Felicia Donson’s journey with Mom's Book Nook began with a beautiful partnership--that of a mother and daughter united in their passion for giving back. “My mother, a retired nurse from Sarasota Memorial Hospital, was not just my parent but my dearest friend and inspiration,” says Donson. “Together, we discovered the joy of volunteering, particularly through the hospital's corporate volunteer program.”

Donson’s mom had a passion for helping children and found a perfect way to do that when she connected with a close family friend who was a retired teacher. This friend's former classroom became their canvas for spreading the love of reading.

“We took great pleasure in curating and expanding her classroom library, ensuring it was well-stocked for each school year. But our efforts didn't stop at the classroom door. We made it our mission to place books directly into the hands of students, gifting them literature to enjoy during holiday breaks and summer vacations. The goal was simple yet profound: to nurture a love for reading that extended beyond the school walls and into their daily lives,” Donson says.

The response from the students was heartwarming. Their enthusiasm for reading blossomed under their teacher's guidance, and soon, waiting lists formed for the books provided. It was clear that the mother-daughter team was not just distributing books; they were opening doors to new worlds and possibilities. However, the most treasured outcome of our efforts wasn't found in the pages of the books shared, but in the heartfelt thank-you notes penned by the students. Their words of gratitude, expressing how our small acts had touched their lives, became the most precious reward. These notes served as a powerful reminder of the impact that sharing knowledge and stories can have on young minds.

This experience laid the foundation for what Mom's Book Nook stands for today - a continuation of that same spirit of giving, learning, and connecting through the magic of books.

Since March, Mom’s Book Nook has donated over 4,600 books. They are hoping to reach 5,000 by the end of the year and double it next year. Some organizations that have benefited from the donations include Forty Carrots, SPARCC, JFCS, First 1000 Days, Early Learning Coalition, Girls Inc., Baby Fox Academy and the Sarasota Police Department.

“The gift of reading and love of books is one of the most valuable treasures we can provide our children,” says Michelle Kapreilian, CEO of Forty Carrots Family Center. “Thank you to Felicia for creating Mom’s Book Nook! Forty Carrots Family Center is proud to be a partner helping to share the joy of learning throughout our local community.” 

Pictured: Felicia Donson with her mom, Elaine. Provided photo.

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For 25 years, the holiday season at Miromar Outlets has meant more than twinkling lights and festive shopping. Through its beloved Wrap It Up program, Miromar Outlets has delivered the joy of giving to over ten thousand   students in Immokalee, Florida, donating more than 12,000 personalized gifts over the program’s history. This year, Miromar Outlets team members will continue the cherished tradition by donating more than 1,500 personalized gifts to children enrolled in pre-kindergarten programs at seven schools across Collier County. The gifts will be delivered on Tuesday, December 18, bringing holiday excitement directly into classrooms. Miromar Outlets is located at Exit 123 off I-75 on Miromar Outlets Boulevard in Estero, between Naples and Fort Myers. For holiday sales, events, and dining offers, visit MiromarOutlets.com. 

Senior Friendship Centers receives $80,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County (CFSC) to launch a Senior Services Resilience Navigator position dedicated to supporting older adults in Charlotte County. This new role will provide individualized support to seniors who continue to face long-term challenges from recent storm seasons—helping them prepare, stay safe, and recover with greater stability and independence. Funding for this program is provided by the Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.  For more information about Senior Friendship Centers, call (941) 955-2122 or visit www.friendshipcenters.org  

The Mayors’ Feed the Hungry Program, a longstanding community initiative dedicated to fighting food insecurity across Sarasota and Manatee Counties, is distributing food gift cards to local food pantries to provide food assistance during the holiday season. You can help support us by making a donation online or mail to Mayors’ Feed the Hungry, PO Box 1992, Sarasota, FL 34230. 

The Dec 20th Movement Market is just around the corner, offering the community an energizing and immersive wellness experience that blends movement, self-care, local vendors, and philanthropy. This one-day event invites attendees of all ages and fitness levels to come move, connect, and make a difference. The Movement Market will feature a wide range of wellness-focused experiences, including free group fitness classes, $10 ten-minute facials, massages, ice plunges, and the Dryvebox Mobile Golf Simulator. Guests can also explore curated vendors offering products and services that support a healthy, balanced lifestyle, enjoy food and drink offerings, and vibe to music from a featured DJ throughout the day. What makes the Dec 20th Movement Market especially meaningful is its mission-driven focus. All donations collected during the event will directly support the Humane Society of Manatee County. Donations are optional and appreciated, but not required to attend or participate. 

