Nonprofit Wish List: Help Local Organizations Meet their Philanthropic Missions

December 2023—It’s the season of giving and that’s what Sarasotans do best! Local nonprofits share ways you can help make dreams come true for those who need it most.

All Faiths Food Bank

Turning empty plates into ThankFULL hearts this holiday season

The immense challenges of the past few years—runaway costs of essentials such as rent, food and gas, Covid and hurricanes – have hit those who were already struggling hard, while new families have learned what it’s like to experience hunger.

As the holidays approach, most of us are looking forward to enjoying time off with friends and family and gathering for sumptuous meals together. Unfortunately, for many of our neighbors, there is the likelihood that they will be facing empty plates. 

For many years, All Faiths Food Bank has worked diligently —with generous community support—to turn empty plates into ThankFULL tummies and hearts. But it requires our collective attention and compassion; we can’t do it without YOU.

With a gift to All Faiths Food Bank’s ThankFULL campaign, you make it possible for our neighbors to enjoy a festive holiday celebration, complete with a healthy, delicious meal. This year, our goal is to distribute more than 13,000 turkeys and sides, and a total of 3.6 million holiday meals.

You can share the joys of the season with those who have been impacted by economic challenges. Hunger heroes can make a difference by:

• Making a donation designated to All Faiths’ ThankFULL campaign, helping to turn empty plates into ThankFULL tummies and hearts. Donate at allfaithsfoodbank.org.
• Supporting/attending All Faiths Food Bank’s Bowls of Hope event (December 3 at Ed Smith Stadium).
• Hosting a virtual fundraiser (learn more at allfaithsfoodbank.org/host-a-food-and-fund-drive/ and encouraging friends, family, co-workers and neighbors to give.

Let’s ensure that everyone can be ThankFULL during the holidays this year!

The Sarasota Players

To entertain, educate and engage the community through high-quality live theatre.

The Sarasota Players has shows and opportunities for the entire community. From family-friendly musicals to edgy plays and everything in between, there’s entertainment and education for all at Sarasota’s first performing arts organization. Celebrating 94 years of producing live theatre, The Players is proud to offer those who love the theatrical arts a place to call home.  

The Players Studio offers arts instruction in dancing, singing and acting for individuals of all ages and abilities. Thanks to the Building Better Grownups Scholarship fund no person is ever turned away for their inability to pay. This season, please consider donating to this scholarship to assist The Players in providing life-changing training to any student in our community that has the urge to perform and grow through the performing arts. Scholarships cover class tuition, performance group tuition, costumes and so much more. You can’t put a price tag on an amazing educational and creative experience.   

Additionally, The Sarasota Players has embarked on a journey for a new home that will also provide the community with a new venue where organizations across the area can host events. In the coming months you’ll see more information about The Stage at Payne Park and all the good it will do for residents and visitors to Sarasota. Please consider donating when the time is right, not only for us but for all those in the community that want a place to perform, to host events and to gather.  

Learn more at theplayers.org or call 941.365.2494.

All Star Children’s Foundation

Building brighter futures for children in foster care through innovation, science, and compassion.

All Star Children’s Foundation is transforming foster care through innovation, science, and compassion.

Representing over 35 years of commitment to child advocacy, Graci McGillicuddy established the Campus of Hope & Healing – a place where healing occurs, hope is restored, and spirits are renewed.

At All Star, we envision a world in which our most vulnerable children are safe, valued, and empowered; a world where they have access to valuable resources on their journey to overcoming the impact of adversity and trauma.

We have built an idyllic campus of 6 foster homes where licensed out-of-home foster parents live full time. At the hub of our campus is a state-of-the-art Pediatric Mental Health Treatment and Research Center that houses a multidisciplinary team of professionals that are raising the bar for children placed in foster care to help them heal from life’s traumas.

Learn more at allstarchildren.org.

Wish List for Campus: 

• Arts and Crafts supplies
• Sensory toys – fidget toys
• Razor scooters
• Utility Wagons
• Bike Helmets (all ages)
• Nintendo Switch for the Clubhouse and games
• Lego Sets
• Ladders – 20 ft extension ladders for our campus
• Gift Cards (Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Container Outlet, Kohl’s, Old Navy, Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot/Lowe’s, grocery/restaurant gift cards, gas, gift cards for theme parks, Chewy.com)
• Donations to our end-of-year campaign

Designing Women Boutique 

Where fashion meets philanthropy

Designing Women Boutique opened in 2002 as a non-profit consignment shop supporting the Sarasota arts community. Through the success of the store along with sponsorships and fundraising, they have given $8 million in grants and merchandise to over 100 community arts and human service organizations.

