National First Responders Day, celebrated on October 28, is a day dedicated to expressing gratitude for the courage and commitment of those who serve and protect the public. To honor the first responders in Manatee County, Dogs Inc. organized visits with puppies, ambassador dogs, and service dogs in training at six fire and police stations across the area. This initiative aimed to share the healing power of canine companionship with those who have given so much.

During the visits, firefighters, police officers, and staff had the opportunity to interact with the dogs, enjoying moments of petting, cuddling, and play. Each station also received a keepsake photo capturing the joyful interactions from the day. In total, there were four service dogs in training, four Ambassador dogs, and 12 puppies that visited the six stations: North River Fire District Station #1, South Manatee Fire Rescue Station #1, Cedar Hammock Fire Rescue Station #1, West Manatee Fire Rescue Station #1, Bradenton Fire Department and City of Bradenton Police Department.

“If you take Hurricane Debbie into account, we were hit with three back-to-back hurricanes. We have a lot of newer officers, and this was an eye opener to them," shared Brian Thiers, Captain of Patrol Operations at the Bradenton Police Department. “During Milton, we were on for about 12 days straight. Typically, we're the agency that leaves Bradenton to go help areas that have been hit. This time around, we were the ones receiving the help. So, we had officers from the Ocala Police Department and a contingent out of Miami that came just to help us because our people were burned out. To have these amazing dogs come to be loved on and to love back, it's the greatest thing ever. It’s awesome.” 

Pictured: Firefighters from West Manatee Fire Rescue were surrounded by canine love on October 28. Photo courtesy of Dogs Inc.

After the devastating impacts to Manatee County brought on by the back-to-back destruction unleashed by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, the Bishop-Parker Foundation has announced a $100,000 contribution to the Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Season of Sharing to be directed to Manatee County residents in need. Many whose jobs have been disrupted, and others who face unexpected damage repair payments—or down payments on new lease agreements—may be financially strained, unable to afford basic necessities. Season of Sharing was initially conceived nearly 25 years ago to help people in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties rebound from setbacks with dignity. All gifts to Season of Sharing are distributed to those in need in our four-county region and may be used for rent or mortgage assistance, utility bills, childcare, transportation, or other crucial expenses to help families restore a sense of security when it is needed most urgently. Every dollar contributed to Season of Sharing goes to those in need, with no administrative costs, so donors are assured that their gift makes the greatest impact. The 25th annual Season of Sharing fundraising campaign this year was activated in the wake of Hurricane Helene, more than a month earlier than it typically does each year, to help the thousands of lives disrupted by the damage of that unprecedented storm surge on our coastal communities. Hurricane Milton, with more widespread impacts, has only compounded the needs of our communities. Manatee County was especially hard hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, with some neighborhoods destroyed, prompting new restrictions on rebuilding that comply with new FEMA guidelines, leaving many without the option of repairing or rebuilding their homes. Hurricane Helene caused an estimated $350 million in damage to property and climbing, according to reporting in The Observer, while Milton caused another $250 million in damage to homes and businesses, according to early estimates reported in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Donations to Season of Sharing can be made online at cfsarasota.org/donors/support-our-community#donate or by sending a check (payable to Community Foundation of Sarasota County) to Attn: Season of Sharing, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. All donations are tax-deductible, with every dollar going directly toward our region’s needs. 

On behalf of Project 180’s Board of Directors, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Theresa Cusimano, J.D., as the new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 16, 2024. After an extensive national search, Ms. Cusimano emerged as the ideal candidate to lead Project 180 into its next chapter. Her depth of experience, passion, and vision will be invaluable in advancing our mission of rebuilding lives after incarceration. With over thirty years of experience in nonprofit leadership and higher education, Theresa has dedicated her career to championing systemic reform across vulnerable populations and communities. As a co-founder of the Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education in Prisons, she worked to expand access to educational opportunities for incarcerated individuals. Over her career, she developed vital community partnerships with law enforcement and the judicial system, while advocating for the S.T.E.P Academy, a program supporting individuals recently released from prison to find their pathway into post-secondary education. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Theresa brings a deep understanding of trauma, recovery, and the challenges of reintegration, which aligns with Project 180’s commitment to offering holistic support for formerly incarcerated individuals. Nationally recognized for her leadership in justice and human rights, her focus on program expansion and fundraising will drive continued progress at Project 180. Cusimano succeeds Barbara Richards, Project 180’s founder and CEO, who has led the organization with unwavering dedication for sixteen years. Barbara will continue to support the leadership transition through the end of the year, ensuring a smooth handoff as Theresa steps into her new role. Project 180 is excited about the future under Theresa’s leadership and remains committed to making significant strides in its mission of providing life-changing services to formerly incarcerated individuals, fostering personal transformation, and supporting their reintegration into society. 

