SRQ DAILY Jun 17, 2026
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"It's a big help, and it gives you confidence that you can get through the storm if you need to."
Hurricane season is underway, and Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and Senior Friendship Centers are working together to make sure that our community’s most vulnerable citizens are prepared in the event of a weather emergency. Last week, the two organizations joined forces to distribute hurricane preparedness meal kits to seniors across Venice. Kits including three days of shelf-stable food, water and snacks that were distributed to seniors who may not be able to leave their homes or receive home-delivered meals immediately after a storm. The kits also included a hurricane preparedness guide with tips and resources. The June 10 event took place at the Venice Senior Friendship Centers.
FPL is committed to powering strong communities, making them a better place to live, work and raise a family. Since 2016, the company has worked with local community nonprofits to deliver thousands of hurricane kits to help seniors prepare for storm season.
FPL Senior Community Relations Specialist Jennifer Huber said feedback from recipients shows the kits are helping families take meaningful steps toward storm readiness and emergency preparedness. “We have heard from those who have received these kits that they have been beneficial, so we know what we are doing is making a difference,” she said. “We know this is going to help them be prepared. It's also going to make them think about their own homes and what they need to do to be prepared.”
Meal kit recipient Frank Giordano shared his appreciation at the event. “It's a big help, and it gives you confidence that you can get through the storm if you need to.”
For tips on how you can prepare, visit FPL.com/Storm. 
Pictured: On June 10, 2026, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) volunteer Candie Roll (left) shares hurricane preparedness meal kit information with Frank Giordano (right) to help him prepare for the 2026 hurricane season in Sarasota County. Provided p
The spotlight is on the Limelight Pop Up Market this Saturday at The Bazaar on Apricot & Lime.Over 50 local vendors including a dozen guest vendors in the courtyard. Tenderheart Charities will be here with pups looking for fur-ever homes, live music with George Parmalee and great food from Hamlet’s Eatery. Build your own bouquet, try some Puerto Rican coffee, and spend the day from 10 am - 3pm at 821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota www.bazaaronapricotandlime.com
Pictured: Xima, 1 year old. Provided photo.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is pleased to announce the renewal of President | CEO Phillip Lanham’s contract through 2031 and the election of its 2026-2027 Board of Directors, including the re-election of Anand Pallegar as Chair and Rose-Anne Frano as Vice Chair, and the addition of three new board members: Jaime DiDomenico, Will Dolan, and Emily Walsh. Lanham's contract renewal extends his service through 2031, effective July 1, 2026. Building on more than $650 million in community impact, generated together with our donors, Gulf Coast enters this next chapter focused on the priorities at the heart of its 2024-2027 strategic plan. “The work of a community foundation is grounded in partnership, with donors, with community members, with the people navigating real challenges every day,” said Lanham. “At its core, that means meeting urgent needs, especially in times of crisis, and I'm grateful to continue doing that in a community my family and I care deeply about.” Additional members of Gulf Coast’s Board of Directors for the 2026-2027 fiscal year include Ping Faulhaber; John Giglio; David Green; Rod Hershberger; Keith Johnson; Deb Kabinoff; Frank Martucci; Elizabeth Moore; Gail Morganroth; David Sessions; and Peter Soderberg.
The Child Protection Center, Inc. (CPC) is proud to announce funding support from community partners, including Heron Creek Community Foundation, Venice Golf & Country Club, Sun Community, and Libertore Fund for Children, to strengthen and expand the organization’s Personal Safety and Community Awareness Program (PSCA), Florida’s longest tenured child abuse prevention education program. This collaborative investment will help CPC continue providing free prevention education workshops to children, caregivers, educators, and community members throughout Sarasota and DeSoto Counties. PSCA equips children and adults with the knowledge and skills needed to recognize unsafe situations both in person and online, prevent abuse, and seek help when needed. Workshops address over 20 critical topics such as personal safety, sexual abuse prevention, internet safety, bullying, and healthy boundaries.