The boutique has become a premier shopping destination, and asks for high-end fashion, jewelry, fine art and home goods. Clothing and accessory selections continually change, and shoppers love to stop in to browse the sophisticated and sleek evening gowns, designer shoes, cocktail attire as well as quality attire for many other occasions, casual and formal. Often, designer styles are available in a range of sizes. Learn more at designingwomensrq.org.

Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC)

Providing a safe haven and promoting empowerment, awareness, and social change to end domestic and sexual violence.

This holiday season please join Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC) and help make the spirit of giving shine bright for those in need. Your participation ignites a sense of hope, joy and optimism that makes this time of year special for survivors and their children in our community.

• Year-End Giving: The holidays can be especially difficult for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. This year, please consider making a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve with a year-end contribution. Every dollar goes directly toward the free, wrap-around programs and services that SPARCC provides. Your gift of support will help survivors and their children move forward on their journey of healing.
• Bringing Joy to Small Survivors: Each year SPARCC creates a seasonal wish list for our “Holiday Toy Store,” where survivors can shop, free of charge, for new toys for their children. Providing gifts for families in crisis goes far beyond meeting a tangible need—it brings hope and joy during a very challenging time. Your gifts of toys, art supplies, gift cards and more helps brighten the holidays for children, and teens, of all ages.
• Support for Emergency Shelter: SPARCC provides emergency shelter and basic necessities for survivors, their children, and their pets, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. When survivors of domestic violence seek safety, they often do so with nothing more than the clothes on their back. Your donations of household supplies, non-perishable food items, new children’s clothing, new hygiene items, and gift cards play a vital role in ensuring that survivors have essentials during their time of transition and healing.

To learn more about SPARCC and how you can make a gift, visit www.SPARCC.net. Together, we can inspire hope, empower those in need and brighten lives this holiday season and beyond.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties

Our mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.

Ring in the new year with impact! As we approach a new year, it’s hard not to reflect on the past year and wonder what remarkable discoveries and achievements are awaiting Club members in the year to come.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, youth write their stories to build a greater, brighter future. We are committed to empowering youth to succeed academically while using their voices and talents to inspire change in their community. Our Clubs develop the leaders of tomorrow, by supporting the unique characters and strengths of each Club member today. 

In this collective endeavor, it is you – our dedicated community partners and individuals, who help write, shape, and amplify those youth voices. You are the ones who empower the dreams of the next generation of youth leaders.  

Your investment today will support year-round programs and services designed for one purpose: Positive Impact. Positive impact not only encourages and inspires, but also challenges Club members to craft their own narratives of success.

The youth we serve at Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties are at the heart of everything we do and it’s the threads of their journeys that weave our collective story. So, whether you choose to close out 2023 or kick off 2024, we invite you to invest in the Club and ensure incredible stories continue to be written here; year in and year out. Together, we can make an impact on those chapters yet to be written. 

Wish List:

• Scholarship Support for a child to obtain a Boys & Girls Clubs membership
• Support for programs in Character and Leadership Development, Academic Success, College & Career Exploration, and Health and Life Skills
• Funds for curriculum supplies for teens in leadership, service learning, entrepreneurism, and college and career prep programs

Learn more at bgcsdc.org or call 941.366.3911.

Senior Friendship Centers

The power of connection.

In Sarasota County, more than 40,000 seniors, or about 23% of the population, live alone. The mission of Senior Friendship Centers is to build vibrant communities by advancing wellness, connection, and enrichment throughout the journey of aging. We provide services such as home delivered meals, dining centers, caregiving resources, adult day services, exercise classes, lifelong learning, economic assistance, and socialization.

Our vision for Southwest Florida is for people to feel supported and included at any age. Each of our communities will have a well-known hub and network of resources to help older adults not just survive but thrive! Seniors will be seen as vital contributors to community life and have connections that ensure they never need to “go it alone.” 

Wish List:

• 3 – 75” Wall Mountable Smart 4K LED Smart TV with HDR for our Adult Day Care Centers clients.   
• 2 – Philips HeartStart FRx Defibrillator with Carrying Case for our Adult Day Care Centers.
• $900 – Will purchase 6 Annual Memberships Scholarships to Senior Friendship Senior Activity Centers

Learn more at friendshipcenters.org or call 941.955.2122

Cat Depot

Our mission is to save lives, find loving homes, and provide the resources and education needed to improve the density of homeless cats.

