SRQ DAILY Dec 3, 2025
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Every rope pulled helps power our Inclusion Revolution Integrated Jobs Program, creating real jobs, real paychecks and real dignity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities right here in our community."
On January 31, head to Nathan Benderson Park and help pull a full-size Breeze Transit bus to support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Inclusion Revolution, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, provides job-skills training, secure employment opportunities and impactful art programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. By forging strategic business partnerships, creating job placements and celebrating success stories, the organization is pushing back against the long-standing exclusion of these individuals from the workforce and community—building a truly inclusive society, one opportunity at a time.
Their first-ever Bus Pull for Inclusion invites teams of eight, plus an Inclusion Revolution Superstar—meeting your Superstar is the best part—to compete in pulling a 33,000-pound bus 20 feet faster than anyone else, all in the name of inclusion, dignity and community pride.
From firefighters and police officers to attorneys, bridge clubs and bankers—anyone can captain a team and make a difference. This isn’t your average fundraiser; it’s a high-energy, full-throttle challenge with purpose. The fastest 20-foot pull wins bragging rights, glory and the outrageous “Pullitzer Prize.”
“If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to move a giant transit bus, here’s your chance to find out and do something meaningful at the same time. The Bus Pull for Inclusion is big, loud and a little over-the-top on purpose; we want teams to show up hungry to compete," says Inclusion Revolution Founder, Beaver Shriver. "Every rope pulled helps power our Inclusion Revolution Integrated Jobs Program, creating real jobs, real paychecks and real dignity for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities right here in our community.”
Cost: $1,000 per team ($125 per puller), with every dollar fueling Inclusion Revolution’s job programs and on-the-job coaching for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Saturday, January 31, 8:00am-12pm, Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota. 
Some cycles are easy to see. Others unfold quietly behind closed doors—a child who stops laughing, a parent overwhelmed by the weight of each day, a veteran who no longer recognizes the person staring back in the mirror. On the outside, life looks fine. On the inside, something quietly unravels. This crisis isn’t happening somewhere else. It’s unfolding in the lives of people we pass in the grocery store, wave to in the neighborhood, and sit beside at work, often without ever knowing they’re hurting. For families with limited resources, the holidays can add extra pressure. This year, more than 700 families have turned to Centerstone for help—our highest number yet. As you consider ways to spread kindness this season, please keep Centerstone in your holiday giving plans. With your support, we can turn worry into relief and hardship into hope for hundreds of local families.
Last month, 24 dynamic community leaders from across the region graduated from the Fall 2025 Gulf Coast Board Institute (GCBI). The group represents the 19th class to participate in Gulf Coast Community Foundation’s (Gulf Coast’s) long-standing board development initiative. Additionally, applications for the Winter 2026 cohort are now open. The Institute provides interactive, high-level board governance training to new and veteran nonprofit board members to expand their understanding of governance best practices. The training is part of Gulf Coast’s Invest in Incredible (i3) initiative, which serves as a resource for regional nonprofits to strengthen the board governance and operational effectiveness of area nonprofits. Applications for Gulf Coast’s Winter 2026 GCBI will close on Sunday, December 14. The online application and overview for the program are available at www.gulfcoastcf.org/GCBI
Child welfare agency Safe Children Coalition was recently thrilled to receive a second gift of $250,000 from the Leonard and Judith Schwartzbaum Family Foundation. This contribution has enabled SCC to reach its Phase I goal of $9 million for its Youth Shelter Campaign. Phase I funds are supporting the construction costs for the new Youth Shelter; Phase II will provide furnishings as well as exterior/property enhancements.
Provide unlimited access to our two bayfront sanctuaries 364 days a year through aSelby Gardens membership! With stunning exhibitions and innovative programming, a membership provides meaningful experiences all year long! Members enjoy many benefits such as the opportunity to see exhibitions before the general public, reciprocal membership to hundreds of botanical gardens across the US and Canada, the ability to dine at The Green Orchid by Michael's On East any time, and discounts on events, classes and shopping!
Soundbox Ventures announces its 2025–26 season, unveiling a bold new structure that reimagines how audiences engage with contemporary music, artist development, and creative collaboration. The upcoming season, which spans December 2025 through July 2026, marks a major evolution in the organization’s mission-driven programming. For more information, visit www.soundboxventures.org.
Before coming to Operation New Hope, Shannon faced years of instability and wasn’t sure what her future would look like after incarceration. Everything changed when she joined the Ready4Work program in Space Coast, Florida. Through career development training, case management, transportation assistance, and steady encouragement, Shannon rebuilt her confidence and transformed her life. “After graduating from Ready4Work, my whole life changed. Now, I have a full-time job, my own car, an apartment, and I’m sober and happy. I’m building something to last. Operation New Hope encouraged, inspired, and prepared me for the workforce,” she said. Every gift helps someone like Shannon move forward with dignity, stability, and the support they need to succeed.
All are invited to celebrate the Festival of Lights at Hanukkah Under the Big Top, hosted by University Town Center (UTC) on Wednesday, December 17, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. This free community celebration, held inside Nik Wallenda’s theater-style circus tent in the East District at UTC, promises an evening filled with music, joy, and festive fun for all ages. Lighting up the evening will be Six13, a critically acclaimed six-man Jewish a cappella group known for their high-energy vocals and creative musical parodies. Based in New York City, Six13 has earned widespread popularity for hits like “Bohemian Chanukah,” their spin on Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and “Era-lution,” a Taylor Swift–inspired medley retelling the Hanukkah story. The group has won numerous awards and performed at prestigious venues including The White House, The Kennedy Center, Madison Square Garden and stages around the world. In addition to the free concert, guests can enjoy face painting, family-friendly activities, festive treats, and plenty of holiday cheer as the community comes together to celebrate the holiday.