This coming Thursday, December 18, Goodwill Manasota will achieve something it has long wanted: to open a retail store on Longboat Key. The Goodwill Bookstore & ADC (3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive) will celebrate the occasion with a ribbon-cutting at 8 a.m. as well as a book signing/book giveaway featuring local author Beth Rice. 

The Suncoast Black Arts Collaborative (SBAC) will launch its 2026 Affinity Circle Membership Drive with a public fundraising event on Friday, January 9, featuring an art sale from 3-4 p.m., followed by a membership drive and reception from 4 to 5:30 p.m., at Gulf Coast Community Foundation Philanthropy Center, 1549 State Street, Sarasota. The event invites community members to support SBAC’s continued work amplifying artists of African descent and BIPOC cultures through exhibitions, partnerships, and artist development initiatives across the Suncoast. The event is free, but registration is required at SuncoastBlackArtsCollaborative.org. 

HCA Florida Healthcare announced today that the HCA Healthcare Foundation has awarded a $25,000 grant to All Faiths Food Bank to support its mission of providing healthy solutions to end hunger in our community as part of its Community Catalyst Grant Program. The funding is through the HCA Healthcare Foundation’s Healthier Tomorrow Fund, a community impact fund that addresses high-priority community needs. All Faiths Food Bank distributed 20.4 million meals to children, families, veterans, and those in crisis last year. One innovative initiative, the Food is Medicine program, exemplifies the critical link between nutrition and health, aiming to improve health outcomes by integrating food access into healthcare. 

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This year, the holidays of thousands of community members in Sarasota and DeSoto counties have been and will continue to be made brighter thanks to the generosity of area individuals, foundations and corporations who contributed to All Faiths Food Bank's ThankFULL campaign. This year's effort provided 14,500 complete Thanksgiving meals and will provide approximately 4.1 holiday meals for our neighbors who are experiencing hunger. 

Creative Liberties presents “Reflected Currents,” a two-month collaborative residency and exhibition by artists Sandra Wix and Gary LaParl, on view January through February 2026 at Creative Liberties at ARCOS, 340 Central Ave., Sarasota. The exhibition includes individual works, process studies, and newly created collaborative pieces that will be developed during the artists’ residency. An opening reception is Wednesday, January 21, 5-7 p.m. An open house and new work review is Saturday, February 21, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 

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More than 1,000 local children, families, teachers, and school staff enjoyed complimentary access to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ Lights in Bloom® holiday light show this season thanks to a partnership between Selby Gardens and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. Through the Family Togetherness program, which is funded by the Community Foundation, Selby Gardens offered a complimentary evening for children and families from Title 1 schools and local youth-serving organizations who otherwise might not have been able to see the award-winning light show. This marked the seventh year that families experienced this exclusive opportunity to attend Lights in Bloom® through support from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. The Family Togetherness program is part of the Ann Winslow Donelly and Norbert P. Donelly Family and Community Engagement Series at Selby Gardens. 

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Recent revitalization efforts centered around Bradenton’s urban core mark an exciting time for this dynamic destination on Florida’s West Coast – positively impacting both local residents and businesses, as well as the more than one million people who visit the Bradenton Area each year. Enhancements such as the newly transformed Bradenton Area Convention Center and its connected headquarters hotel, Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, are already contributing to a boost in the local economy, attracting a new meetings and conventions audience to the area. Additionally, the launch of the Gulf Islands Ferry in 2024 supports this intentional growth, proactively streamlining transportation between the mainland and Anna Maria Island while championing the destination’s Love It Like A Local initiative that encourages residents and visitors to make sustainable choices. Continued expansion of the Bradenton Riverwalk also remains a significant driver of city growth and connection. Overlooking the Manatee River, this ADA-friendly walking path now stretches three miles, providing added opportunities for outdoor recreation, public art, and community events, like the popular Bradenton Public Market and the inaugural BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival). With the increased pedestrian traffic along the path and nearby restaurants and attractions, even more businesses are expected to plant roots in Bradenton’s urban core. 

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