Cat Depot, a non-profit, free-roaming adoption center, and rescue, is recognized for its progressive design and commitment to helping homeless, abandoned and injured animals. Learn more at catdepot.org.

Wish List:

• Friskies Wet Food for Shelter Cats
• Wet & Dry Cat Food (Any Brand) for Community Food Bank
• Royal Canin Mother & Baby Cat Wet & Dry Food 
• KMR – Kitten Milk Replacer 
• New & Slightly Used Cat Trees, Any Size
• Slightly Used Cat-Themed Items, Supplies, & Collectibles for Resale in Our Onsite Retail Store
• Gift Certificates to Amazon and/or Chewy, Any Denomination 
• Items to be Auctioned in Our Upcoming 20th Anniversary Celebration’s Silent Auction in March 2024
• Monetary Donations
• Volunteers & Fosters

Sarasota Garden Club (SGC)

Preserving our gardens and our historic landmarks while promoting the environment, conservation, and civic beautification through education and programs.

The history of the Sarasota Garden Club began on May 6, 1927 with Mrs. John Ringling as first President. After many years of planning and saving, the Garden center was built in 1959 on land leased from the City of Sarasota referred to as the Civic Center (Cultural District).  It is now on The Bay Park on the corner of Blvd. of the Arts and 41.  

In 1937, SGC members work alongside Works Progress Administration to develop Bayfront Park and the Municipal Auditorium. In 1939 Japanese Lantern, gifted by Ralph and Ellen Caples in 1939.  (Restored in 2014). In 1955, the City of Sarasota approved plans by Architect John Crowell, for SGC to build on City owned land between 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts, 1131 Blvd. of the Arts

Volunteers garden every Friday morning from 8am-11am.  The neighboring condos are always welcome.  Just show up and Key Weber or Carolyn Michielsen will put you to work.

Wish List:

• Funds for Scholarships
• Support Sarasota Children’s Garden
• Florida Coral Reef Project
• Outreach Programs; Educational Program
• Maintain the Secret Garden at the Ringling Museum
• Volunteers Needed.

The next events are Holiday In The Gardens, Dec. 3, 2023 and Gardens In Paradise Tour, Mar. 23, 2024.  Please go online SarasotaGardenClub.org to purchase tickets.

Catholic Charities

Providing Help, Creating Hope, Serving All

In devotion and adherence to the teachings of Jesus and the Catholic Church, Catholic Charities stands committed to serving and empowering ALL in need, regardless of race, nationality, or religion. Our mission is grounded in the principles of compassion and love with the goal of fostering optimism and easing hardship within our local communities. We remain committed to providing assistance and supplying essential necessities to those who seek our help, recognizing the importance of these items that we often overlook because a seemingly basic item that we use every day can become the most cherished blessing in a person’s life after a long period of hardship.

Catholic Charities Wish List:

• Socks: Socks are often overlooked items for those experiencing homelessness or instability. Your donation of new socks will provide warmth and comfort to those in need.
• Diapers: Struggling to make ends meet, families often find it difficult to afford diapers. Your donation of diapers will provide much-needed relief to parents and their infants.
• Various Sizes of Slip-On Shoes (Men/Women/Kids): Many homeless individuals come to us with shoes that are worn out or inadequate for their needs. New slip-on shoes in various sizes will help them stay comfortable and mobile.
• T-Shirts (Various Sizes for Men/Women/Kids): Clean clothes are a basic necessity. Your contribution of new t-shirts in various sizes will help individuals and families.
• Basic Hygiene Supplies: Toothpaste, deodorant, wipes, toothbrushes, shampoo, and feminine products are essential for personal health and well-being. 
• New Blankets, Pillows, Household Supplies: For individuals starting over with nothing, your support can make a house feel like a home. New blankets, pillows, and household supplies like flatware, dishes, cleaning supplies, twin sheet sets, and baby-proofing items.

Your generosity will make a profound impact on the lives of those we serve. Together, we can continue to provide help, create hope, and serve all, embodying the spirit of love and charity. To learn more about our programs and services, visit www.catholiccharitiesdov.org, to make a direct donation, scan the code or click donate on our website.

Mothers Helping Mothers

An all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization committed to supporting families in need and fostering resiliency, self-sufficiency, and family stability in our community.