Pictured: (l-r): Theresa Cusimano, J.D. and Barbara Richards. Photo courtesy of Project 180.

Senior Friendship Centers announces the continuation of its popular monthly authors series, “Joyful Journeys.” This engaging, free series celebrates the art of storytelling and highlights local authors. Each month, “Joyful Journeys” features a different author who will share their unique insights, captivating stories, and personal experiences. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in lively discussions, participate in Q&A sessions, and connect with fellow literature enthusiasts. These monthly events are on Thursdays, 5-6:30 p.m., at Senior Friendship Centers, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota. “Joyful Journeys” is free, but registration is required at https://friendshipcenters.org/category/events/. For more information about Senior Friendship Centers, call 941-556-3269 or visit friendshipcenters.org. 

As the area continues recovery efforts from hurricanes Helene and Milton, Norman Love Confections is excited to announce our partnership with the non-profit organization Better Together. We’ve created a sweet way to give back: a specialty Florida-themed box aptly named I Love Florida, from which a portion of proceeds will be donated to further support our local communities and families. Better Together is a FL-based non-profit organization committed to supporting local families impacted by these storms. 

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Prepare to be amazed as you enter a world where curiosity reigns, and wonder knows no bounds. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature invites you to ignite your imagination and delve into the mysteries of our universe, the wonders of our planet, and the intricacies of the natural world as you unleash your inner explorer. In our state-of-the-art planetarium, we embark on a breathtaking virtual voyage through the cosmos. Soar past distant stars, explore alien galaxies, and witness the awe-inspiring beauty of the universe. Unearth the history of Florida, from its prehistoric origins to the present day, and marvel at the incredible creatures that once roamed our land. Become a scientist for the day! Explore, experiment, and discover the wonders of science and engineering in our interactive learning space, the Mosaic Backyard Universe. Witness the incredible work of our Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat, a haven for rescued manatees on their journey back to the wild. Learn about these gentle giants and the challenges they face, and be inspired by their resilience. The Bishop is more than just a museum; it’s a hub of learning and discovery for all ages. Our engaging programs and exhibits spark a lifelong love of science and nature, nurturing the next generation of archaeologists, nature lovers, scientists, and space explorers. Your support is vital in ensuring that The Bishop continues to inspire and educate. Together, we can foster a deeper appreciation for the world around us and empower future generations to make their own discoveries. 

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Community Foundation of Sarasota County President and CEO Roxie Jerde will present on Oct. 31 in a national webinar hosted by the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to discuss how climate change affects grantmaking. The webinar, “Beyond the hurricanes: What climate change means for funders,” begins at 2 p.m. on Oct. 31 and is free and open to the public. The program will address how climate change is altering the playbook for disaster philanthropy, particularly because of the frequency of hurricanes and increasingly impactful secondary perils—storm surge, flash flooding, heavy rainfalls and tornadoes—that are ravaging communities well beyond the initial hurricane. 

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The Early Learning Coalition of Manatee County, Inc. (ELC) today distributed $106,000 in quality grants to local child care providers as they continue recovery efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This emergency payment will assist providers in replacing outdoor playground equipment that has been lost or destroyed, classroom supplies that were damaged, and other materials needed to maintain the highest-quality learning environment in their centers. In the immediate aftermath of Milton, ELC staff contacted each provider to ensure they had every support possible to re-open. Within a week, all but one of 147 child care sites were open and operational, and ELC is working with that one displaced provider to source alternative facilities.ELC Chief Executive Officer Darrell King paid tribute to the resilience and commitment once more shown by local child care providers to stay open and provide a safe learning environment for the community, especially the children of first responders, as they worked tirelessly to get Manatee County back on its feet. 

The entire Circus Arts Conservatory team stands with our community as we recover from Hurricane Milton. Our hearts are with everyone who has been affected by the storm. Like much of Sarasota, CAC has faced significant challenges from flooding this summer, with almost all of our buildings damaged by a flash flood in June, followed by Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and now Milton. Whatever challenges come our way, we remain committed to bringing life-changing circus arts programs to the young people of Sarasota – especially the thousands of children currently participating in our programs: Sailor Circus Academy, High School and Middle School Magnet classes, Recreational Classes, and Educational Outreach. Together, we will recover. We are #CACStrong and we are #SarasotaStrong! If you would like to join us in our recovery journey, please donate today. 

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As many of you know, Manasota Remembers is a three-part initiative to acknowledge and honor lives lost to racial terror lynching in our region.Our community's journey toward truth and reconciliation began with our young people. Through the Manasota Remembers Racial Justice Essay Contest last spring, local high school students courageously explored what racial justice means in our time. Their words helped us confront our past and envision a future of understanding and inclusion. In February 2024, we gathered for the unveiling and dedication of a historical marker - a permanent testament to six lives lost to racial terror lynching in our community. Now, you're invited to join us for the third and final chapter of this journey, The Soil Ceremony, on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. Through song, spoken word, and the symbolic transfer of soil from lynching sites into memorial jars, we will honor Henry Thomas, Sam Ellis, Wade Ellis, Mr. Ruddy, William English, and James Franklin, whose lives were tragically taken between 1903 and 1934. 

