SRQ DAILY Mar 12, 2025
Wednesday Philanthropy Edition
"Any time that there is stress, dogs are wonderful for relieving it."
Dogs have a special way of easing stress, and on Friday, March 7, the pups from Dogs Inc. did just that with a visit to Sarasota Memorial Hospital (SMH). Snuggling up to healthcare workers, the dogs offered a much-needed emotional lift, helping those who dedicate so much of their time to caring for others feel a little more supported themselves.
During the special visit, over 160 SMH staff members were able to greet, meet, pet and hug the Dogs Inc. pups in training. One newly graduated nurse–in training herself on SMH’s nurse residency unit–especially enjoyed the visit, calling it the highlight of her week.
Joanna D’Elia added, “This was the best day ever. It’s so nice to just stop and hug these puppies!”
Blair McFarlane, a puppy raiser since 2022 arrived with CB Holden, a 9 month old pup. “Any time that there is stress, dogs are wonderful for relieving it,” he said. “They are very sensitive creatures, and they can sense it in people. They know that their presence can have a calming influence.”
Along with making new friends, Friday’s adventure was full of exposure for both the pups and their handlers who learned to navigate elevators, parking garages and breezeways together.
The dogs left SMH with boosted confidence and new skills—such as impulse control and focus—that will help them in their future careers as working dogs. 
Pictured: Belly rubs and kisses made for a perfect puppy visit at SMH. Photo courtesy of Dogs Inc.
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 a Corporate Good Hero, Sarasota Ford’s Matt Buchanan. Sarasota Ford has been a major sponsor of the Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival, benefitting Suncoast Charities for Children, for 20 years organizing toy drives and hurricane/flood relief drives. They also organized the "One Community One Team" initiative to recognize selfless efforts of local citizens, teachers, police officers, firefighters, first responders, members of the military and Veterans by rewarding them with all-expense paid experiences. They are truly a corporate good hero making a positive impact on so many here in our local community.
Pictured: (l-r) Mirza Velic, Chief Experience Officer of Sarasota Ford (accepting the award on Buchanan's behalf) with Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine, Wes Roberts. Photo by Wyatt Kostygan.
Cheer on Olympic-level riders and horses every weekend from February 15 to March 16! Join us as a VIP on Saturdays at 11am, with your table in the beautiful pavilion. Enjoy panoramic views of the competition and a gourmet brunch buffet from our all-new Executive Chef, Christopher Capstick. Experience the best in Grand Prix Show Jumping with the $65,000 International Grand Prix on Weeks 1-4, and the Split Rock Jumping Tour $100,000 Grand Prix on Week 5 for an incredible finale! Come back on Sundays for Family Breakfast in the Pavilion at from 8am to 11am during the $25,000 TerraNova Prix and bring the kids for a hands-on experience at Mini Horsemanship Camp. Family Breakfast tickets are sold at the door. Mini Camp and VIP require reservations. General admission is free with bleacher seating and food trucks for your enjoyment!
Centerstone, a nonprofit health system specializing in mental health and substance use disorder services, announces Dr. Lisa Williams as regional chief executive officer for its operations in Florida. Williams’ 25 years of experience in strategic leadership, advocacy, and organizational development brings a unique perspective as she oversees Centerstone’s operations including inpatient, outpatient, and residential mental health and substance use disorder services in Bradenton, Sarasota, Labelle, Arcadia, and Fort Myers.
In response to overwhelming community support, Choral Artists of Sarasota will present an encore performance of “Considering Matthew Shepard” on Saturday, April 5, 4 p.m., at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1031 S. Euclid Ave., Sarasota. This powerful modern-day cantata tells the heartbreaking yet ultimately hopeful story of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man from Wyoming who was brutally beaten and left to die on a fence in 1998. His tragic death became a catalyst for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, and this choral work—both gut-wrenching and inspiring—honors his memory while offering a vision of a world shaped by love and acceptance. A light reception will follow the performance, providing an opportunity for reflection and conversation. Tickets for the concert are $40 (general admission) and $5 (students). For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ChoralArtistsSarasota.org or call 941-387-6046.