“Mothers in need come to our store to get help for themselves and to help their children thrive. Your donations make this possible. In addition to the most basic items, we also need monetary donations. Our partner, Flanzer Trust, will match donations up to $500 per month to support our programs.  Below are some items you can purchase on Amazon that would make a difference to so many families.” – Cheri DeVries, Executive Director

Wish List For Children:

• Newborn Baby Bottles (0 to 4 months)
• Enfamil Gentlease Baby Formula and Infant Formula
• Multipacks of Boys and Girls Cotton Underwear & Socks
• Portable Baby Swings for 0 to 9 months
• Hands-Free Breast Pumps
• Infant & Toddler Strollers 
• Newborn and Child Front Facing Carriers
• Diapers and Baby Wipes
• Infant and Toddler Car Seats
• Baby Cribs & Beds
• Highchairs and Activity Walkers

Wish List For Mothers:

• Kitchen in a Box 83-Piece Combo Set
• Towel and Washcloth Sets 
• Nonstick Cookware Sets & Cooking Utensils
• 20-Piece Flatware in Tray 

For Mothers Helping Mothers complete wish list on Amazon, please visit www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/A7BH2JD68BGR/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

Donations may be made by appointment at 5933 N Washington Blvd., Sarasota.  941.953.7572

Children First

Children First’s mission is to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being.

As Sarasota County’s exclusive provider of Head Start and Early Head Start services, Children First offers high-quality, comprehensive services annually to hundreds of at-risk children and families at multiple locations across Sarasota, Venice, and North Port.

The education, care, and family strengthening services we offer ensure a healthy and strong foundation for success. Through Children First, children receive the social and cognitive skills needed to enter kindergarten on track, nutritious meals, and comprehensive services to support their development. 

Family well-being is a cornerstone of our work, and all families work one-on-one with a Family Advocate in setting and meeting financial, educational, and occupational goals. Advocates provide the support, encouragement, and resources families need to achieve self-sufficiency. 

We are excited to announce a $600,000 matching gift challenge led by our Changemaker Collective! 

The Changemaker Collective is an initiative for leaders who go above and beyond in serving our community and wish to make an investment in the tools children and families need to reach their full potential. All collective support will be matched 1:1 with the goal to raise $1.2MM.

The key philanthropists comprising the Collective include: Anonymous, Keith Monda & Veronica Brady, the Jean Delynn Foundation in honor of Elenor Maxheim, Dawn & Mitchell Epstein, Lisa & John Giglio, Stephanie & Allen Hochfelder, Brock & Julie Leach, Joan & Dr. Bart Levenson, Elenor Maxheim, the Jerome & Mildred Paddock Foundation, Linda Rhault, Gaye & Jack Schwarz, Karen Solem, Joe & Nora Stephan, and the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation.

We are grateful for your philanthropy that provides what every child and family deserve – access to the services they need to thrive and opportunities for success! Learn more at childrenfirst.net.

JoshProvides

Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those living with epilepsy or other seizure disorders.

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that can strike anyone, anytime, anywhere. In fact, 1 in 26 people will have a seizure during their lifetime. Seizures impact both the individual and the family. The stigma and social isolation; the uncertainty of when the next seizure might occur; and the fear of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy) are the frightening realities for many families in our community. JoshProvides pulls back the curtain on epilepsy, the fourth most common neurological disorder, through community awareness, education and providing seizure detection and alert devices, transportation assistance for those individuals prohibited from driving until they are six-months seizure free, and assistance with medical services to children, families, and individuals. Our families are NOT defined by their disorder…they are purple warriors who will overcome these obstacles thanks to your support.

Wish List:

• $250 will purchase an Embrace2 Seizure Alert Watch for a child so they can attend school and give parents the peace of mind knowing that if their child experiences a seizure, they will be notified.
• $300 will purchase an UBER Card so that individuals prohibited from driving until they are six-months seizure free can get to medical appointments for testing, evaluation, treatment, and anti-seizure medication.
• $500 will purchase an EpiUSA Emfit Movement Monitor for infants and children who experience nocturnal seizures. The Emfit Movement Monitor is placed under the mattress and will sound an alarm when the child has a seizure, notifying their parents that they are in distress and need assistance.

Learn more at JoshProvides.org.

The Circus Arts

Our mission is to engage and educate students using unique and innovative learning programs; to measurably improve the quality of life for individuals in care communities; and to advance the extraordinary legacy and heritage of the circus.

Through innovative programs, The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) has an incredible impact within our community and beyond. Through world-class performances, excellence in youth training and educational outreach, The CAC inspires a passion for the performing arts while offering quality opportunities to learn life skills as well as entertain appreciative audiences.

The Sailor Circus Academy has transformed the lives of youth in our community for more than seven decades. As they train in the circus arts, young people of differing abilities and backgrounds connect, learning the value of collaboration, teamwork, trust, respect and leadership.

