SRQ DAILY Feb 19, 2025
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"I committed to contributing to the future of Sarasota and making meaningful investments"
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. This year, attendees were thrilled to be together as we recognized these individuals at our annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Awards luncheon and panel discussion on Tuesday, January 28 at Michael’s on East in Sarasota. In the coming weeks, we are happy to feature each of the ten honorees in our Wednesday Philanthropic edition of SRQ Daily.
Today we are recognizing Maria Morcillo, Lead Teacher at Children First. Morcillo has been an ambassador of giving back and a dedicated educator for nearly two decades. Her passion for early childhood education and her ability to make a lasting impact on the children, families and staff around her and her contributions, both in and out of the classroom, have had a profound and far-reaching influence on the community she serves. From a young age, she knew that teaching children would be her life’s mission. In 2006, she joined Children First as a lead teacher in a pre-kindergarten classroom and has held the position ever since. She seamlessly integrates teacher-directed and child-initiated activities into her classroom, tailoring learning to the interests and passions of her students. Whether it's learning about the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly or practicing green initiatives like recycling, Morcillo ensures that every child is engaged, excited and learning. Her classroom is a multicultural and multilingual environment. Her dedication to the field of early childhood education, her innovative thinking and her compassionate leadership make her an invaluable asset. Although she will be retiring in December, her legacy will resonate far beyond her time in the classroom. The seeds she has planted—through her mentorship, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to children and families—will grow and flourish for generations to come. 
Pictured: (l-r) Maria Morcillo with Wes Roberts, Executive Publisher, SRQ Magazine. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.
February is a month often associated with love, and at Operation New Hope, our greatest love is reentry. With over 15,000 lives impacted, we’ve seen how support, opportunity, and second chances rebuild families and communities. Love means believing in people, breaking the cycle of incarceration, and expanding hope across our state. This month, we celebrate the love that drives transformation and reaffirms our commitment to restoring communities.
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee is proud to announce a transformative gift of $4 million from philanthropist and entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar. This donation will establish the Shugar Pool Club, a groundbreaking aquatic facility featuring three distinct pool styles tailored to different age groups and skill levels on the Greenspon Campus for Jewish Life. “I committed to contributing to the future of Sarasota and making meaningful investments” said Shugar, who moved to Florida from California over five years ago.“. Through this project, I'm giving back to Sarasota in a way I hope will impact many generations to come.” For more information, visit www.jfedsrq.org.
Come play some cornhole — all while supporting a great cause. Join us on The Green at UTC on Mar. 29 for a social event and charity tournament for all skill levels, featuring music, food and raffle prizes. The event will benefit Sarasota Police Foundation (SPF), which provides the Sarasota Police Department with additional support for equipment, training, wellness and outreach programs that promote public safety and positive community engagement. Registration starts at 1:00 pm and the tournament begins at 2:00 pm. $20/per team for novice/intermediate division; $20/per player for competitive division (80% cash payout). Competitive Division is a blind draw (Randomly Drawn Partners). Double elimination bracket, single game on each side. Players can bring their own bags, or bags will be available to use. For those playing in the competitive division, bags must be ACL approved. Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams in each bracket.
Join us for a magical evening at our first annual "Garden In Bloom" Fundraiser Gala. Get ready to enjoy a night filled with live music, delicious food, live art, fashion, dancing and mingling with your local community.
Mar 1, 5:00pm–11:00pm, Secret Garden, Building G-2, 5041 Ringwood Meadow, Sarasota.
The Hermitage Artist Retreat announces the newest program in its popular “Hermitage Sunsets @ Benderson Park” series, an ongoing partnership with Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy that was established in 2023. The first Hermitage/NBP collaboration in 2025 is scheduled for Thursday, March 20 at 6:30pm, featuring playwright, director, performer, and Hermitage Fellow Madeline Sayet. Known throughout the theater world for her work in contemporary Native American theater and indigenizing Western classics, Sayet is a member of the Mohegan Tribe in Connecticut, where she was raised on a combination of traditional Mohegan stories and Shakespeare – both of which have influenced her work.