Last Thursday, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida (PPSWCF) hosted their annual Sarasota-Manatee fundraising dinner at The Ora Hotel. The event, themed “Care. No Matter What,” was the most successful in PPSWCF’s history in the region, with a record number of attendees, sponsors, and dollars raised. Highlights: nearly $900,000 raised, over 400 attendees and nearly 100 sponsors. The event featured educational videos from students as part of the Ringling College of Art + Design INDEX Program, an experiential education initiative developed by Ringling in partnership with The Patterson Foundation. The videos cover topics including condom storage, comfort during sex, and masturbation and are set to premiere on social media in the coming weeks.
The Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation is pleased to share updates to the Economic Impact Study that highlight the contributions of a new performing arts center for Sarasota and Sarasota County. Originally released last May, the updated study reflects the latest building brief and business plan, including a larger theater with 2,700 seats, which is an addition of 500 seats. Prepared by HR&A Advisors—one of the nation’s foremost real estate and economic development firms—the study projects over $194 million in annual economic activity. This figure exceeds the current economic impact of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall by 68%, marking a substantial advancement for the city's cultural and economic vitality.
Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast) is pleased to announce that applications for their highly anticipated 2025 Gulf Coast Leadership Institute are now open. Gulf Coast Leadership Institute is designed to grow a network of skilled, action-oriented leaders who are committed to using their leadership skills to help transform their communities through service. For the 2025 class, up to 25 people will be selected to participate in leadership development sessions over a two-month period beginning in May at Gulf Coast’s Sarasota Philanthropy Center, 1549 State Street, Sarasota. Applications will close on Tuesday, April 22. The online application, statement of commitment, and overview for the program are available at GulfCoastCF.org/GCLI. Over 400 participants have participated in Gulf Coast Leadership Institute.
The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) has received two significant grants from Gulf Coast Community Foundation (Gulf Coast). These funds will advance
WRC’s mission to empower women and families in Southwest Florida by addressing critical challenges in mental health and community resource accessibility.
The Patterson Foundation is giving a capping gift of $1 million in unrestricted funding to The Bay, the signature public park along Sarasota Bay. This gift recognizes how this “One Park for All” is bringing the community’s vision to life and the continued progress toward creating even more park for everyone to enjoy. The capping gift completes The Patterson Foundation’s cumulative investment into The Bay at $10 million from individual gifts and donation match opportunities since 2016, which have catalyzed $50 million total in private funding toward the park’s creation, ongoing operations and free programming.
Project 180, a Sarasota-based nonprofit organization aimed at successful prisoner re-entry, hosted its bi-annual lecture last Friday, March 7, exploring solutions to labor shortages while sharing successful education case studies. Building upon last year’s interest in their documentary debut, The Light They Cast, Project 180 sold out! If you missed it, keep an eye out for the Sarasota Film Festival announcements to see if Project 180 will make the cut for the festival’s April 5 kick off.
HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital has been recognized as a 2025 Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recipient by Healthgrades. The achievement reflects the hospital’s commitment to safe, patient care and puts the organization in the top five percent of hospitals nationwide for patient safety. The hospital has earned this distinction seven years in a row (2019-2025.) To determine the top-performing hospitals, Healthgrades evaluated risk-adjusted complication and mortality rates for approximately 4,500 hospitals nationwide. The analysis showed significant gaps between the highest- and lowest-achieving facilities. From 2021-2023, 173,280 preventable safety events occurred among Medicare patients in U.S. hospitals.
