Each year, SRQ Media invites the community to nominate individuals with hearts of giving who have made a significant impact with local nonprofit organizations — from volunteers and board members to individual staff members and donors. Tuesday, December 5, attendees happily joined together to recognize our annual Good Hero Philanthropic Award recipients at the SB2: Philanthropic Agenda and Good Hero Awards Luncheon at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. We are delighted to feature each of the twelve honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.

Today we are recognizing Chuck Johnston, Owner of 2J Farms. Chuck has been an active volunteer for Resilient Retreat the last four years helping with fundraising events, property clean up and property maintenance, all in support of their mission to provide free, confidential, evidence-based programs and support to trauma survivors including first responders. Chuck knows something about the world of a first responder and the compassion fatigue they feel from all that they witness--he made a career out of responding to disasters. He joined the Sarasota Fire Department in 1972, serving more than a decade as a station captain and then chief of rural operations. In 1999, he joined the Florida Division of Forestry, leading efforts fighting wildfires. He’s managed emergency disaster response to floods and hurricanes and even served as interim chief of emergency management.

As Hurricane Ian bore down on southwest Florida in September 2022, Chuck wasn’t frightened, but he was concerned about potential catastrophic destruction to his community. “We have a higher sense of reality,” he says of disaster responders. “And the reality is, the storm is going to kick your butt. I know the potential of what we need to be prepared for it. It was scary as the storm was going through, but the next morning, you went out to help people,” he says. “And when that was done, only then did you go home to clean up your own yard.”  

Pictured: Bart Lowther (left) of Mariash Lowther Wealth Management with Chuck Johnston of 2J Farms. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.

Embracing Our Differences recently named Christina Fraser as its director of operations. With an extensive background spanning the nonprofit, arts, and administrative sectors within the region, Fraser brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her new role. As EOD’s director of operations, she will assume the responsibility of managing project and operational systems, including programming and exhibitions, while also contributing to strategic planning efforts. 

The Florida Center for Early Childhood Education is pleased to announce the receipt of a $30,000 grant from the Bank of America Client Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee. This grant will support an initiative aimed at providing vital language, occupational, and infant and early childhood mental health therapies to uninsured and under-insured families in southwest Florida. 

The Steinwachs Family Foundation recently awarded a grant to the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab (Fab Lab) to advance its mission of providing experiential learning opportunities for students in the fields of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). The grant will allow the Fab Lab to enhance its unique programs, fostering technical skills as well as creativity, critical thinking, and innovation among local youth. With access to cutting-edge equipment and a collaborative environment tailored for exploration and growth, the lab prepares the next generation of leaders and innovators for future careers and life. The funding will also help fuel the Fab Lab's efforts to expand its reach, ensuring that even more students benefit from real-world learning opportunities not found elsewhere in the area. To learn more or get involved with the Suncoast Science Center/Faulhaber Fab Lab, visit https://suncoastscience.org. 

Pictured: Jeffrey Steinwachs checks out Fab Lab volunteers RC Car project. Photo courtesy of Fab Lab.

In collaboration with the Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences, DreamLarge announces the return of DreamLarge Weekends, a program dedicated to empowering the next generation to create innovative solutions to the real challenges Sarasota’s nonprofit community is facing. Presented by Gulf Coast Community Foundation, DreamLarge Weekends will teach students about creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and provide them with a view into the world of philanthropy. Open to all Sarasota and Manatee County students grades 6-9, this free event takes place Thursday, March 14 through Saturday, March 16 at the Sarasota School of Arts & Sciences. Over the course of the weekend, students will have spent time creatively exploring a real-world issue, honed into a single solution, and prototyped their plan to create social impact. At the end of the weekend, students will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges composed of local community leaders, including executives, business professionals, and philanthropic influencers.  “There are over 2,000 nonprofits in Sarasota, many of which are struggling for resources, time, or a fresh set of eyes - that’s where the DreamLarge Weekends come in,” says Julia Groom, Director of DreamLarge. “We’re asking nonprofits to share with us the biggest challenges they’re facing, and we’re connecting them with the imagination and creativity of exceptional local students and their mentor counterparts.” Currently, DreamLarge is seeking mentors and volunteers to help student teams brainstorm and refine their ideas. A mentor can be any professional in their field, from college-level to CEO’s, willing to lend their expertise and guide students toward a problem-solving mindset. Local business leaders, creators, marketers, developers, designers, entrepreneurs, teachers, and everyone in-between are encouraged to take this opportunity to become a catalyst for student innovation. Students and mentors are welcome to sign up for the free event. Space is extremely limited. To learn more, visit DreamLargeWeekends.org or sign up directly at dreamlargeweekends.eventbrite.com Don't miss this opportunity to empower students with critical thinking tools, foster collaboration, and make a lasting positive impact on our local community.  

