Season of Sharing 25 years of neighbors helping neighbors

Editor's Note: This story was originally published by the Herald-Tribune and comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County. 

As we navigate the historic aftermath of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, with images of destruction as a new part of the local landscape, it can be easy to overlook the less visible ripples of disaster. While most of us think about roof damage or downed tree limbs, many of our neighbors face more subtle challenges: lost wages, unexpected child care costs, or vehicles damaged by floodwater. 

These disasters have come on top of a housing and childcare crisis that already puts many families in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and DeSoto counties on the economic edge, where disruptions can quickly spiral into financial crises. 

This is where Season of Sharing shines, providing a time-tested and trusted safety net to help those who face serious economic peril. For 25 years, whether it’s a personal crisis or the aftermath of a storm that impacts our neighbors’ ability to make ends meet, Season of Sharing has been there to offer much-needed support.

Covering the expense of housing, utilities, car repairs, and childcare, this assistance helps people avoid crippling economic calamities, making it possible to regain their footing. You can help provide relief by making a donation to Season of Sharing. 

The unprecedented effects of three major storms have inspired major donors to step up and fortify the Season of Sharing fund, recognizing that its reliability and flexibility make it effective at providing emergency relief.

The Patterson Foundation generously donated $1 million on top of its annual match of $100,000 for every $500,000 raised. The Brian and Sheila Jellison Family Foundation provided another $500,000 in matching funds, and the Baltimore Orioles donated $250,000, with another $250,000 in matching funds. The Bishop-Parker Foundation contributed $100,000 to offer a lifeline to the hard-hit residents of Manatee County.

These generous donations are a testament to the trust that Season of Sharing has generated in the philanthropic world. But the backbone of Season of Sharing has always been the extraordinary generosity of neighbors helping neighbors in our community. Thousands of donations come in every year from residents who want to pitch in and help out.  

It may seem like making such a profound difference in someone’s life is out of reach, but it’s easy to give to Season of Sharing. In fact, over time, more than 60,000 gifts have been made, donation by donation, raising more than $42.5 million to help more than 50,000 individuals and families recover from setbacks with dignity.

These are big numbers, but imagine what it means for just one family to receive the gift of time to get back on their feet, the profound gift of knowing their neighbors care. Season of Sharing makes an enormous community impact, one person and one family at a time. 

Every donation, no matter the size, plays a role in lifting someone up when they need it most. Every donation is a step toward keeping our community strong, resilient, and capable of weathering whatever storms lie ahead. 

From now until Jan. 31, 2025, you’ll get to know more about Season of Sharing and the people it helps through Herald-Tribune stories and messages from the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, which administers the year-round effort free of charge so that 100% of every donation goes directly to help those in need.  

Since it started 25 years ago, every donation to Season of Sharing has brightened the futures of families and individuals in our community, providing the assurance that comes when people know their neighbors care. You, too, can give the gift of hope with your contribution to Season of Sharing. 

How to help 
You can donate to Season of Sharing by going to cfsarasota.org or calling 941-556-2399. You can also mail a check to Season of Sharing, Community Foundation of Sarasota County, 2635 Fruitville Road, Sarasota, FL 34237. Look for mail-in donation cards in the pages of this paper.