Yesterday morning, the ladies of Shore Brand visited three area schools to donate approximately 4,000 high-quality masks to students and staff. Sarasota’s Booker Elementary and Brookeside Middle, and Bradenton’s Ballard Elementary were among the schools that received these unexpected donations. “When the pandemic hit our country, and specifically our community, we at Shore wanted to make a difference,” says owner Susan Leonard. “We wanted to give back to those who give so much. Who better than our teachers? We all have a story about that special teacher that redirected our lives for the better and gave us hope and encouragement, all while challenging us at the same time.” 

The masks were developed in a small family-owned factory in LA, which is where the local brand produces its clothing and swimwear lines. Shore designers made sure to construct the masks to CDC standard guidelines in terms of fit and fabric, including two layers of a Polyamide Spandex blend, much like the high-end swimsuits Shore is well-known for supplying at its two retail boutiques and online shop. “We developed our adjustable masks from upcycled fabrics and lined them with a soft Supima cotton backing for safety and comfort,” says Leonard. The fabric fibers are tightly woven together to help assist in blocking more bacteria from exiting or entering the nose while moisture-wicking properties keep them breathable to the face. The ear straps, similar to tie-bikini strings, are entirely adjustable for a custom fit for the wearer, whether adult or child. 

“We chose to upcycle fabrics from past productions to make our masks more sustainable and reduce waste,” says Victoria Madrid, wholesale account manager for Shore. “We wanted to donate them to the schools because the teachers are such impactful figures in all of our lives. We wanted to give back to them as they spend years giving back to their students and the communities. It is also so very important to us that all students and teachers are kept safe and healthy during the Covid-19 pandemic and this was our way to help!” 

Since the start of the pandemic, Shore has also donated masks to a few area doctors offices in need, all of its retail wholesale partners for their teams and families, as well as neighboring local restaurants and grocery stores.

These masks do not replace other recommended measures to stop the community spread of COVID-19. Please continue to follow CDC guidelines, practice social distancing, wash your hands, and refrain from touching your face. 

Photo courtesy of Shore. Shop their masks here.

Wells Fargo Foundation has awarded Habitat for Humanity Sarasota with a $15,000 grant to renovate an affordable home for a family in Sarasota. The funding is part of an $8.1 million donation to Habitat for Humanity International for capacity building and direct mission support to build, renovate and repair more than 350 affordable homes across the United States.  The grant is provided through Wells Fargo Builds℠ and is part of the Wells Fargo Foundation’s $1 billion philanthropic commitment to create more housing affordability solutions by 2025. “We’ve had a rich history of working with Habitat for Humanity Sarasota to strengthen our neighborhoods through philanthropy and volunteerism,” said Jeff Ospina, Wells Fargo’s Gulf Coast Region Bank President. “Safe and stable housing enables people to build upon the rest of their life and, together, we can shift the narrative to help others understand that housing affordability is both an economic and humanitarian crisis that’s taking a toll on millions of people.” 

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The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, and ESPN Hall of Fame Sportscaster Dick Vitale announce the 15th Annual Dick Vitale Gala, “Passion 4 Pediatrics,” in conjunction with Vitale’s year-round fundraising, raised more than $7.4 million for pediatric cancer research, bringing the total raised over the past 15 years to $37 million.  The annual Gala, originally scheduled for May and one of the largest in Sarasota – Bradenton, was postponed and then transitioned to a virtual event in July due to the COVID-19. “I am in awe of the generosity and kindness shown in making this Gala so special,” said Vitale. “To think that we achieved record-breaking numbers with a virtual gala while facing the challenging pandemic is simply a tribute to all the beautiful people that joined in to help kids battling cancer. All I can say is, ‘Thank you, thank you, thank you,’ to everyone that was part of this incredible effort.” 

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Beginning on Thursday, September 17th, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, through The Food Bank of Manatee, will provide fresh produce each month, from September through May, to families in need in Manatee County. “This initiative is aimed at getting fresh, nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables into Manatee County homes,” said Maribeth Phillips, President & CEO of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. “Our selected Community Partners are near six Title 1 schools, enabling us to serve as many families as possible with this tremendous resource,” Phillips said. Locations near Blackburn Elementary, Daughtrey Elementary, Oneco Elementary, Rogers Garden Elementary, Samoset Elementary, and Tillman Elementary have been identified, though families living anywhere in Manatee County can participate. The produce will be provided free of charge on the third Thursday of the month from September through May at the following locations:

• Visible Men Academy: 921 63rd Ave. East, Bradenton 34203 from 8:00am – 10:00 am
• Sozo Missions: 3124 17th Street East, Bradenton 34208 from 8:00 am – 10:00 am
• Increasing Joy Ministries: 2515 37th Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm

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To ensure an adequate supply of blood products for the community, SunCoast Blood Centers is pleased to announce the opening of its new donor center in Port Charlotte. Located at 2150 Tamiami Trail, Unit 17, the donor center will operate Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm and on Saturday, 7am to 1pm  Appointments are required for plasma and platelet donations, while walk-ins are welcome for blood donations.  “Port Charlotte is one of the fastest-growing communities on the Suncoast,” said SunCoast Blood Centers CEO Scott Bush. “The new donor center will help meet the needs of the community and make blood and platelet donations as stress free as possible for those giving a gift of life.”   