Choral Artists of Sarasota is pleased to announce the receipt of multiple grants totaling over $72,000. These generous contributions will help expand the nonprofit’s 2024-2025 programming. 

The residents of Plymouth Harbor, Sarasota’s premier life plan community, have responded in an unprecedented way with contributions to its Employee Hardship Fund for hurricane relief. To date, 106 resident donors have contributed $288,553. Those funds have already begun to reach some of the 52 team members who have submitted hardship requests. Two rounds of checks have been distributed covering Hurricane’s Helene and Milton with more on the way. Requests range from homes severely flooded, cars damaged or flooded, roofs and property damage and food lost from power outages.Newly installed Vice President of Philanthropy Chris Pfahler said, “It’s inspiring to see such a strong sense of community and a tremendous outpouring of support during challenging times." President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead sent a letter to residents following Hurricane Helene outlining some of the hardship’s employees were experiencing. Those hardships only increased with the arrival of Milton. “Our residents are beyond generous,” said Weatherhead. “They showed their appreciation for the employees during the stress and anxiety they too have been experiencing. We are overwhelmingly grateful for the care they demonstrate to those who serve them.” For more information contact: Kristine Nickel @ 941-9285572. 

For a second consecutive year, Florida Trend Magazine has named president and CEO Jennifer Rominiecki to the Florida 500, a list of Florida’s most influential business leaders representing 500 candidates across major industries. The editors of Florida Trend selected the executives after conducting hundreds of interviews and months of research, culminating in a highly selective biographical guide to the leaders of Florida.Since joining Selby Gardens in 2015, Rominiecki has been a visionary, bringing twenty years of experience at major New York City cultural institutions. After arriving, she repositioned the institution as The Living Museum®, enacting a new operating model that has yielded increases of 170% in membership and 141% in overall earned revenues. Rominiecki has also overseen the creation and execution of a five-year Strategic Plan, a new three-year Strategic Plan, as well as an innovative Master Site Plan for which more than $57 million has been raised. Phase One of the Master Site Plan opened to the public in January 2024, creating the first net positive energy botanical garden complex in the world. In May 2020, she oversaw the adoption of Historic Spanish Point as a companion campus to Selby Gardens’ Downtown Sarasota location to form one organization with two bayfront sanctuaries connecting people to air plants of the world, native nature, and regional history. Rominiecki is the former Chair of the Board of VISIT FLORIDA. She currently serves on the Boards of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, the Science and Environment Council of Southwest Florida, as well as the Southeast Advisory Council of Lafayette College. During Rominiecki’s tenure, she and Selby Gardens have received numerous awards. Most recently, Selby Gardens was selected for TIME’s annual list of the “World’s Greatest Places” for 2024. In addition, Visit Sarasota named Rominiecki the “2024 Voice of Sarasota”; the Business and Professional Women of North Sarasota named Rominiecki a Woman of the Year for 2024; and the Climate Adaptation Center named Rominiecki a Climate Champion and presented her with a 2024 Climate Champion Beacon Award. The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce named Selby Gardens the Woman Led Business of the Year in 2021 and the Small Business of the Year in 2019. In 2019, Rominiecki was named a Businesswoman of the Year Honoree by Tampa Bay Business Journal. In 2017, she was honored with the AJC Civic Achievement Award and the Leadership Award for Arts Management from the Arts and Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County. She has also received SRQ Magazine’s Women in Business “Hear Me Roar”. Leadership Award in 2016. 

During Hurricane Milton, child welfare agency Safe Children Coalition suffered significant damage to its Sarasota and Bradenton offices. At the same time, many of the children and families served by Safe Children Coalition (SCC) as well as some of its team members were impacted by the storm, with home and property damage as well as food spoilage due to the loss of power. To help those affected, SCC was awarded two grants: from the Florida Disaster Assistance Fund ($50,000) and Gulf Coast Community Foundation ($20,000) to assist area children and families, and SCC employees. These funds are helping to provide/support: gift cards to replace spoiled food and/or purchase gas; the delivery of food, water and other supplies to families; assistance with home repairs; assistance in finding temporary housing; and help with relocation expenses. 

Art Center Sarasota is pleased to announce the receipt of multiple grants totaling over $99,333. These generous contributions will help expand the center’s exhibitions programming and youth education initiatives, providing critical support for its ongoing mission to foster creativity and arts engagement in the Sarasota community.