For this exciting program on Sunday, March 9 at 3pm, Peace Memorial’s fine Casavant pipe organ will be on full display, combining with the soaring strings of the violin. Solo and duet selections will include works by Handel, Bach, Brahms, Fanny Mendelssohn and Debussy, as well as lovely hymn arrangements. The rich acoustics of the Peace sanctuary are perfectly suited to enhance this interesting pairing of instruments. Peace Memorial Presbyterian Church (the pink church downtown) 110 S. Ft., Harrison Ave., Clearwater (at corner of Pierce and Ft. Harrison). No tickets needed and seating is first come, first served. An offering to help defray future performance costs is respectfully requested but not required ($5-$10 minimum suggested). Doors open at 2:30.
Celebrate National Margarita Day with us and enjoy unbeatable specials that make every sip worth savoring! Named Bradenton's Best Margarita multiple years in a row, our margaritas are the perfect mix of classic and creative flavors. There's nothing better than Margaritas and Oysters—so grab your crew, indulge in great drinks, and soak up the fun vibes at Anna Maria Oyster Bar! House Margaritas for just $2.22; Margarita Flights (2 flights) for $22, featuring a variety of delicious flavors.
Saturday, February 22, All Anna Maria Oyster Bar Locations.
Join us in The Planetarium at The Bishop to celebrate the Chinese New Year! Dive into the mythology behind traditional asterisms, discover the tremendous achievements and feats of engineering in astronomy over millennia, and uncover the intricacies in the lunar calendar for the Year of the Snake! $10/$3 for Members/Members under 17; $15/$5 for Non-Members/Non-Members under 17. Doors open at 6:30pm. Presentation begins at 7pm inside The Planetarium. Preregistration required.
Wednesday, February 26, 7:00pm - 8:00pm, The Planetarium at The Bishop, 941-746-4131.
Tuesday, January 28th, SRQ Magazine hosted the annual Giving Coast and Good Hero Philanthropic Awards Luncheon. Local nonprofits, foundations, corporate donors, individuals and civic leaders came together to celebrate the community's spirit of giving and recognize leaders in philanthropy. Attendees were invited to share their “giving wishes” on behalf of area nonprofits by writing their wishes on gift tags and hanging them for display on the SRQ Giving Wish Tree.
Sisterhood for Good wishes for perpetual donors for named sponsorships. Reach out to Angela Massaro-Fain (Communications@SFGflorida.org).
Project 180 wishes for donations to put towards a van that will offer reliable transportation upon release from prison to a safe stable living arrangement. To donate towards this goal reach out to Project 180 (info@project180la.com).
Friends of Manatee County Animal Services wishes for one critical care vet trio to Dr. Rose. To help facilitate this wish, reach out to them (info@fomcas.org).
Zonta Club of Sarasota wishes to increase club membership with a younger demographic who care about building a better world for women and girls. To help them share their message, reach out to Zonta Club Sarasota (zontasrq@gmail.com).
The Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee wishes for a new ropes course for their new athletic complex. To help facilitate this wish, reach out to Ellen Biddle (ebiddle@jfedsrq.org).
As these organizations call on the community to fulfill their wishes, click on each organization to learn more and find ways to give back. The spirit of giving is for all who want to give back to our local community!
Lily Evans uses photography to evoke deeper conversations about historical events, current issues, and race. The exhibit is part of “Beyond Regional Boundaries,” an initiative created to amplify the voices of Black artists across the Sarasota- Manatee region.
Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center, 525 Kumquat Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236
Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency will be collecting donations of new books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. The books will be distributed to the children and families enrolled with Children First, as well as distributed to the agency’s local nonprofit and education partners.Children First, Inc., the exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services for Sarasota County, kicked off its second annual “Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader” book drive on February 1. Spearheaded by community advocate Sheila Birnbaum, the agency will be collecting donations of new books for children ages 5 and under to promote the importance of literacy. The books will be distributed to the children and families enrolled with Children First, as well as distributed to the agency’s local nonprofit and education partners.