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is pleased to announce the appointment of four distinguished community and business leaders to its Board of Directors. These accomplished leaders bring expertise spanning business strategy, construction and development, law, technology, and community engagement. Their collective experience will help strengthen the Foundation's mission to support students and teachers throughout Sarasota County.
Pictured: Left to right: Brian Harris, Jordan Hoover, Christa L. Sullivan, Tolga Tohumcu. Provided photo.
At a packed, invitation-only event on June 11, The Exchange (formerly the Woman’s Exchange) announced it had awarded $500,000 to 25 regionally based arts and cultural organizations and 27 high school and college students. Additionally, 10 organizations received funding through the recent Elizabeth Lindsay Arts in Education grant.
Pictured: Christine Pitts (left) celebrates with scholarship recipient Jordan Pitts at The Exchange’s 2026 Grants and Scholarship Awards event. Provided photo.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) was recently ranked among the top-performing funders for community impact in an independent benchmarking survey spanning nearly 400 funders, outranking every other community foundation on that measure. Administered by the Center for Effective Philanthropy — an organization that benchmarks feedback from more than 65,000 grantees and more than 400 funders nationwide — the survey provides data-driven insight into grantee experiences and the foundation’s regional impact. Top findings from the survey include: Gulf Coast ranked in the 98th percentile for impact on the local community, placing it in the top 2% of all funders in the CEP’s benchmarking dataset; Among community foundations in CEP’s comparative benchmarking, Gulf Coast ranked highest on community impact; 88% of grantees strongly agree Gulf Coast provides critical funding in the region; and over 90% of grantees rate Gulf Coast’s Invest in Incredible (I3) programs as helpful in strengthening their organization’s capacity.
A new United Way Suncoast report reveals that in our region a family of four with two young children in childcare must annually earn more than $106,000 just to afford the basic necessities. However, Florida’s median household income is $77,735. The regional nonprofit released its 2026 ALICE Report today, highlighting the challenges faced by individuals and families living paycheck to paycheck and just one unexpected expense away from dire circumstances.
For many young people, music is one of the most powerful ways to connect with their cultural roots while discovering their own creative potential. At CreArte Latino Cultural Center, that connection comes to life through "Youthful Harmony: A Fusion of Cultures Through Music," a bilingual program that celebrates cultural heritage while helping children and teens develop musical skills, confidence and a sense of belonging.
Pictured: Youthful Harmony A Fusion of Cultures Through Music Provided photo.
Young adults who age out of the state care system - frequently without the family, financial support, and safety net that children from stable families do - face a challenging road into adulthood. In an effort to provide tools and guidance to help them succeed, Safe Children Coalition welcomed approximately 50 young adults ages 18-23 for the Independent Living 'Level Up' Youth Summit this past Friday. Highlights included an inspirational keynote by Dr. Charles Lee-Johnson, an upbeat and empowering musical keynote concert by South Florida musician and international speaker Alexander Star, and speakers discussing topics including education, leadership, health, and life skills.
Pictured: International speaker and South Florida musical artist Alexander Star (center) presented an upbeat and empowering musical keynote concert Provided photos/Safe Children Coalition
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County is bolstering the region’s nonprofit sector through a new round of grants, awarding $507,255 to 46 different organizations that are addressing residents’ varied needs across the region. Awards made through the foundation’s Community Impact grant program will help provide household items and food to families at risk of homelessness, extend grief support services to children, increase educational opportunities for children and adults in rural areas, boost in-home care programs for seniors and more. Capacity Building grants, meanwhile, are designed to help nonprofits improve their operations so that they can fulfill their missions and become more sustainable over the long run. Those grants will benefit organizations working in fields like early learning, housing, education, mental health and more.
The Gettel Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Gettel Automotive, has announced a landmark $1,000,000 investment in The Haven’s Community Center Project, bringing the organization significantly closer to realizing a transformative vision for individuals with physical and mental disabilities across Southwest Florida.The Haven’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with unique abilities by encouraging independence, championing inclusion, and advocating for individual rights.
