Despite being rained out for a day and a half, the 26th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival held this past February at the Sarasota Fairgrounds generated a net revenue of $204,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children. Suncoast Charities for Children Executive Director, Lucy Nicandri, stated: “We are extremely grateful for the generous support received from Festival sponsors, individual donors, vendors, dedicated volunteers, and everyone who attended the festival.  Their combined support enabled us to continue with funding allocations to help local children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families.” Funding allocations from Suncoast Charities for Children to local non-profit agencies included: Children First – Support for their “Full Tummies – Flourishing Minds” program focused on preventing childhood hunger, a crisis fund established for families in need, and construction of a new playground for preschool children at their Venice campus; Loveland Center –A new outdoor therapeutic activity area for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a new after-school recreational program in Bradenton; Special Olympics – New sports equipment and funding for the first-ever Sarasota Summer Camp Shriver for special athletes; The Florida Center for Early Childhood and The Haven both received new therapy supplies, therapy equipment, and therapy scholarships for children so that they can continue to receive the therapy services they need. A grant was also made to the Suncoast Foundation to install new classroom flooring at Children First, new air conditioning units at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, and new flooring, office upgrades, and air conditioning upgrades at The Haven’s Venice Campus location.  These improvements at The Haven will ensure that over 65 clients with physical and/or cognitive challenges can now focus on life and vocational skills. Special recognition awards were also presented.  The 27th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is scheduled for February 14-16, 2025 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Two national acts that were rained out this year, Grand Funk Railroad and Creed Fisher, have reconfirmed for the 2025 Festival.   For updates and additional information visit: www.thunderbythebay.org