Children First, 1723 N Orange Ave, Sarasota, FL 34234
Circus Sarasota is back with an ALL NEW show in 2025 featuring awe-inspiring artistry from around the world. Your hometown circus returns under our NEW BIG TOP at Nathen Benderson Park this winter. Limited tickets are available for this annual tradition – book today!
Nathan Benderson Park, 5851 Nathan Benderson Cir, Sarasota, FL 34235
Much of the focus in higher education this century has been on the expansion of STEM education and establishing quotas on STEM degrees awarded. The timeless facets of a liberal arts education are key to making our citizenry malleable in these changing times, ready to lead and move our nation forward in the face of any technological advancements. This conversation will lay bare the value of liberal arts as an essential part of modern higher education, and explore what New College is doing to create a mold for universities across the nation to follow.
Mildred Sainer Pavilion - New College of Florida, 5313 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
This annual get-together joins community and business leaders; philanthropists; non-profit agencies; foundations; and volunteers in an inspiring celebration of non-profit excellence, mission, and impact: past, present, and future! Our theme this year, DARE TO C.A.R.E.! will celebrate the power of Collaboration, Action, Responsiveness, and Evolution as we celebrate 35 years of services and impact in our community!
Carlisle Inn, 3727 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232
Join us for a conversation with filmmaker and journalist KT Curran, parents, and youth. Learn how bullying has changed in the modern era and how schools are responding. Be a part of collective efforts to prevent bullying and to create safe spaces for healing.
The Academy at Glengary, 1910 Glengary St, Sarasota, FL 34231
Join us for a magical evening at our FIRST annual "Garden In Bloom" Fundraiser Gala! Get ready to enjoy a night filled with fashion, live art, dancing, live music, delicious food, giving back, and mingling with your local community.
The Meadows, 5041 Ringwood Meadow Sarasota, FL 34235
The Florida Cancer Specialists (FCS) Foundation has transformed its iconic fundraiser "Party Under the Stars" into a Murder Mystery Evening set in the 1920s that includes dinner and an interactive performance from the Murder Mystery Company. At The Ora in Sarasota, it's more than a glamorous whodunit - it's a night of making a difference in the lives of those who need it most. Our mission is not some obscure code meant for ciphers but a pretty clear-cut one: Providing non-medical, financial assistance to adults undergoing cancer treatment in Florida to allow them to focus on fighting cancer.
The Ora, 578 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34232
Join Sarasota County for the second annual Bay Fest on Saturday, March 1, a free community event designed to educate and inspire action to protect our bays. In partnership with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, Bay Fest offers hands-on experiences, interactive demonstrations and expert insights on how actions on land impact local waterways.
The Bay, 1055 Blvd of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236
A hit on Broadway and film, this hilarious play includes short playlets exploring the crazy and funny worlds of love, featuring one couple dating, marrying and divorcing, another long-married couple who can't remember who starts what, and a philandering husband and his hysterical, fed-up mistress.
Art Center Sarasota, 707 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
On March 4, Meals on Wheels of Sarasota will celebrate their signature fundraiser, March For Meals, at Michael's On East. Meals on Wheels of Sarasota is striving to raise a
fundraising total of $125,000. Proceeds from the event will benefit their Home Delivered Meal program which serves more than 500 elderly and homebound citizens with a nutritious meal, connection, and wellness checks. Between January and November 2024, Meals on Wheels served 146,000 meals with the help of 200+ weekly volunteers.
