SRQ DAILY Mar 25, 2026
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"We want every child to have the chance to escape into a story, to feel seen and to imagine new possibilities."
Last year, we introduced our readers to Mom’s Book Nook–a new community initiative bringing the joy of reading to young readers. Founded by Felicia Donson in honor of her late mother, Elaine Rothberg, the organization carries forward Rothberg’s legacy of compassion and generosity. A retired SMH nurse, Rothberg believed deeply that small acts of kindness—like sharing a book—could brighten a child’s day and open doors to new possibilities. Together, mother and daughter discovered a shared passion for volunteering and promoting literacy. Their efforts began by curating and expanding a classroom library for a retired teacher and family friend. What started as a small project quickly evolved into a broader mission: placing books directly into the hands of children, especially during holidays and summer breaks when access can be limited. Their first donation—250 books—went to Jewish Family & Children’s Service of the Suncoast.
Just one year later, Mom’s Book Nook has grown into a community-wide initiative, donating more than 7,000 books and partnering with numerous local organizations serving children.
Many of these partners have shared their gratitude with Donson:
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center’s VP of Philanthropy, MaryEllen Mancini, explained how the donation of beautiful new children’s books to SPARCC’s emergency shelter and holiday toy program has brought joy. “These stories are more than pages and pictures—they are pathways to comfort, imagination, and hope for our youngest survivors."
Community Engagement Manager for Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, Valerie Knapp, said, “Through Mom’s Book Nook, our members have access to stories that inspire curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. We are proud to partner with an organization that shares our commitment to empowering youth and strengthening our community.”
“We want every child to have the chance to escape into a story, to feel seen and to imagine new possibilities,” Donson said.
Mom’s Book Nook is currently seeking additional nonprofit and school partners, as well as individuals and businesses interested in supporting the initiative’s continued growth. 
Pictured: Felicia Donson believes that a book can open a door to curiosity, imagination and confidence. Provided photo.
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 Sepi Ackerman. Sepi is the Co-founder and President of Holiday House SRQ. Sepi’s nominator says this about her. “I got a chance to help Sepi with the Holiday House SRQ in December 2024. I was a videographer filming little kids walking into a room full of gifts they could pick for their families and even themselves. Seeing their smiles and how happy they were melted my heart. The work Sepi puts into Holiday House is absolutely incredible. She was just off surgery on the day I was there, no one expected her to be there, yet she showed up and personally was setting up gifts at Wilkinson school, still not feeling well, yet full of enthusiasm and desire to help kids who can't afford gifts.” Congratulations, Sepi!
Pictured: Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine (left) with Sepi Ackerman. Photo by Dan Wagner, Wagner Visuals.
Parenting Matters is proud to announce it has been awarded an $8,000 Capacity Building Grant from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County to support a consultant-led strategic planning initiative designed to guide the organization’s next phase of growth and impact. This funding will support the development of a comprehensive strategic plan focused on aligning leadership and board vision, strengthening organizational direction, and equipping the organization to respond to evolving community needs. The initiative comes at a critical time as Parenting Matters.
The Military Heritage Museum is proud to host a special Giving Challenge Pop-Up Event on Wednesday, April 15, 2026 from noon to 5 p.m. at the museum, located at 900 West Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. For more information or to attend the April 15 event, please go to the website and sign up at www.militaryheritagemuseum.org or call 941-575-9002.
Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s is proud to announce the return of The Parkinson’s Expo on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at the Bradenton Area Convention Center in Palmetto, Florida. The expo will run 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM, with the educational program beginning at 10:00 AM. This signature, full-day event is free to attend—both in person and online—thanks to generous sponsors and community partners. Registration is required. Reserve your seat today at ParkinsonsExpo.org Call (941) 926-6413 for more information.
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), and Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is leading a month-long effort to recognize Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) by bringing the community together through education, outreach, and meaningful opportunities to support survivors. Throughout the month, SPARCC will host and participate in a variety of events designed to spark conversation, increase understanding, and encourage community involvement. From awareness days to family-friendly activities and fundraisers, each initiative plays a role in building a safer and more informed community. For more information about how SPARCC supports survivors of domestic and sexual violence and their loved ones, or to view the full calendar of events, visit SPARCC.net/SAAM.
Anglers, fire up your engines! Only a few short days until the Captain's Meeting "kicks off" the 8th Annual Chad Day Fishing Tournament & Charity Event. Captain's meeting at Tarpon Bay Grill & Tiki Bar on March 28th @ 3 pm. $8,000 in prize money is up for grabs with a max payout of up to $4,250 for 1 team. This is a one-day tourney beginning after the Captain's Meeting, however teams do not have to stay in their boat all night. Last picture submitted before 2 pm Sunday. Fishing boundaries are between the Venice Gettys and just South of the Skyway Bridge. Come support the Tidewell Foundation and have lots of fun while doing it! Please register or donate at Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament.