1-866-97-BLOOD

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The Historic Asolo Theater, located on the campus of The Ringling Museum in Sarasota, will be the setting for Evolving/Revolving, the first of four programs presented by Sarasota Contemporary Dance in its 15th season, Quinceanera. The four performances of Evolving/Revolving, October 1-4, can be purchased either through in-person (limited) seating or virtual viewing. Evolving/Revolving celebrates the past of Sarasota Contemporary Dance with artists who have had an impact on the company. Artistic Director Leymis Bolanos Wilmott states, “I am proud and excited by the depth of our programming this season, beginning with a welcome back to three Southeast choreographers to expand their works previously set on the company into evening-length pieces." The performances will be held at the Historic Asolo Theater, Thursday, October 1 – Sunday, October 4. Performance times are 7:30pm Thursday-Saturday and on Sunday at 2pm. In-performance and virtual tickets can be purchased online. 

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Sarah Brightman, the world’s best-selling soprano, makes her Sarasota debut with Hymn: Sarah Brightman in Concert on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at 8pm. Brightman is known for her three-octave range and for pioneering the classical-crossover music movement, amassing global sales of over 30 million units. Single tickets for the multiplatinum Grammy-nominated artist’s performance are $65-$175 and go on sale Friday, September 18, 2020 at 10am. 

941-263-6799

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The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature is continuing its year-long celebration of Our Blue Planet with the September 23 opening of its newest special exhibition: the Wyland-inspired Water’s Extreme Journey. This special exhibition in the Museum’s East Gallery transforms visitors into raindrops and sends them through a maze depicted as our watershed — a journey that takes them through mountains, streams, wetlands and even their own backyards — all while trying to steer clear of pollution and ultimately reach a healthy ocean.Matthew D. Woodside, The Bishop’s Chief Curator and Director of Exhibitions says, "The Bishop is a natural science and history museum on Florida’s Gulf coast, so clean water and healthy watersheds are fundamental topics for us.” 

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Visit Florida has initiated Phase Two of its tourism marketing recovery plan with the launch of an in-state travel campaign designed to support the state’s economic recovery and struggling tourism industry. Set to run through Nov. 22, this integrated campaign aims to inspire Florida pride among residents while introducing them to unique experiences available in-state. In addition, the tourism bureau partnered with four strategic Florida-based influencers to engage their social media followers and highlight hidden gem experiences and local businesses across the state. Visit Florida will also utilize its in-state advocacy platform, @LoveFL, to showcase the vacation experiences close to home through paid social efforts across Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc.Along with the campaign, the newly-launched LoveFL.com encourages Floridians to explore day trip options to cities across the state. 

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The talent management company MBJ Group recently unveiled its new user-friendly website. Updated with a more modern look, the optimized website is accessible from any device and features smoother search functionalities and a streamlined user experience. The site gives visitors a glimpse at the premier provider’s staff development and strategic services, lists current and past job placements, showcases the team’s talents and provides a preview of the company’s work. 

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 For the 30th consecutive year, the City of Sarasota has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the highest form of professional recognition a municipality can receive for its budget document. “This award reflects the tremendous time and professional effort that goes into producing such an excellent financial plan, as well as the City’s ongoing commitment to transparency and fiscal responsibility,” said Assistant City Manager John Lege. “We appreciate the hard work of our Financial Administration Department, as well as the contributions of all other City departments and the important roles they play in our budget process.” 

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On behalf of a local collaborative of nonprofit providers and community groups, Tidewell Hospice has received a grant from Manatee County to facilitate a countywide initiative that will bring together community partners to protect the health and well-being of at-risk residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, known as the Multicultural Action Team (MAT). Tidewell will serve as administrator of the $342,000 grant, distributed through the Manatee County CARES Community and Wellness fund. The MAT is a collective impact project – a project in which multiple partners share common goals, execute common strategies and achieve collective results for a community goal. “Tidewell Hospice is pleased to be a key partner with MHI and others to address the disparities of COVID 19 among minority populations,” Tidewell President and CEO Jonathan Fleece said. “Through our newly formed Tidewell Foundation, we plan to actively engage even more in the future in health issues impacting our community. Now more than ever is a time to reinforce our commitment to equality, service and love for humanity, with a special focus on helping at-risk people during this pandemic.”