Michael's On East , 1212 S East Ave, Sarasota, FL 34239
Manatee Community Foundation (MCF) is pleased to announce its annual Spirit of Manatee Awards Celebration, set for Wednesday, March 13, 2025, at the new Palmetto Marriot Resort, presented by The Milestone Financial Group at Morgan Stanley. This year’s special event will honor the generosity and resilience that define Manatee County. Departing from the traditional awards format, it will celebrate the unsung heroes who stepped up to meet the challenges of the past year.
Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa, 600 US Highway 41, Palmetto, FL 34221
Join us for the 2025 ALSO Youth Brunch Benefit at Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill. Enjoy live music, sushi buffet, a silent auction of local treasures, and joyous community! Tickets are $50 per person. Seating is limited - make sure you have a spot by purchasing your tickets in advance!
Tsunami Sushi & Hibachi Grill, 100 Central Ave suite 1022, Sarasota, FL 34236
Ron and Joy are stunned when their well-meaning but clueless friend, Gary, lands a book deal for his self-help guide. As they try to talk him out of quitting his job to become a life coach, their efforts unravel hidden secrets, throwing their own relationship into chaotic—and comedic—turmoil. Advice explores ambition, friendship, and the chaos that comes with taking your own advice.
Bowne's Lab, 1265 1st Street Sarasota, Fl 34236
Magazine1 is celebrating the release of its second and third issues with a reading from several of its contributors! Magazine1 is a literary magazine based out of Bookstore1 in Sarasota, Florida. Our magazine is an online publication and features works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, visual art, and hybrid work that may not fit evenly into any other genres as they are traditionally understood. We will be featuring readers from our most recent two issues, come celebrate them with us!
Bookstore 1, 117 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us for a staged reading of the new book, POEMS OF 1968 by Don McLagan. It was a year of trouble. In 1968, the Vietnam War divided students against authority, and children against parents. The volcano of technology spewed new power and threats in equal measure. Civil rights were legislated on the willing and the unwilling - many were unwilling. The President stepped back from another run for office. Two leaders were assassinated. It was a year of division, hurt, and rage, it seemed, like no other.
Bookstore 1, 117 S Pineapple Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us on the Great Lawn of Selby Gardens' Downtown Sarasota campus for a casually elegant outdoor Garden to Plate dining experience! Enjoy fine wines selected by Michael Klauber that complement a multi-course dinner personally designed by Phil Mancini.
Downtown Sarasota campus , 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
The Baby Laurence Legacy Project is an evening-length performance that investigates and celebrates the artistic genius of Donald “Baby Laurence” Jackson, a Baltimore-bred game-changer, and his impact on tap dance and jazz music. This production aims to redefine the relationship between technology, tap dancing, and jazz music to build a platform for sharing Laurence’s largely forgotten story with audiences.
Historic Asolo Theater, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) announces “Creating Your Success,” a dynamic six-part workshop series designed to empower women with personal and professional growth tools. From mastering stress and improving communication to developing negotiation skills and building better relationships, this free series is a comprehensive roadmap for achieving success and balance in life.
Women's Resource Center Sarasota, 340 S Tuttle Ave, Sarasota, FL 34237
Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) is thrilled to announce its highly anticipated annual SPARCC Runway Fashion Show, "Sarasota Seascape – Tides and Trends," set to take place on Friday, March 28, 2025, at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. This premier fundraiser combines style and purpose, as all proceeds directly benefit SPARCC's mission to provide a safe haven and promote empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
SRQ DAILY is produced by SRQ | The Magazine. Note: The views and opinions expressed in the Saturday Perspectives Edition and in the Letters department of SRQ DAILY are those of the author(s) and do not imply endorsement by SRQ Media. Senior Editor Jacob Ogles edits the Saturday Perspective Edition, Letters and Guest Contributor columns.In the CocoTele department, SRQ DAILY is providing excerpts from news releases as a public service. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by SRQ DAILY. The views expressed by individuals are their own and their appearance in this section does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. For rates on SRQ DAILY banner advertising and sponsored content opportunities, please contact Ashley Ryan Cannon at 941-365-7702 x211 or via email |
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