This time of year had a special significance in ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, and the term originates from their studies of astrology. Nowadays, the term has taken on new meanings as pet parents associate it with lazy days when dogs are so hot they just want to lay in the shade and sip an ice-cold Puppuccino. Artists are invited to share their favorite fur-baby creations of dogs and cats.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
The 34th National Juried Exhibition showcases the best representational paintings produced across North America. With nearly 200 juried artists and many invited Master Signature artists, it serves as a showcase for both up-and-coming talent and some of the most celebrated artists working today. The exhibition does not focus on a single style or theme but instead celebrates the diversity and art produced within the representational oil painting tradition. The exhibition & opening is in conjunction with the OPA National Convention, which features numerous lectures, painting demonstrations, and social events geared to artists and collectors.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
Indulge in a magical experience at our inaugural luncheon where you can step into your own wonderland and immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Holiday House SRQ. Proceeds from the lunch will directly fund the 2025 Holiday House Season.
Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236
ArtCenter Manatee once again joins with the School District of Manatee County to showcase the work of K-12 visual arts students. By partnering with ArtCenter Manatee, that commitment is furthered by giving these young artists a 'voice' - three museum-quality galleries, where their work can be professionally displayed and where the artists can receive positive recognition by a wider audience.
ArtCenter Manatee, 209 9th St West Bradenton, FL 34205
The Education Foundation of Sarasota County is proud to host a run across the iconic Ringling Bridge! There are several options for runners and families—5K, 10K, and a family fun run. The run supports student and teacher programming, helping students to get ready and go further.
The Bay: Civic Green Lawn, 801 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Your evening begins by meeting your fellow South American oligarchs over a specialty cocktail (or beer or wine) at Rae's Cabaret in MPAC's grand lobby. Next, you will be conducted upstairs to the Ballroom, for a brief participatory tango demonstration, followed by a two-course dinner accompanied by Argentine wines. Finally, you will be given premium main stage seatin g for MPAC's production of the award-winning Broadway musical "Evita."
Manatee Performing Arts Center , 502 3rd Avenue West Bradenton FL 34205
Jump into Spring at the Meadows Market! Catch the Easter Bunny on the lawn for a Family Photo or search for the Golden Egg at the Egg hunt
The Meadows, 5041 Ringwood Meadow Sarasota, FL 34235
The Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) will host its annual fundraising luncheon, PAWS 2025: Mission Pawssible at the Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. You don't want to miss the fun-filled annual event! At Mission Pawssible, guests will be immersed in an exciting, interactive experience with animal “agents” on a mission to find their forever homes. It will be an inspiring afternoon featuring live entertainment, heartwarming stories, and an opportunity to support the lifesaving work of HSSC. It’s a chance to make a real impact on the lives of homeless cats and dogs. The mission is simple: raise crucial funds to help provide shelter, medical care, food, and enrichment activities for more than 3,000 animals yearly.
Ritz-Carlton Sarasota, 1111 Ritz Carlton Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
At Children First’s 25th Anniversary Fairytale Ball: Magic is All Around, enjoy a timeless experience like never before. Step into a world of imagination and whimsical beauty where fairytales bring our mission to life. Learn about your collective impact on our children and families through heartfelt stories and enjoy a delectable dinner and libations from Michael’s On East.
Michael's On East , Michael's on East Ballroom
BAM!Fest (Bradenton Art & Music Festival) is a free event that will transform the Riverwalk into a dynamic, diverse, immersive art and music experience from bridge to bridge! This community collaboration is coordinated by Realize Bradenton and includes: musicians from a variety of genres on multiple stages, pop up performance acts along the Riverwalk, live creation of large scale visual art, interactive art projects, local art for sale, and culinary treats from local food vendors.
Bradenton Riverwalk, 452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
The nostalgia of the best decade returns to Fresh Fridays. Join us for our classic Back to the 80s night on Main St. from 7 to 10 pm on April 4. Stay tuned for all the throwback details that are soon to come.
Downtown Sarasota, Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236, United States
Join us on April 1st for the official 2025 Hurricane Season Forecast, where we’ll break down what to expect and how to prepare. No fooling, this is the forecast that matters. Hurricane season is no joke, and while we’re announcing our official 2025 forecast on April 1st, we can promise you, it’s a forecast that you can count on! With our proven track record of accuracy, this is the forecast you can trust.