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
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
Featuring works by such acclaimed modern and contemporary artists as Louise Bourgeois, Chuck Close, Yoko Ono, David Hockney, Ai Weiwei, and more, this never-before-seen exhibition offers a rare glimpse into private collections held throughout Southwest Florida.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Maria A. Guzman Capron explores the complexities of identity through vibrant figurative textiles. Drawing inspiration from her own multicultural heritage, the artist creates layered portraits of exuberant, multi-faceted characters.
Sarasota Art Museum, 1001 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join Jerome Chesley on Mondays at 1 p.m. for an engaging tour showcasing Sarasota’s vibrant public art scene. Over the course of the tour, guests will explore more than 60 pieces of public art located throughout downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle. From striking sculptures and colorful murals to unique installations, each work tells a story about the community, its culture, and its history. Along the way, participants will learn about the artists behind the pieces, the inspiration for their creations, and the role public art plays in shaping Sarasota’s identity. This tour offers a fun and informative way to experience the city through its impressive collection of outdoor artwork.
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!
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
Intensive B will focus on a variety of Jazz classes. Participants will experience influences from Fosse, Broadway, Afro-Fusion, to Commercial Jazz!
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd of the Arts Ste 300, Sarasota
Join local wellness advocate Kayla Fite, founder of Habits You Love, for Sweat + Connect, a fitness class created to inspire movement, confidence, and meaningful connections. This energizing outdoor workout encourages women of all fitness levels to challenge themselves in a supportive and uplifting environment. More than just exercise, the event offers an opportunity to meet new people, build friendships, and invest in personal well-being. Start your morning with positive energy, healthy habits, and a community of women committed to feeling their best together.
James Patton Park, 5725 White Eagle Blvd, Bradenton
Skip the intimidation and discover wine the way it’s meant to be enjoyed—relaxed, social, and a little indulgent. Sommer School s is designed for those who want to learn the basics without the pressure, guided by our very own Jason Waganheim, in a lively, welcoming setting. You’ll taste a curated selection of wines, explore what makes each one unique, and pick up simple techniques to help you order, pair, and enjoy wine with confidence. No prior knowledge required—just bring your curiosity. This three part series begins July 8,2026 and meets the two consecutive Wednesdays.
State Street Eating House, 1533 State St, Sarasota
Enjoy an evening packed with family-friendly fun, including games and activities on the Great Lawn, the mesmerizing Spheres Bubble Show by Blaise Rhynds, and a spectacular fireworks finale lighting up Sarasota Bay. Come hungry and ready to celebrate! Feast on smoky barbecue favorites, cool off with refreshing frozen treats, and indulge in festive summer sweets available for purchase throughout the evening from a variety of local vendors. This event is rain or shine. General Admission and all-inclusive tickets available. General admission guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and bug spray for maximum comfort. All-Inclusive tickets (no member price) include on-site parking, a delicious buffet dinner by Michael’s On East, an open bar inside our air-conditioned Event Center, and prime viewing of the fireworks! Visit selby.org for tickets.
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota
Unwind at the end of the day with Sunset Pilates, a free outdoor fitness experience hosted by PULSEHAUS. Set against the backdrop of a beautiful evening in the park, this mat Pilates class focuses on building strength, flexibility, balance, and overall wellness. Designed for all fitness levels and abilities, the session offers a welcoming environment where participants can move at their own pace while enjoying the benefits of exercising outdoors. Bring a mat, invite a friend, and enjoy an hour dedicated to movement, mindfulness, and community connection.
Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd, Bradenton
Curious about the Mediterranean Way of Eating? Join us for Cooking Up Health: The Mediterranean Way, an engaging, educational series that will transform your approach to food! Discover seven simple steps to healthier meals, learn easy recipes, and pick up practical tips that fit right into your everyday life. Registration includes a recipe book. 6-Week Program, Mondays: 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24, and 8/31 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This class will be virtual and will have a cost of $10 per person. Zoom link for the class will be emailed to participants before the start of class.
