Fifth Third Bank is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its annual Giving Tree Toy Drive campaign. The Giving Tree Toy Drive program began Nov. 7 and will end on Dec. 3.

Each Fifth Third financial center will host a “Giving Tree” decorated with gift tags with specific information about the needs of a child in the community.

Donors may visit any local Fifth Third Bank financial center in South Florida to pick up a gift tag. Fifth Third is also making a gift that will support the Littles throughout various counties via gift cards for holiday meals, as well as directly supporting the mission with sponsorships.

Your donation of a gift or gift card will help make a difference and ensure a brighter holiday season for underserved youths in our community.

Donations may be dropped off at Fifth Third Bank offices in Charlotte, Sarasota, Manatee, Collier, Lee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

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Members of Impact100 SRQ, a group of local women philanthropists who are committed to funding high impact, sustainable initiatives, gathered Nov. 6 at their Annual Celebration & Award Ceremony to hear presentations from 10 nonprofit grant finalists that each had the opportunity to receive funding.

In 2022, the 663 members were able to fund six grants of $110,500 each, in keeping with the organization’s collective giving model of at least 100 women donating $1,000 each to fund grants of $100,000 minimum to local nonprofits.

The 2022 Impact100 SRQ grant recipients are:

• Florida West Coast Symphony Inc., dba Sarasota Orchestra.

Its initiative, Instruments for Sarasota Orchestra’s Educational Programs, will purchase 50 instruments and fund instrument repair and maintenance for the Sarasota Youth Orchestras, allowing more students to experience the benefits of music education without financial barriers to participation.

• Booker Promise Foundation

The Booker Promise Scholarship Program will fund 31 prepaid scholarships for a two-year associate degree at a Florida public college or technical school for Booker High School students, allowing students to pursue otherwise unattainable post-secondary education.

• Dreamers Academy

Dreamers Academy Biblioteca Tech Center will purchase 5,100 age- and language-appropriate books for this dual language school and will assist in the purchase of furniture that provides maximum literacy engagement for its library.

• Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast Inc.

Its initiative, Improve Land Saved for the Benefit of People and Nature, will purchase land management equipment and fund a partial salary for land steward for essential restoration and management of conservation land to benefit threatened wildlife, water quality and nature preservation.

• Senior Friendship Centers

FriendWorks: The Senior Safety Net will fund a new coordinator and direct client services to expand this support program designed to offer seniors financial support, nutrition support and connections to reduce isolation and loneliness, improving their physical and mental health.

• Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center Inc.

Its initiative, Domestic Violence Housing Stability Program, will provide financial housing support to domestic abuse survivors as a supplement to comprehensive support services they receive as they transition from abusive home to independence.

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Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded $10,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for gift cards for Sarasota County Littles & their families recovering from Hurricane Ian.

Many Little Brothers and Little Sisters and their families have suffered tremendous losses in the aftermath of the hurricane. The $10,000 grant will be used to provide gift cards for groceries, household needs and other essentials.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Giving Tree Toy Drive kicks off, women's group distributes grants