SRQ DAILY May 27, 2026
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Partnering with SunCoast Blood Centers is about showing up for our community in a meaningful way."
This Friday, make a difference that truly matters at your neighborhood Gecko’s Grill & Pub. Join the community blood drive on May 29 from 11am–6am at any of the four Gecko’s locations below and help give the gift of life to those who need it most. As a thank-you for rolling up your sleeve and supporting the community, every donor will receive a $50 Gecko’s Gift Card.
SunCoast Blood Centers has been providing safe, high-quality blood products to hospitals and patients across Southwest Florida since 1949 and they've been partnering with Gecko's for over ten years, hosting blood drives at several of the restaurant's locations about 3-4 times each year.
“Partnering with SunCoast Blood Centers is about showing up for our community in a meaningful way,” shares Fiona Farrell, Gecko’s COO. “A simple donation can truly change someone’s life.”
Visit the Suncoast bloodmobile at the following Gecko’s locations on Friday:
• Bradenton – 7228 55th Ave E
• Sarasota – 351 N Cattlemen Rd
• Sarasota – 5585 Palmer Crossing Cir
• Sarasota – 6606 S Tamiami Trl
“We are incredibly proud to use our Gecko’s locations as a place where our guests and team members can come together to make a real impact right here at home,” adds Farrell.
Schedule your appointment today at SunCoastBlood.org 
Provided photo.
A safe place to call home amid financial hardship. A supportive path back to work while in mental-health recovery. Respite care that helps families in crisis stay together. Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation has awarded nearly $7.1 million in new grants to strengthen supports that help Sarasota-area residents remain housed, healthy, connected, and prepared for opportunity. For more information, visit www.barancikfoundation.org.
We are proud to introduce Rooted & Rising, a new garden program created through the partnership of Inclusion Revolution, Mission ABLE, The Haven, SunnySide Village, and Hunsader Farms. This exciting collaboration is already bringing new opportunity to life. SunnySide Village has generously donated garden plots where the program is taking root, creating a welcoming space for participants to learn, contribute, and grow. Hunsader Farms is helping us launch by providing flowers and starter plants, giving our team the chance to begin building a vibrant and purposeful program from the ground up. Mission ABLE, led by Amanda Baar, is bringing the gardening knowledge and day-to-day leadership that's helping Rooted & Rising take root and grow with purpose.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) has announced the remaining 2026 schedule of workshops through Invest in Incredible (I3). Serving as Gulf Coast’s resource for regional nonprofits, I3 strengthens board governance and operational effectiveness while helping organizations build skills, knowledge and leadership capacity. Workshops offer practical training for nonprofit professionals, board members, and professional advisors. Sessions offered include Building & Enhancing Presentation Skills, Easy to Understand Financial Reports, Fundamentals in Planned Giving, Leading Practices in Governance & Bylaws, Planned Giving Instruments and Strategies, Digital That Delivers: Tools, Tactics and 7 C’s of Communications, Building Your Endowment, Moving the Needle on Board Fundraising, Your Story is Your Strategy, Skillful Board Chair, Vision to Reality: Navigating, Scope, Budget & Risk Before Construction, The Listening Clinic for Leaders, and Succession Planning for Board and Staff. For more information, visit GulfCoastCF.org/Events
Children First, a nationally recognized nonprofit providing high-quality early childhood education and family strengthening services, is honored to announce more than $150,000 in recent grant support from philanthropic partners dedicated to advancing opportunities for children and families in the community. As the organization marks its 65th anniversary, these investments support a range of essential services, including early learning, nutrition, mental health, and family strengthening services.
Child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition has recently hired Diane Ewen as the organization's new controller. In this role, Ewen will be responsible for supporting SCC’s Chief Financial Officer in overseeing all of the nonprofit organization’s financial operations.
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
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
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits delicious Sunday Brunch is from 11am-3pm. Guests are invited to indulge in a delightful brunch experience on the beautiful covered patio or casual dining room with nautical touches. The brunch menu features a variety of mouth-watering dishes created by Chef Cesareo Cardenas, including his decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast, savory Steak & Eggs, succulent Lobster Benedict, the flavorful Tripletail Brunch Burger and Crab & Shrimp Omelet. Guests will receive a complimentary Bloody Mary or Mimosa with the purchase of any entrée. Prices range from $13 to $26. Reservations can be made through Open Table or by calling 941-529-0555.
Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, 4870 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
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.
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.
Think while you drink! Gather your friends, co-workers or family and join us for a fun-filled evening. Prizes and specials each night. Monday – Wednesday at 7:30pm. Gecko’s on Clark – Monday ; Gecko’s on SR64 & Stickney Point – Tuesday ; Gecko’s on Hillview – Wednesday.
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
Calder’s work is a great source of interest to the team at Selby Gardens. His fascination with energy and motion, coupled with his exploration of suspension and equilibrium, provides creative inspiration for the dynamic display of epiphytes, or air plants. Selby Gardens is a leading center for the study of air plants and is home to the best scientifically documented collections of living epiphytic orchids and bromeliads in the world. The Calder exhibition at Selby Gardens will highlight the artist’s use of abstract forms rooted in nature and emphasize his interest in science and engineering. The exhibition will also explore Calder’s enchantment with the circus, stemming from his studies of performers and animals at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1925.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota, FL 34236
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
Join us for a weekly guided tour of the night sky in our state-of-the-art planetarium. As Earth moves around the sun, different objects come into view. We'll not only discuss what you can see this season, we'll fly you there!
Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St W, Bradenton
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 |
Powered by Sarasota Web Design | Unsubscribe