Virtual, Virtual
Senior Friendship Centers will host a Shelf-Stable Meal Distribution and Hurricane Expo on Friday, June 26, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at its Sarasota Campus, 1888 Brother Geenen Way. The event will feature local organizations and emergency preparedness experts offering guidance on storm safety, health, recovery planning, and community resources. Attendees can also receive shelf-stable meals and preparedness supplies while they last. The free event is designed to help older adults and caregivers prepare for hurricane season with confidence.
Sarasota Campus, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota
Known for his exceptional songwriting, world-class guitar playing, and warm, soaring tenor, Gill has built an extraordinary career defined by musical excellence and heartfelt storytelling. He achieved his breakthrough success in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” earning both the Country Music Association’s Single and Song of the Year Awards, along with a GRAMMY® Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. Tickets start at $85 and can be purchased at VanWezel.org, by calling 941-263-6799 or by visiting the Veteran Air Box Office at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.">
Known for his exceptional songwriting, world-class guitar playing, and warm, soaring tenor, Gill has built an extraordinary career defined by musical excellence and heartfelt storytelling. He achieved his breakthrough success in 1990 with “When I Call Your Name,” earning both the Country Music Association’s Single and Song of the Year Awards, along with a GRAMMY® Award for Best Country Vocal Performance, Male. Tickets start at $85 and can be purchased at VanWezel.org, by calling 941-263-6799 or by visiting the Veteran Air Box Office at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall , 777 N Tamiami Trl. Sarasota
Participants will experience a variety of styles including, African, Jazz, Contemporary Floorwork, and Improvisation!
Sarasota Contemporary Dance, 1400 Blvd of the Arts Ste 300, Sarasota
A gala performance by Summer Intensive dancers from around the world.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us at Palma Sola Botanical Park on July 23, 2026 at 11:00 AM (Eastern Daylight Time) for a fun and eye-opening event all about poisonous plants! Discover which plants to watch out for, learn what toxicity really means in the great scheme of things, and learn some cool facts in a relaxed, friendly setting. Perfect for nature lovers and curious minds alike. Don’t miss out on this chance to get to know more about nature’s sneaky dangers! To register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1987687749566?aff=oddtdtcreator
Palma Sola Botanical Park, 9800 17th Ave NW, Bradenton
Young athletes can stay active and engaged this summer at Amazing Athletes Summer Camp. Designed to combine fun, fitness, and skill development, the camp introduces children to a variety of sports through exciting games, drills, and team activities. Participants will have the opportunity to build confidence, improve coordination, and learn valuable lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship in a positive and encouraging setting. Led by experienced instructors, this high-energy camp provides a memorable experience that keeps kids moving, learning, and making new friends all week long.
Bob Gardner Park, 2710 White Eagle Blvd, Bradenton
Experience the radiant spirit of Brazilian music in a captivating presentation celebrating the timeless artistry of Antônio Carlos Jobim. Centered around the joyful essence of “Alegria,” this performance weaves together lush harmonies, infectious rhythms, and expressive improvisation. From the gentle sway of bossa nova to the vibrant pulse of samba, audiences are invited on a musical journey filled with warmth, sophistication, and pure alegria—joy. Selections will include the familiar and the hiddens jems from the compositions of Antonio Carlos Jobim (aka Tom Jobim in Brazil).
John C. Court Cabaret , 1265 1st Street, Sarasota
Bubble artist Blaise Ryndes will blow guests away with his immersive Spheres Bubble Show under the banyans. Join us every Saturday for the next few weeks from 10 a.m. to noon for a comedic and mysterious fusion of art, science, and magic that the whole family will enjoy! Free for members, included with general admission for non-members. Visit selby.org
Downtown Sarasota Campus, 1534 Mound St, Sarasota
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