Chad Day was only 23 years old when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma brain cancer, and after 17 months of intense treatment, he was just 24 when he passed away. During his final weeks, Chad received compassionate care from Tidewell Hospice. Despite her worries about the cost of such care, his mom never received a bill from Tidewell.

In honor of Chad's strength, memory and his passion for fishing, his mom, Joann Day Dormeyer organized a tournament to raise funds for the Tidewell Foundation, which directly benefits Tidewell Hospice. This event has since become a cherished springtime tradition, drawing the community together to remember Chad and make a tangible difference for others in need of similar care.

The Eighth Annual Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament and Charity Event will cast off March 28 and 29 at Tarpon Bay Grill and Tiki Bar in Sarasota, bringing anglers, friends and supporters together for a weekend of remembrance, camaraderie and purpose. This year’s tournament will be the final one, and the family is determined to make it the most meaningful yet.

“What began as a way to honor Chad has turned into something far bigger than we ever imagined,” said Joann. “The love and support we’ve felt from this community has been extraordinary. As we bring the tournament to a close, our hope is that even more people, anglers and non-anglers alike, will join us to celebrate Chad’s life and help Tidewell continue its work.”

The event will feature a catch-and-release fishing tournament complemented by raffles, silent auctions and a 50/50 drawing. A total of $8,000 in prize money will be awarded, with cash prizes across multiple fish species that give teams 11 different chances to win. One team has the opportunity to take home as much as $4,250. In addition, the raffle prizes and silent auction items exceed $15,000 in retail value. To date, the tournament has raised more than $108,000 in net proceeds.

This final event aims to make the biggest impact yet for Tidewell Foundation. 

The support of the Chad Day Fishing Tournament helps to ensure that everyone in our community has access to quality hospice care. Provided photo.

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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 Benjamin Hanan. Ben exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader. As a current Board Member of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, he plays a vital role in advancing initiatives that strengthen education, community health and resilience across our region. His thoughtful approach to governance and his ability to connect business, nonprofit and civic leaders have directly contributed to lasting, systemic impact. Ben Hanan is not just a board member—he is a connector, mentor, and changemaker whose leadership has left an indelible mark on our region. “Beyond boardrooms, his influence is felt through his character—his humility, strategic insight and steadfast belief that giving back is both a duty and a privilege. Whether addressing food insecurity, fostering regional economic growth or guiding philanthropic investment, he always leads with compassion and a long-term vision for community betterment. Congratulations Ben! 

Pictured: Benjamin Hanan (left) with Executive Publisher, Wes Roberts. Photo by Daniel Wagner, Wagner Visuals.

All Star Children’s Foundation, a foster care nonprofit in Sarasota, has received a $25,000 grant from the Bank of America Private Client Foundation to support the organization’s pursuit of national accreditation through the Council on Accreditation (COA). The funding supports accreditation for All Star’s trauma informed foster care and pediatric mental health programs and strengthens its role as an innovative model in the child welfare system. 

Easterseals Southwest Florida marked a major milestone as its 80th Anniversary Gala on March 7 raised more than $1.07 million to support children, adults, and families living with disabilities across the Suncoast. The evening brought together nearly 460 guests and featured remarks from journalist and disability advocate Will Reeve, along with a moving performance by internationally acclaimed violinist Adrian Anantawan and a powerful moment from Sgt. Steve Morin, a graduate of the Operation1Stride program at Easterseals Ranch. To learn more about Easterseals Southwest Florida or to support its mission, visit www.easterseals-swfl.org. 

The Hermitage Artist Retreat (Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO) today announced that Tony Award-nominated Broadway star and Obie Award winner Will Swenson (Hair, A Beautiful Noise, Les Misérables) will headline the 2026 Hermitage Greenfield Prize Dinner on Sunday, April 12. He will be joined by returning Hermitage Fellow Britton Smith, who has appeared in two recent Hermitage programs and will share some of his original music. 

