The Safe Children Coalition’s Achievers program recently honored graduates and awarded $23,500 in college scholarships to recent high school graduates as well as returning college students who were engaged with the program as teens.
A total of 20 scholarships, including 13 for continuing college students, were awarded. The program, featuring Achievers alum, stylist, educator, and entrepreneur Damienne Flagler as keynote speaker, took place at USF Sarasota-Manatee Selby Auditorium. Contributing to this year’s scholarship funding were Sarasota County and Publix Super Market Charities.
The Achievers program empowers at-risk, minority and other disadvantaged students to achieve goals in the areas of personal development, college preparation, community service and leadership, cultural enrichment, and career options. The program has served thousands of middle and high school students in Sarasota County for over 30 years.
Approximately 100 students participated in the Achievers program in 2024-25. For more about Safe Children Coalition and the Achievers program, visit sccfl.org.
The Senior Friendship Centers recently received a Community Foundation of Sarasota County grant through the Verna L. Grauel Fund to support The Caregiving Place.
The grant will help expand the Senior Friendship Centers’ Adult Day Services, which provides a safe and engaging environment for older adults, and strengthen the Caregiver Resource Center, which offers support, education, and respite for family caregivers. “This funding allows us to reach even more families in need, giving caregivers a sense of relief and reassurance that their loved ones are in good hands,” said Erin McLeod, president and CEO.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 800,000 family caregivers in Florida provide unpaid care to loved ones living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias. Many experience high levels of stress and burnout, making resources such as The Caregiving Place essential.
The grant will also fund increased services for caregivers who live with and care for someone with dementia or other frailties of aging. For questions or more information about The Caregiving Place, call 941-955-2122 or visit friendshipcenters.org.
The Safe Children Coalition is holding its annual Back-to-School Drive to fulfill school supply lists for nearly 500 children in foster care or prevention/diversion programs.
Anyone interested in supporting the effort should visit the organization’s Back-to-School Drive page (sccfl.org/back-to-school-drive) and follow the link to the participation form. Community members can download supply lists for grades K-5 and 6-12, and then shop to fulfill the supply list (or lists) of their choice.
Supporters can also use the form to schedule a dropoff of supplies during the week of July 7 to SCC’s Northgate location (1500 Independence Blvd., Suite 210, Sarasota). The deadline for dropoffs is July 11 (later donations will be gratefully accepted). For information, visit sccfl.org/back-to-school-drive or contact Stephanie Coachman at 941-315-3071 or scoachman@sccfl.org.
Selby Gardens will host its annual Fourth of July All-American Cookout on July 4 from 5:30-9:30 p.m. at its Downtown Sarasota campus.
All-American food favorites will be available for purchase from Michael’s on East Grill, Twisted Sugar Confectionary, and Kona Ice. The event includes family activities and games on the Great Lawn, special performances of Spheres Bubble Show by Blaise Ryndes, and a fireworks display.
For tickets, including all-inclusive pricing, and more information, visit selby.org/dsc/dsc-special-events/4th-of-july. Paid parking is available at the Morganroth Family Living Energy Access Facility (LEAF); offsite parking with complimentary trolley service at the Sarasota Art Museum.
· The Mall at University Town Center will host the the Red, White & Food Festival (July 3, 4-9 p.m.) and Suncoast Largest Food Truck Festival (July 5, 11 a.m-8 p.m.) during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Multiple food trucks/vendors and fireworks. floridapenguinproductions.com.
· The Music Compound in Sarasota (775 Bell Road) will welcome 15-year-old piano phenom River Eckert for a masterclass on July 17. Eckert has collaborated with several music legends and has performed at prestigious venues, including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. Registration: musiccompound.com/river-eckert-masterclass.
· The Stars Academy Scholarship Fund of Charlotte County is seeking community members to join a planning committee for Art Under the Stars, a new fundraising event. Art Under the Stars will feature a live art auction, interactive exhibits, and storytelling in support of early childhood education. Contact Kelly Hunter, director of marketing, at kelly.hunter@gulfcoastpartnership.org or 941-626-0220 (ext. 4).
Submissions by Sharon Kunkel, Jodel Velarde, Nancy Seijas-Kipnis, Elaine Rose Glickman, Brett Cecere, Sharon Kunkel, and Kelly Hunter.
