military veterans on November 10, 7:00 to 9:00 a.m., at Carlisle Inn, 3727 Bahia Vista Street in Sarasota. To register for this breakfast ($25 per person), visit sarasota-kiwanis-foundation-inc.square.site; call or text Kim Noyes at (941) 228-9144; or mail a check made payable to Sarasota Kiwanis Foundation to Sarasota Kiwanis Foundation, 6120 S. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota. The keynote speaker of this special breakfast is Ron Turner, supervisor of elections, proud veteran of the United States Army, and a member of the Disabled American Veterans. Kiwanis clubs and members conduct service projects based on community needs, hold fundraisers, and donate to the Kiwanis Children’s Fund. They change children’s lives in their own communities and through international initiatives — helping young people develop mentally, physically, and emotionally. Every year, Kiwanis members stage more than 1.3 million service projects and raise nearly $390 million for children, families, and communities around the world.