To learn more, visit

The Early Learning Coalition’s FREE, family-friendly, literacy-meets-the-arts extravaganza is back in 2024! The Sarasota nonprofit is thrilled to announce a first-time partnership with State College of Florida, Venice Campus as well as the first-time weaving science into its signature event. Designed for children ages birth to seven, the 4th annual Storybook Street is set to dazzle once again as it delivers a unique blend of imagination, creativity and, this year, scientific discovery, all in one unforgettable experience. Collaborating with nearly two dozen organizations to bring books to life with preschool pomp and circumstance, the event will feature art, dance, drama, music, movement, and more! Picture your child’s excitement as a book-themed spectacle unfolds right in front of their eyes. Books are distributed at each vendor booth, tangible keepsakes of the magic they just witnessed. No registration necessary. Just show up! Each family will have an opportunity to walk away with 20 books, a swag bag of goodies as well as meaningful, memorable moments to help foster an early love of reading. Children are welcome to dress up as their favorite storybook character. The whimsical event will feature the many creative talents of: Sarasota Orchestra, Venice Theatre, Gulf Coast Music Therapy, The Circus Arts Conservatory, Nailed It DIY Sarasota, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Little Medical School Suncoast, The Ringling Museum, ROAR Program, SCF’s Sigma Kappa Delta English Honors Society, Big Cat Habitat, Irish Dance Academy of Sarasota, Wholehearted Education, Sidewalk Science Center, The Venice Symphony, SCF’s STEM Club, Sarasota Children’s Museum, All Faiths Food Bank, Education Team, The Sarasota Players, Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation. An artistic literary adventure awaits your arrival! The ELC extends heartfelt gratitude to SCF Venice for use of its beautiful campus. And a special thank you to the Lakewood Ranch-based Knights of Columbus Council 13341 for their commitment to promoting early literacy and supporting the purchase of books for the event. 

All Faiths Food Bank (AFFB) has announced the return of a signature annual event to raise awareness and funds to end child hunger. On Sunday, March 24, AFFB will present its Walk to End Summer Hunger – the kickoff for the 11th annual Campaign Against Summer Hunger. Nearly 50% of Sarasota County and 100% of DeSoto County students rely on free and reduced-cost meals at school. The Campaign supports efforts to feed area children during the summer months when they no longer receive those meals. AFFB estimates that more than 40,000 local kids will need food this summer. On top of an already high cost of living and growing inflation, Florida has opted out of the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer for Children (Summer EBT) program, which would have provided $250 million in funding to help families in need buy food this summer.  Through the food bank’s partners and summer programs, AFFB works to make sure children receive the nutritional assistance they need. Support from investors – who contribute matching funds to inspire greater widespread giving – and the community are critical to these efforts. From April 1-May 15, the Campaign – the community’s strongest line of defense against child hunger – gratefully accepts community contributions designated toward ending hunger for local children. AFFB is thankful for lead investors Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation for helping to fund the significant challenge match, as well as the more than 300 community partners – including schools, libraries, early learning centers, summer camps, community centers and numerous other organizations throughout Sarasota and DeSoto counties – that help the organization reach all who might be in need. The 2024 Campaign Against Summer Hunger Chair, Lisa Krouse, is determined to rally the community in the effort to ensure healthy foods are available for our community’s children. In 2023, the Campaign raised over $2 million. With this support, nearly 38,000 local children received nutritious meals, through 331 programs and partners. Since its inception in 2014, donors have given more than $16 million to the Campaign. The walk takes place Sunday, March 24, at Nathan Benderson Park; organizers expect approximately 500 members of the community to participate. The site opens at 7:30 a.m. and the walk starts at 8:30 a.m. Participants can choose between a one-mile “fun walk” or a 5K walk. The cost, which is $25/adults and $15/children, includes a T-shirt and light breakfast. Register by March 13 at affb.org/walk. For more information, contact Becky Wright: bwright@allfaithsfoodbank.org or 941-549-8131. For more about All Faiths Food Bank, visit allfaithsfoodbank.org or call 941-379-6333. 

Child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition (SCC) recently held a “Cocktails and Conversation” event, in support of its ongoing Youth Shelter capital campaign. The event, attended by approximately 70 people, brought together current and prospective donors to learn more about SCC and the critical need for the new Youth Shelter for at-risk youths in our community, and to announce a $500,000 challenge match. The hosts for the event were Veronica Brady and Keith Monda, and Pete and Joan Powers. Each couple offered their “whys” for supporting the new Youth Shelter; all are dedicated advocates for youth. SCC’s board chair, Brian Goodrich, introduced longtime child welfare advocate and SCC president and CEO Brena Slater, who discussed the work of the organization and the critical importance of a new and improved Youth Shelter in protecting and providing resources in support of a better future for homeless youths ages 10-17. The highlight of the program was an announcement of a $500,000 challenge match from Bob and Joan Geyer, in partnership with Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The Youth Shelter is the only facility designated for homeless teens for Sarasota and Desoto counties and serves youth from Manatee County too. Many of the teens served enter the shelter because of a mental health crisis (four out of five youths in the shelter arrive there after being released from a Baker Act stay at a local hospital facility) and/or a parent’s inability to cope with a youth who is out of control. For the past four years, the SCC Youth Shelter has been first or second in facility utilization out of the 16 shelters in the Florida Network and exceeded contracted bed days. Currently, the shelter is at a smaller, temporary location until the new facility can be built, which has limited the number of teens that can be helped. There are more than 2,000 teens who are homeless in the 12th Judicial Circuit (Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties); the new Youth Shelter is expected to alleviate a waiting list of teens in need of shelter services. The Youth Shelter campaign has raised well over half of what the SCC expects the facility to cost; additional community support is crucial to getting the effort over the goal line. For more about Safe Children Coalition, or to inquire about the challenge match to build the new Youth Shelter, contact Jacqueline House at jhouse@sccfl.org or call 941-371-4799, ext. 1127. 

SHARING SWEET SUCCESS | Corporate Good Hero Norman Love Confections gives back to the region that has supported the company since its inception, February 2024. 

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