Outreach 2022
The Haven Holiday Party
START brought a holiday party to the students at The Haven! One member brought his own equipment to provide holiday music throughout the event. The party began with a lunch of hotdogs, chips, water and homemade cookies served outside. Santa (a member of START) appeared with a gift for all students (contents donated by START members). With permission, each student posed for a photo with Santa. START also gifted a print of each photo to The Haven. When Santa’s bag was empty, the party was moved inside where students enjoyed their new corn hole game (made by members), a reindeer ring toss game and nail painting. The whole afternoon was a fun and memorable time.
South County Food Pantry Turkey Dinner Distribution
START members supported the Turkey Distribution. When an unexpected donation arrived, they immediately unloaded the car, sorted and weighed the items, and stocked the shelves with the new items.
Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County
The Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota County offered two unique opportunities for START to be involved. One was for a special one day event on November 15 that offered a classroom reading opportunity promoting kindness through “bucket filling” in early learning centers and pre-kindergarten through third grade classrooms. The second opportunity is the Literacy Buddy Program which is ongoing.
Reading to third graders
Reading to third graders
Good Samaritan Pharmacy and Health Services
START donated $500 to the Good Samaritan Pharmacy and Health Services in Nokomis and, with matching funds from the Louis and Gloria Flanzer Philanthropic Trust, the result was a $1,000 donation! This worthwhile nonprofit utilizes volunteer physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and patient advocates to provide free medication and medical services to uninsured members of our community to help positively affect their quality of life. A free walk-in clinic offers access to physicians who treat both chronic and acute medical conditions. The pharmacy dispenses free selected generic medications to pre-approved clients from an on-site pharmacy two days a week.
Family Promise Dream Walk
START members supported Family Promise of South Sarasota County with their 6th Annual Dream as volunteers helping with sign in and as walkers.
Haunted Halloween
Due to the damage Hurricane Ian caused to Oscar Scherer State Park, the park cancelled the annual Haunted Trails event hosted by the Osprey-Nokomis Chamber of Commerce (ONCC) this year. The ONCC was able to combine their event with the Monster Motor Madness Halloween Event already scheduled at Paradise Grill and START joined in the fun with two tables on October 29th. Families and kids enjoyed all of the trick or treat tables set up in the parking lot, and car enthusiasts also had some extra fun. The kids really enjoyed our Witches' Feeling table. There were raffle baskets and prizes, a 50/50 drawing and also a food drive for the South County Food Pantry. START received a $850 check from ONCC which was given to the Gulf Coast Community Foundation for hurricane relief which they will match with another $850!
Challenger Baseball
Despite Ian, Challenger Baseball was held October 8th and START members were there to support the players and provide food.
Kenducky Derby
On Saturday, August 20, START members started their day early by participating in Family Promise’s first annual Kenducky Derby. START volunteers manned the prize table while high school students in the water had the task of making sure the rubber duckies floated down the river! It was a very different and fun way to support this nonprofit organization.
Early Learning Coalition
START volunteers supported the Early Learning Coalition of South Sarasota County by helping one local preschool - "Le Bunnies" in Nokomis. Their immediate need was to do some organizing and deep cleaning of shelves and toys. These kind of tasks are a lot more fun in groups - much accomplished amidst the laughter!
Housing for 2022 aactWorld Fest
START was approached to help the Venice Theater find housing for their international guests who would participate in the 2022 aactWorld Fest where a group of international community theaters, selected by the American Association of Community Theaters, performed during the week of June 20th to June 26th. Several members welcomed the opportunity and housed actresses from Bangladesh and Italy.
Maria Boldrin and Marzia Tedeschi, along with two fellow actors from their theatre troupe
Shamima Tusty and Mashruba Musharraf
Maria Boldrin and Marzia Tedeschi, along with two fellow actors from their theatre troupe
Women’s Resource Center
START delivered clothing donated by its members to the the Women’s Resource Center (WRC). Members will continue to support WRC through an on-going clothing drive.
First delivery
First delivery
Challenger Baseball
START members had a fun afternoon at the Venice Challenger Baseball Complex. On April 16th, members were 'baseball buddies' helping to facilitate the players around the field, served as a cheering section and provided pizza and ice cream after the game.
The complex has two fields designed to handle all physical challenges.
The complex has two fields designed to handle all physical challenges.
Supporting Animal Rescue
Thanks to START, The Wildlife Center of Southwest Florida and Satchel’s Last Resort were able to get their shelves restocked! We collected hundreds of used towels, about 10 gallons of bleach, around 20 bottles of Dawn, 5 boxes of Brillo pads and 1 scrub brush for the Wildlife Center. We received about 50 sheets, approximately 20 fleece blankets, 10 gallons of bleach, around 20 bottles of Dawn, over 30 rolls of paper towels, one large dog crate, and several bags of dog toys and leashes for Satchel’ s Last Resort. Members volunteered to collect, temporarily store and drop off donations from the members.