Resilient Retreat proudly celebrated the success of its 5th Annual Resilient Rhapsody concert event, held on March 8, 2026, under the majestic oak trees on its scenic campus. The Latin-themed afternoon welcomed a record-breaking 211 guests for an unforgettable day of music, culture, and community—all in support of a vital mission. For more information about Resilient Retreat and its programs, please visit www.resilientretreat.org.
Through his time at the Club, Devdaan has developed into a confident leader and advocate, using his voice to uplift others and create meaningful change. As he goes on to represent our organization at the Florida State Youth of the Year competition, Devdaan carries with him the impact of a community that believes in him. Our goal is to ensure every young person has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to reach their full potential. Devdaan and fellow finalists Simal, Lauren, Sam, Maria, and Riya are powerful examples of what happens when that mission comes to life. You can help create more stories like Devdaan’s. Learn more about our mission and support the next generation of leaders today.
Award-winning Hermitage Fellows offer a unique glimpse into their creative process, sharing original works in process with our Gulf Coast audiences. These free hour-long programs take the shape of musical performances, playreadings, concerts, visual art demonstrations, panel discussions, master classes, exhibitions, open studios,and more. The presentations are often works in process, giving Hermitage audiences a look into the creative process before these works go on to leading theaters, concert halls, and museums around the world.
Hermitage Artist Retreat, 6660 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223
Showcasing 100 rare posters along with sculptures, cocktail shakers, and furniture pieces, this exciting exhibition celebrates the centennial anniversary of Art Deco and the artistic significance it brought to the early 20th-century.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Selina Román blends photography, abstraction, and self-portraiture to explore themes of beauty and the politics of size. Roman’s photographs transform the gallery into a space of quiet resistance, subverting traditional ideas of feminine beauty.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
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
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
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
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
Sundays, 1pm. Join psychic and tarot reader, Deni Dreazen on a metaphysical exploration trolley tour of Sarasota. Visit Pixie Dust gift shop, experience a sound bath at the Crocker Memorial Church with sound healer, Kaylene McCaw, and then walk the labyrinth.
Wednesdays, 10:30am. Explore Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern (the Sarasota School of Architecture) and Mediterranean Revival Architecture buildings, homes and structures of Sarasota on this 90-minute mainland tour.
Mondays, 1pm. Join Jerome Chesley as you explore more than 60 pieces of public art located in downtown and St. Armands.
Saturdays, 1pm. This tour led by circus historian Bob Collins explores the fascinating legacy of the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus.
Make your Saturday mornings even more fun! Check out the Backyard Science program for elementary-aged learners at The Bishop’s incredible indoor Mosaic Backyard Universe. This wildly popular learning program offers a wide range of activities, observations, and crafts that are sure to spark curiosity and ignite learning.
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th Street West Bradenton FL 34205
Thursdays, 10am. Discover with our expert guide, Kendra Cross, why Sarasota is the only place in the world that the Amish and Mennonite communities come to vacation en masse. In Pinecraft, enjoy the tour stops at Alma Sue’s Quilt Shop, The Carlisle Inn and Der Dutchman Amish Kitchen Cooking Restaurant for shopping and a pie shooter sample of their delicious pie!
Stelliferous is your monthly guide to the night skies and the latest news from the world of astronomy. You can enjoy our upgraded Planetarium system and feel like an astronaut as you experience our 50-foot dome!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
Enjoy music, theater, literature, dance, and more as part of the Hermitage Sunsets at Selby Gardens series. Each hour-long program features selections of work as well as candid and engaging conversations with the world-class artists who come to the Hermitage to create art in an inspirational environment.
Selby Gardens
Thursdays and Saturdays, 7:30pm. Step right up to solve the murder of Dahlia the Queen of the High Wire on this interactive murder mystery who-dunnit.
Wednesdays, 10am. Go back in time to the 1920’s in Sarasota to hear from three leading ladies (Bertha Palmer, Marie Selby and Mable Ringling) as portrayed by Kathryn Chesley, who shaped Sarasota into a cultural icon.
Hatch’s newly commissioned “plate painting,” Amalgam (2023), was created specifically for Sarasota Art Museum. Consisting of more than 450 earthenware plates hand-painted in white, blue, and gold luster, the abstract lines and shapes in Amalgam are drawn from a variety of historical ceramics from around the globe.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
This exhibition highlights contemporary Native design, craftwork, and art that employ the formal and aesthetic elements of abstraction as meaningful motifs and coded tools of Indigenous expression to communicate tribal cultures and histories, ancestral knowledge, and the lived experiences of the artists and their communities. Explored in a variety of media, including basket weaving, beadwork, collage, clay, textiles, photography, metalwork, and printmaking rooted in ancestral technologies, their work shares similar stylistic and social concerns, such as vibrant color, hard-edged geometries, curvilinear patterns, and bold mark-making, all infused with personal stories and those of their kin.
Ringling Museum, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
SRQ DAILY is a daily e-newsletter produced by SRQ MEDIA. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. The views expressed by individuals are their own, and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. SRQ DAILY includes content excerpted from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Robinson Valverde at 941-365-7702 x703 or via email |
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