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Outreach 2024
Early Learning Coalition
Within one day after our flyer went out, all nine volunteer slots were filled to help with the ELC Sticker Project!! Our team attached ELC stickers to 8,000 books that will be distributed to the parents of ELC students to help build their reading appreciation.
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State College of Florida
To support the State College of Florida, START volunteers helped with the Maverick’s Backpacks & Brunch on July 27th. Members filled backpacks with school supplies and hygiene products and passed them out to prospective students. Families who attend register each child and secure an assigned time slot to pickup their backpack, enjoy
the brunch, and have a brief tour of the campus.
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Special Olympics
START members helped with the Special Olympics Area 7 Swim Competition held in Selby Aquatic Center
Survival Kit Assembly Project
The South County Food Pantry was recently awarded a grant by the Junior League of Sarasota to supply survival kits for the homeless. START members helped fill forty backpacks with shampoo, deodorant, razors, shaving cream, soap, bombas socks, sunscreen, and mosquito repellent, which is especially appreciated by the ‘camper’ recipients given the extreme heat that we have been experiencing.
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Bags for Kids
START members filled 175 backpacks to support the South County Food Pantry's 'Bags for Kids' program that helps children who are living with food insecurity over the summer month.
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Blue Butterfly Spring Project
START participated in the Blue Butterfly Spring Project which is the part of Tidewell Hospice Grief Care that specifically provides support for children and teens who have experienced the loss of a loved one. A sponsor or caregiver was identified for each of the 85 children in the program, which could be a Mother, Father, Grandpa, or Aunt, etc. Because these children are not all able to shop themselves, START provided a gift for each of the children to give to their caregiver for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. Our committee completed the shopping on April 22 and delivered the gifts in early May.
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Early Learning Coalition
On April 23, the Early Learning Coalition (ELC) hosted a special VIP party for the families of kids entering kindergarten at Sarasota public and charter schools next year. What fun!
Families moved from table to table, participating in each fun activity and meeting kindergarten. There was even a free ‘Future Kindergartner’ photo booth, complete with props for families to have some fun together posing for family photos that they took home.
Six START volunteers, joined in the fun by helping with setup, greeting at the door, helping at the activity tables, and serving food.
Our volunteers can have fun
Our volunteers can have fun
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Venice Sharks Tooth Festival
START was able to support Venice Mainstreet on both days of the Venice Sharks Tooth Festival. Members served as greeters and helped in the food tent.
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Evening Under the Stars
On April 6th, over 20 START members volunteered for the Evening Under the Stars with the Pops Orchestra and sponsored by the State College of Florida Foundation. Members helped with setup, with registration, at the ticket tables, and with the silent and live auctions. Some brought chairs to enjoy the concert after completing their duties.
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Pregnancy Solutions
START members enjoyed helping with Pregnancy Solutions Walk for Life at Maxine Barrett Park. Our volunteers handled the registration and helped with food service/refreshments table.
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Pops Orchestra
START members volunteered to be ushers for the Pops Orchestra in February and March. The volunteers greeted the attendees, handed them a program and guided them to their seats. A bonus was getting to enjoy the excellent performances.
Challenger Baseball
The 'Baseball Buddies' from START had another fun morning supporting Challenger Baseball on February 17th. Members helped the players and START provided pizza after the game.
Baseball Buddies
Leading the Pledge of Allegiants
Pizza Time
Baseball Buddies
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Venice Area Chamber of Commerce
On January 19th, START participated for the second time in the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Non-Profit Rally. It is such a great way to meet potential members, explain START's mission and learn about other nonprofits.
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Windjammers Circus Band Free Concert
On January 13th, START volunteers helped set up/take down the chairs used by the band musicians at the Windjammers Circus Band Free Concert held at the Venice Historic Train Station. The event was sponsored by the Venice Area Historical Society (VAHS).
The Twig
START's holiday project was to help The TWIG to restock their shelves with sneakers. The sneakers donated by our members were delivered to The TWIG on January 10th.
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