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 Spanish rhythms, vibrant performances and a spirit of generosity filled the Circus Arts Conservatory on February 28 as more than 260 guests gathered for Senior Friendship Centers’ annual gala, “City of Lights: Under the Spanish Sky.” Inspired by the warmth and artistry of Spanish culture, the evening blended music, dance and visual spectacle while raising $500,000 to support programs that help older adults remain active, connected and supported throughout the region. For more information about Senior Friendship Centers, call 941-955-2122 or www.friendshipcenters.org. To schedule a tour of Senior Friendship Centers, call 941-556-3269. 

In one month, ALSO Youth will take part in the 2026 Giving Challenge, a 24-hour community-wide movement to support local nonprofits. It’s the biggest fundraising event of the year for ALSO Youth, and it’s an incredible opportunity to come together and make a real difference for LGBTQ+ youth. Right now, LGBTQ+ organizations in Florida need visible support more than ever. The Giving Challenge is a powerful moment when people both in Florida and across the U.S. can stand with LGBTQ+ youth here, showing them they are not alone and that there is a nationwide community that believes in their safety and future. During these 24 hours, every donation helps us provide safe spaces, life-affirming programs, mental health support, leadership opportunities, and a community where young people know they belong. Even a small gift can make a big impact, especially during the Giving Challenge when donations are amplified through matching opportunities and community support. 

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 Both the City of Venice and the Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners have recognized March 14 as “Better Together Day” to honor Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast)’s annual day of community connection. During the annual Better Together Block Party held on Saturday, March 14, City of Venice Mayor Nick Pachota presented Gulf Coast President | CEO Phillip Lanham with the proclamation in front of a large crowd at Venice’s West Blalock Park. Earlier this month, Commissioner Mark Smith recognized Better Together Day during the March 3 Sarasota County Commission meeting. “This is a meaningful honor because it shows that leaders across our region recognize the importance of community connection—and that when we come together, our whole community thrives,” said Lanham of the dual designations. For more information on Better Together, please visit gulfcoastcf.org/bt26.  

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We are honored to welcome Johnny Crowder as a keynote speaker at the Sunshine From Darkness Annual Step Into the Light Mental Health Summit. Johnny Crowder is a suicide and abuse survivor, touring musician, certified Peer Recovery Specialist, and founder of Cope Notes. Through his own journey navigating multiple mental health diagnoses, Johnny has become a powerful advocate for mental health awareness and support. At the summit, Johnny will share his personal story of resilience, recovery, and hope, offering real-life insights into the challenges of mental health and the tools that can help people move forward. His message is honest, inspiring, and a reminder that no one has to face their struggles alone. This impactful event brings our community together to break the stigma, start meaningful conversations, and shine a light on mental health. 

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On March 2, All Faiths Food Bank opened its newest Wellness Market, this one located at the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County. The market, which will expand access to nutritious food for patients and families facing food insecurity, is expected to provide groceries for up to 80 families each month. This site is the sixth Wellness Market launched by All Faiths, joining locations at DeSoto Memorial Hospital, Johns Hopkins All Children's Outpatient Care - North Port, Healthy Start Coalition of Sarasota County, and Sarasota Medical Pregnancy Center, which was the first location to open in June 2024 and operates two markets. For more information about All Faiths Food Bank and its Food is Medicine initiatives, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333. 

Safe Children Coalition was recently thrilled to receive seven donations from Gulf Coast Community Foundation charitable funds, totaling $325,000, designated toward its Youth Shelter Campaign. These funds capped Phase I ($9 million) of the Youth Shelter Campaign - covering the construction costs - and enabled SCC to move on to Phase II, which will help to furnish the shelter as well as to outfit the backyard so that it's suitable for the young, temporary residents of the facility. For more information or to contribute to SCC’s Youth Shelter Campaign, visit sccyouthshelter.org or contact Jacqueline House at jhouse@sccfl.org or 941-371-4799, ext. 1127.led SCC to move on to Phase II, which will help to furnish the shelter as well as to outfit the backyard so that it's suitable for the young, temporary residents of the facility.