Our Arts-Integrated Education Outreach programs—especially the Marvelous, Miraculous Circus Machine— reach thousands of students in classrooms all across Sarasota and Manatee counties, teaching science principles like Newton’s Laws, improving test scores and engaging young minds.  

The CAC always strives to find new ways to welcome our community, both in our programming and our performance spaces. As we close out the year, construction continues on a newly redesigned main entrance to the Sailor Circus Arena. 

This safe, monitored, ADA-compliant site will improve access to all our shows, classes and camps, and as well as access to school buses for class trips. In addition to a new box office, the well-lit, sound-enhanced outdoor plaza and covered entrance will provide space for audiences to gather before and after performances.

To be a part of the exciting growth at The CAC, please contact Zoltan Karpathy, Vice-President of Philanthropy at Zoltan@CircusArts.org, or visit circusarts.org to learn more.

Easterseals Southwest Florida

We provide exceptional services for persons with disabilities and their families across a lifetime by empowering individuals to live their lives to the fullest.

Easterseals Southwest Florida excels in innovating, seeking creative solutions and anticipating the changing needs of those we serve. This commitment to quality and support has led to the creation of a range of beneficial programs and services designed to make a tangible and positive impact for the clients and students living with disabilities. From early child development, autism, family support and veteran services to artistic expression, therapeutic, diagnostic, and educational delivery, we offer a variety of ways to help people with disabilities and their families address life’s challenges, achieve personal goals, and feel included and valued in everything they do. 

With your donation, you too can offer help and hope to individuals, children, and families living with a disability. For your convenience, Easterseals Southwest Florida offers three ways to show your support. Annual giving allows you to contribute throughout the year as you like, giving you the power to immediately impact the life of someone in need of support. Capital investments help fund the growing structural needs of the campus to continue delivering their life-changing services to clients and community that deserve no less than the best. And legacy giving, which ensures donors will be remembered for their generosity and commitment to Easterseals Southwest Florida long after they are gone.

Learn more about Easterseals or make a donation at easterseals-swfl.org/support-us/donate-today/or send an email to donate@easterseals-swfl.org  

The Florida Center for Early Childhood

Our mission is to help build and foster strong families and expand the potential of young children.

LEAP Into Action and Make a Difference in a Child’s Life! By investing in early childhood education and interventions, we can make a significant difference in the lives of young children facing delays, disabilities, or mental health challenges.

The Florida Center recently launched the “LEAP” (Learning through Exploration, Activity, and Play) campaign, with a goal to raise $500,000 to provide crucial support to young children and their families. The campaign’s focus is on enhancing the development and wellbeing of young children, particularly those with developmental delays, disabilities, or mental health challenges. 

What does LEAP stand for?

LEARNING in the early years is key to future success. The brain develops more in the first five years than at any other time in life, so it is imperative that children receive high-quality early education and mental health support.

EXPLORATION is necessary for a child to gain understanding of the world around them. They need a safe, secure environment in which to test their physical and emotional abilities. Through experiential learning, children express their curiosity and gain independence.

ACTIVITY is a critical component of early childhood development. Through specific movements and tasks, children learn to manage their bodies, gain fine and gross motor skills, and regulate emotions.

PLAY is what childhood is all about! The outdoor play space is an environment where children learn social skills, such as taking turns, teamwork, and friendship. They also strengthen their bodies, gaining balance and impulse control.

The Florida Center invites individuals, organizations, and businesses to support the LEAP campaign and positively impact the lives of children and families in the community. Every donation, no matter the size, will help create a brighter future for vulnerable children. To make a donation or learn more about the LEAP campaign, please visit www.thefloridacenter.org. Together, we can help children LEAP ahead to reach their full potential.

Wish List: 

• Curriculum, program needs and instructor training
• Technology and teaching tools
• Classroom furnishings and playground equipment

Learn more at www.thefloridacenter.org.

Forty Carrots Family Center

To nurture healthy child and family development through research-based, relationship-centered education and mental health services.

Forty Carrots’ wish is that every child experiences a childhood that is emotionally and physically safe and filled with nurturing relationships and positive learning experiences.  You can help make our wish come true by supporting the educational, mental health, and parenting education programs at Forty Carrots.

Each year our family-centered programs impact the lives of 6,000 clients, 96% of whom receive services free of charge.  Your donation ensures every family receives the skills, support, and resources needed to strengthen their family. Thank you for partnering with us to improve the lives of local families.

Donate now at www.fortycarrots.com/make-difference/donate-online or learn more about our Generations of Change Expansion Campaign at www.fortycarrots.com/expansion.