Wellen Park is spreading the holiday cheer this year with Wellen Wonderland, a multiday celebration featuring beloved holiday traditions and the arrival of Santa Claus. Events take place Thursday, Dec. 4, to Sunday, Dec. 7, in Downtown Wellen and include the community’s annual tree lighting, bicycles and golf carts all aglow, and musical performances by local schoolchildren, the acclaimed American Sirens and more.
Downtown Wellen, 19725 Wellen Pk Blvd, North Port, FL 34293
SCFD is proud to welcome the community into the fire stations, continuing the tradition of open houses. These open houses are a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage directly with neighborhood firefighters. Visit our website to view the open house schedule.
Multiple Location, Multiple Locations
This long-term installation in Gallery 10 of the Museum of Art showcases five outstanding examples of 17th-century Dutch painting on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Featuring a dramatic seascape, an expansive landscape, and captivating portraits set in detailed interiors, this exhibition offers a window into the vibrant artistic production of the Netherlands as the small nation rose to global prominence in the 17th century. The five exceptional paintings from the collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, complement The Ringling's holdings of Dutch art and provide additional perspective on the artistry, historical significance, and continuing appeal of Dutch painting from this period.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota
Mayer explores the impact of technology on the human body through this interactive sculpture series. Slumpies invites viewers to sit and slump on these sculptures, much like furniture, and find a place of comfort while using their technological devices.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Juana Romani (1867–1924) was one of the most fascinating and successful painters in late-nineteenth-century Paris. Born in Italy, Juana—whose given name was Giovanna Carlesimo—moved to Paris with her mother and stepfather at the age of ten. She took up painting, studying under the well-known painters Jean-Jacques Henner (1829–1905) and Ferdinand Roybet (1840–1920). Romani quickly earned both critical praise and significant fame for her deftly painted, richly colorful depictions of strong, sensual women adorned in lavish textiles.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Art immersion class for children ages 6-18. Small classes with fine arts materials. Visit linarinconart.com for more information and to register.
Creative Liberties Artist Studios, Gallery & Creative Academy, 927 N Lime Ave., Sarasota, FL 34237
This promises to be a memorable evening of music that speaks to the heart, the mind and maybe even your feet! Doors open 6:30 pm for dinner and beverage service.
Florida Studio Theatre, 1265 First Street at Cocoanut Ave, Sarasota
A bi-monthly open jam session for professional and non-professional musicians in the Geldbart Auditorium at the downtown Selby Library. The jam begins at 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm. Event is free and open to all. A viewing audience is welcome and encouraged. Piano, bass and drum are on site. A fun, social and entertaining event. Come, sign up to play or sing, or just come out to watch and enjoy.
Selby Library, 1331 1st St, Sarasota
Renowned for his evocative renderings of light, mist, and glowing colour, visionary artist Yoshida Hiroshi (Japanese, 1876–1950) gathered his subject matter from his travels across the Americas, Europe, north Africa, and Asia. Back in his studio, he translated his sketches into the medium of polychrome woodblock printing—an artform perfected over 200 years of Japanese history.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The summer 2026 exhibition at Selby Gardens will celebrate the creative collaboration between two legendary figures and longtime friends, photographer Lynn Goldsmith and singer-songwriter Patti Smith, who is Selby Gardens’ artist in residence. The exhibition will feature Goldsmith’s photographs of Smith, past and present, in the Museum of Botany & the Arts. The images will offer an intimate portrait of an iconic artist over the course of her remarkable career.
Selby Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
If you are oyster curious or just craving the fresh coastal seafood & hand-crafted cocktails from your new Rosemary District favorite, join us at Lefty's for our daily Happy Hours Monday - Friday from 4 pm - 6 pm and our Late Night Happy Hours every night from 9:00-Close. With seafood offerings from the Steamer and Buck-A-Shucks on oysters plus our extensive wine, specialty and seasonal cocktails and draft beers, Lefty's has your recipe to get happier and explore our menus. Join us every day for Lunch, Happy Hours or Dinner and for our downtown neighbors and Hospitality industry colleagues, we'll have live music and keep the light on for you on the weekends!
Lefty's Oyster and Seafood Bar, 428 N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Every Sunday at 11 a.m., enjoy tranquil views of the manatees being cared for in the Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat while engaging in yoga poses focused on balance, flexibility, and strength. Guests will need to bring their own yoga mats. Proceeds support the rehabilitation and return of manatees to the wild. Group size is limited to 15 participants, and advance registration is required. Ages 7 and up welcome!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
This outrageous musical comedy follows the adventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. With standing room only productions in London, on Broadway, and across North America, The Book of Mormon has truly become an international sensation.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Enjoy the most wonderful time of the year with family and friends at our annual celebration of music and togetherness. Become immersed in beloved Christmas carols and memorable seasonal tunes such as Good King Wenceslas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Sleigh Ride and Mary Did You Know? Special performances by guest vocalist Christal Rheams and the Key Chorale.
Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave Building 5, Venice, FL 34285
A gala performance by Summer Intensive dancers from around the world.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
There's much ado about something in this whip-smart, laugh-out-loud new romantic comedy from Lauren Gunderson. Lady Disdain is a fast-paced, razor-sharp riff on the deliciously dramatic world of Fantasy Romance novels (yes, those ones-you know them, you love them). Beatrice and Benedict, rival audiobook narrators with voices made for swooning and tempers made for sparring, are locked in a battle of wits, words, and wildly inconvenient attraction. Asolo Rep proudly presents this world premiere from one of America's most celebrated and funny playwrights.
Asolo Repertory Theatre, 5555 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
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