There is something to be said about living in a community that cares. Over the last 24 hours, from 12pm April 15 to 12pm April 16, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County has hosted the 2026 Giving Challenge. The initiative, first launched in 2012, benefits around 750 nonprofits from Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and Desoto Counties, giving community members the chance to help support a vast array of local organizations. Strengthening the Giving Challenge is The Patterson Foundation, which is providing a dollar-for-dollar match on all unique donations from $25 to $100, with no limit to the amount of donations that can be matched.

Pop-up Giving Stations, such as the one outside of Latin Quarters restaurant on Main Street Sarasota, appeared throughout the region, offering potential donors the opportunity to personally connect with members of the various organizations. “This opportunity is huge for us, especially since Blaze of Hope is a small nonprofit,” says Theresa Pannacciulli, executive director of Blaze of Hope. “Our opportunity for fundraising comes by word of mouth. We’re trying to raise $10,000 today, which will go a long way towards helping us with our mission. To be here with five other amazing organizations is a blessing for all of us.”

“The matching of the donations from The Patterson Foundation is what is unique about the impact of the Giving Challenge,” says Paul Stern, board member of Parenting Matters. “All of us have to raise money in a variety of ways and to have a one day event doubled is massive. I have not heard of anything like this in any other city that I have lived in.”

For Isven Chavez, director of student services at Sarasota Teen Court, the donations from the Giving Challenge could help pay for services such as counseling or drug tests. “Teen Court is a diversion program focused on justice for youth, by youth, and we give second chances for the youth in Sarasota County that make poor decisions,” says Chavez. “We want to make sure that they aren’t defined by their poor decisions and that we’re able to provide services to keep them on the right path.”

The Giving Challenge, April 15-16, The Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

Myra Moore of Blaze of Hope at the Pop-up Giving Station at Latin Quarters. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

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At just 19 years old, Bradenton Marauder’s starting pitcher Seth Hernandez is already making his name known across the ranks of minor league baseball. Hernandez, a right-handed pitcher from Corona, California, was selected sixth overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2025 MLB Draft, and began his first full professional season with Single-A Bradenton this spring.

Entering Wednesday night’s game against the Tampa Bay Tarpons, Hernandez, the Pirates’ no. 2-ranked prospect, had made two starts, racking up 15 strikeouts across seven total innings without surrendering a single run. In his start against the Palm Beach Cardinals on April 10, Hernandez showcased his full repertoire, including a 4-seam fastball that reached 100mph and a knee-buckling 12-6 curveball, en route to striking out seven over four no-hit innings.

Because he was drafted out of high school, Hernandez faces a massive adjustment not only in the talent level of the competition, but also in the sheer amount of pitches he will throw in a professional season. “The main thing for me has just been about building innings, building my body, physically and mentally,” says Hernandez. “There are a lot of learning opportunities around health and arm care. High school has maybe a three month season and our season here is six months long. Nutrition and sleep are big parts of it.”

Although Hernandez has just began his first full minor league season, those interested in watching the 6-foot-4 phenom should think about making their way to LECOM Park sooner rather than later. Hernandez’s short outings are likely the product of a pitch limit—or overall innings limit on the season—to best preserve his young arm. If the right-hander continues to carve up opposing hitters at this current rate, it might not be long until he is promoted to High-A Greensboro. Until then, however, Hernandez is happy to play in front of the crowds at LECOM Park. “LECOM’s a big league stadium. It’s going to be a fun year with the guys,” Hernandez says.

Bradenton Marauders, LECOM Park, 1611 9th St West, Bradenton 

Seth Hernandez on the mound for Bradenton. Provided photo.

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On Friday, May 1 at 7 p.m., Via Nova Chorale presents “Jazz Mass for a New Humanity,” a sweeping, 11-movement work by artistic director Steven Phillips that reimagines one of music’s oldest forms as something urgent, expansive and deeply human. Rooted in the structure of the Latin mass, the piece opens outward—bringing it into conversation with sacred writings from multiple traditions and poetry by voices such as Maya Angelou and Wendell Berry. It does not center on any single faith. Instead, it is built around seven essential human qualities: intention, compassion, wonder, love, presence, sacrifice and belonging. Information on concerts and tickets is available at ViaNovaChorale.org. 

Art in Bloom returns to the MFA this week—bringing the galleries to life with stunning floral interpretations inspired by works from the collection. This beloved annual tradition transforms the museum into a vibrant celebration of art and nature, with creative designs from talented florists and members of The Margaret Acheson Stuart Society. Join us for a full lineup of events celebrating Art in Bloom.

Thursday–Sunday, April 16–19, Art in Bloom General Admission, 10am–5pm. 

The 46th season of bringing influencers from the world stage to our stage in Sarasota returns in January 2027. Speakers include Anderson Cooper, Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Andrew Ross Sorkin, Radhika Dirks, and Katie Ledecky. Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a member or subscribing to the series, should visit www.ringlingcollegetownhall.org 

Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources invites volunteers to spend their weekend giving back during the 6th annual Beach Blast Trifecta, a three-day beach cleanup event May 1–3.  The free volunteer series brings the community together at three Sarasota County beaches: Friday, May 1, 5 -7pm at Ted Sperling Park at South Lido Beach, 2201 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota (meet at the playground);  Saturday, May 2, 8 -10am at Siesta Beach, 948 Beach Road, Sarasota (meet at the Sea Turtle Pavilion); Sunday, May 3, 9-11am at Turtle Beach Park, 8918 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota (meet at the playground). Volunteers will work alongside county staff and community members to help care for Sarasota County’s coastline. Participants who attend all three events will be entered into a prize drawing on the final day. Adults and teens are welcome to volunteer. While all ages may participate, teens can earn community service hours before the end of the school year. For more information, visit SarasotaCountyParks.com/PRNRVolunteer. 

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Saint Stephen’s provides world-class education at every level. From pre-kindergarten through grade 12, students are nurtured in small classes, encouraged and supported by outstanding faculty who help them navigate a curriculum balancing academic rigor and character development. Saint Stephen’s instills each student with a love of learning in an environment where independence, self-worth, physical health and spiritual awareness are valued. Rich academic offerings go hand-in-hand with a strong college counseling program, allowing every student an opportunity to pursue higher education. SSES alumni are excelling today in colleges and universities nationwide. The school is located on a scenic, gated, 35-acre campus, featuring a state-of-the-art athletic complex that hosts sporting events including football, soccer, track, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and tennis. Arrange a tour today and learn how Saint Stephen’s creates a special learning environment that challenges, prepares, and encourages students to explore and achieve. 

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Sarasota County Schools is encouraging all parents and guardians to begin the registration process for current students and first-time students, as well as students returning to the school district, for the upcoming school year. Please note the following links & information regarding registration for traditional public schools and charter schools in Sarasota County.
Please visit www.sarasotacountyschools.net/o/scs/page/registration for more information. 

Sarasota County Schools is proud to announce the district’s first student athlete heart screening events, marking an important step in strengthening student health and safety across the district. In partnership with Who We Play For, the first heart screening events will be held at Booker High School from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, April 13, and at North Port High School from 5-9 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. Additional screening events will be held at other high schools in the coming weeks. These events are being held in accordance with Senate Bill 1070 from the 2025 Florida Legislative Session. The bill, known as the Second Chance Act, was passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature and requires first‑time high school student athletes to receive an electrocardiogram (ECG) screening prior to participation in interscholastic athletics, beginning next school year. The law is designed to help identify previously undetected heart conditions that can place young athletes at risk during physical activity. 

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