Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations—from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. This year, attendees were thrilled to be together as we recognized these individuals at our annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Awards luncheon and panel discussion on December 10 at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. In the coming weeks, we are happy to feature each of the ten honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.

Today we are recognizing Steve Roskamp. Steve has been an active and impactful Board member of the Manatee Community Foundation for over 6 years. In 2017 Steve and his wife Carolyn established the Soar in 4 Fund at MCF to address early literacy and school readiness in Manatee County. Through Steve's passion and leadership, Soar in 4 has grown since its inception to serve thousands of children in Manatee County. Congratulations Steve! 

Pictured: Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine (left) with Steve Roskamp. Photo by Dan Wagner, Wagner Visuals.

Local food bank / hunger relief organization All Faiths Food Bank recently hosted scores of its dedicated volunteers for its annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon. All Faiths has one of the most robust volunteer corps in the region, with thousands of caring community members contributing tens of thousands of hours to help their neighbors who may be experiencing hunger. Last year, 3,200 volunteers contributed more than 59,000 hours at tasks including food sorting and packing, helping at mobile pantries, assisting with administrative duties, supporting special events, and more. As summer approaches, the need for additional volunteers is critical, to fill gaps created when part-time residents flee the heat, while others leave for vacation. From May through September, the organization needs around 800 volunteers to cover approximately 12,000 volunteer hours for its planned outdoor mobile food distributions. Visit allfaithsfoodbank.org. 

Lauren Guizzetti, a four-year-old from Harris, Minnesota, who has been battling a malignant brain tumor, wished to build sandcastles on the beach, which she did, along with big sister, Maddison, her mom, dad, and grandparents. The trip to the Suncoast was a welcome respite from the multiple surgeries and lengthy hospitalizations the family has endured, and also a celebration of recent MRI scans that indicate Lauren’s cancer is currently in remission.   

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Senior Friendship Centers (SFC) has received a grant from The Salah Foundation to strengthen its Friendship at Home program by expanding critical assistance for low-income, homebound seniors across Southwest Florida.The support will enable SFC to assemble and deliver more than 1,000 food and cleaning supply bags to older adults who are unable to shop or leave their homes independently to Senior Friendship Centers’ clients across Sarasota, Charlotte, Desoto, and Lee counties. This helps ensure access to nourishment, safe living conditions, and stability for some of the region’s most vulnerable residents.  For program inquiries, please call (941) 955-2122 or visit www.friendshipcenters.org 

On Thursday, April 16, at The Ora Sarasota, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe will present its spring fundraiser, the "April Fête: Boogie Wonderland." The event, which benefits WBTT's education programs, will include live performances by Stage of Discovery students and fan favorite professional artists, a delicious meal catered by Michael's On East, and a lively afterparty with live music (featuring the hottest Motown hits of the '60s and '70s, of course) and dancing. Tickets are $200; sponsorships are still available. Contact Debra Flynt-Garrett to inquire about sponsorships at 941-404-7755 or dfgarrett@westcoastblacktheatre.org; visit westcoastblacktheatre.org to purchase tickets. 

The Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County and One Stop Housing announce Artscape, an innovative affordable housing community designed specifically for artists, performers, and employees within the creative sector. Located at 2309-2329 N Tamiami Trail, the development represents a unique collaboration between the Alliance, One Stop Housing, cultural organizations, and local philanthropy to address a growing need in the region. Artscape will offer 75 affordable units, managed by One Stop Housing, where residents can live, practice, and perform, all in one place. The development will be anchored by a gallery and event space operated by the Alliance, providing an artistic home where residents and the broader community can display and showcase their work throughout the year. More than just housing, Artscape fosters artistic expression and collaboration within a community led by creativity for this generation and the next. To learn more about Artscape, please visit:  https://onestophousing.com/artscape  

Pines of Sarasota Foundation is proud to announce it has received a $25,000 grant from The Henson Fund to support The Learning Tree, the childcare program located on the Pines of Sarasota campus. For more than three decades, The Learning Tree has provided a nurturing and stimulating environment for children ages six months to five years. The center delivers high-quality early childhood education designed to promote cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. In addition to serving families throughout the community, The Learning Tree also supports Pines staff by offering convenient, on-campus childcare—helping working parents balance career and family responsibilities. Dr. Bianca Harris, Director of Programs for The Henson Fund, said the grant reflects the organization’s commitment to investing in early education. “Early childhood is one of the most critical stages of development,” Harris said. “When children have access to nutritious meals, safe learning environments, and well-supported educators, they are positioned to thrive not just in school, but in life.”  

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The historic Leonard Reid House celebrates 100 years in existence with an array of events throughout the year. From a presentation about parrots to a book fair celebrating access to literacy, the family friendly events commemorate the core beliefs of the pioneering family who shaped Sarasota’s history. In collaboration with Jungle Gardens' avian keepers, Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) presents, "Hello Pretty Bird." It's an hourlong program about the world of colorful parrots and the stories of Overtown residents who remember the Reid family's two large, talking birds. The event takes place at 2529 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL from 1 - 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 12. To learn moreabout SAACC’s mission, please visit https://thesaacc.org/