University of South Florida - Sarasota-Manatee Campus, 8350 N Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34243
After stormy weather postponed its January grand opening, Embracing Our Differences has reimagined the celebration as "Embracing Our Community: A Celebration of Kindness."; This free event takes place on Sunday, March 30, from noon to 3 p.m., at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The celebration features three performances by the phenomenal musician, singer and songwriter, Shelby Sol. Local arts and education organizations will be in attendence.
Sarasota's Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236
Program Six sees the long-awaited Company premiere of Sir Frederick Ashton’s full-length story ballet Romeo and Juliet, bringing the grandeur and passion of Shakespeare’s beloved tragedy to the Sarasota stage. Choreographed in 1955 to Sergei Prokofiev’s score, the ballet brought great success for the Royal Danish Ballet. Unlike many other productions, Ashton decided to truly focus on the “intimate tragedy of two young people caught in an all-consuming passion” (David Vaughan, Frederick Ashton and his Ballets, 1977). Infused with Ashton’s musicality and penchant for heart-fluttering pas de deux, Romeo and Juliet clearly demonstrates Ashton’s choreographic genius and his ability to portray the nature of humanity through dance.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, 777 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236
Save the date for the return of the Jazz Trolley Pub Crawl. Enjoy a great meal and stellar cocktails at one of the multiple locations.
Van Wezel , 777 North Tamiami Trail Sarasota, FL 34236
Wellen Park is pleased to announce the 3rd Annual Half Marathon and 5K, presented by Hotwire Communications. Starting and finishing in the downtown area of Wellen Park in Venice, Florida. This race will benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.
Solis Hall, Wellen Park, 19745 Wellen Park Blvd, Venice, FL 34293
A special affair just around the corner from the Sarasota Opera House just before the opening night performance of Stiffelio. Note that this does not include tickets for the Opera itself. Please visit our website or contact our Box Office by phone at (941) 328-1300 to buy tickets to the performance.
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236
Join us for our annual Irish Celtic Festival! This event is filled with fun, laughter, delicious food, dancing, and more! You can enjoy: A variety of Irish-themed food, Irish beer and whiskey, Exciting stage performances, Kidz Korner, Lucky Dog Parade sponsored by Satchels Last Resort Animal Shelter/Sanctuary and 21+ Relay Race by MVP Sports and Social!
Greenbrook Adventure Park, 13010 Adventure Place Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202
This fine art show is free to the public and features over 150 works of art created by local artists
ranging from large- and small-scale original paintings, mixed media, photographs, sculptures, small
prints and beautiful notecards. There truly is something to satisfy everyone's taste and budget.
University Park Country Club Ballroom, 7671 The Park Blvd University Park, FL 34201
A Protestant minister returns from a mission abroad to be confronted by his wife's infidelity. Stiffelio faces his wife's transgression, battling his all-too human emotions with his religious faith. Written just before Rigoletto, this long neglected, emotionally charged work is now recognized as an important opera by the great Giuseppe Verdi.
Sarasota Opera, 61 N Pineapple Ave, 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
Toss some fun into your Thursday! Join us at Waterside Place for a fun morning of Casual Cornhole! Whether you’re a cornhole pro or a newbie, don’t miss this chance to show off your tossing skills and have a blast with friends! Grab a partner or go solo, we’ve got enough beanbags and boards to keep everyone entertained!
Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch, 7500 Island Cove Terrace Lakewood Ranch , FL 34240
SCFD is proud to welcome the community into the fire stations, continuing the tradition of open houses. These open houses are a wonderful opportunity for residents to engage directly with neighborhood firefighters. Visit our website to view the open house schedule.
Multiple Location, Multiple Locations
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
Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources is excited to announce the return of the popular sunrise beach walks.The walks will be held every Wednesday and Thursday at Siesta and Nokomis beaches. Walkers are asked to check in with staff before or after their walk between 8-9:30 a.m. Enjoy a fun and energizing start to the day with this community-favorite event. For just a one-time registration fee of $5, participants will receive a punch card and have an opportunity to receive an event T-shirt and gift from the Florida Department of Health.
Siesta and Nokomis Beaches, Various Locations
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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