Two-time Pulitzer Prize novelist heads Library Foundation for Sarasota County fundraiser
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist heads library fundraiser
The Library Foundation for Sarasota County recently announced that award-winning author Colson Whitehead will be the featured speaker for their 12th annual Love Our Libraries Author Luncheon on Feb. 9 at Municipal Auditorium in Sarasota.
Whitehead is a New York Times bestselling author whose most recent novels include "Crook Manifesto" (2023) and "Harlem Shuffle" (2021). "The Underground Railroad" was awarded the 2016 National Book Award and the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. His New York Times bestseller "The Nickel Boys" won the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, making Whitehead the fourth author to win two Pulitzers in fiction.
The luncheon is the nonprofit Library Foundation’s signature fundraiser. To date, the annual event has raised more than $2 million to support Sarasota County public libraries. Since its founding in 2011, the Library Foundation also has secured more than $8 million in private funds for Sarasota’s libraries.
This event is made possible by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, Bookstore1 Sarasota, and multiple community partners. For sponsorship opportunities or to purchase tickets, visit sarasotalibraryfoundation.org or call 941-404-3139.
USF Sarasota-Manatee rebrands print/online campus magazine
The University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee unveiled Momentum magazine (formerly Research: USF Sarasota-Manatee) during its Brunch on the Bay fundraiser on Nov. 5.
The rebranded publication highlights innovative scholarship and research by faculty and students, community engagement efforts, and campus expansion projects. “I invite you to enjoy this magazine and the interesting work that these stories recognize,” Regional Chancellor Karen Holbrook said.
Available in print and online, Momentum features reporting on an array of projects and collaborations, including the Booker Literacy Project. Visit sarasotamanatee.usf.edu/magazine.
Fifth Third Bank joins Big Brothers, Big Sisters for children's toy drive
Fifth Third Bank is partnering with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast for its annual Giving Tree Toy Drive campaign.
Each Fifth Third financial center in Southwest Florida will sponsor a “Giving Tree” decorated with gift tags representing the wish of a child in the community. The Giving Tree Toy Drive program is underway now through on Dec. 1. “We hope to create awareness around supporting families in need during this holiday season,” region president Stephanie Green said.
Donations can be dropped off at any Fifth Third Bank, including branches in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties. To find a location, visit 53.com.
Temple Emanu-El's High Holiday Food Drive supports All Faiths
Temple Emanu-El’s annual High Holiday Food Drive produced 3,902 pounds of food and more than $56,000 in financial contributions for All Faiths Food Bank.
“The day after Yom Kippur, I went into the social hall and just stared at the mountain of food that our members brought. Every bag was one family being generous and sharing," Senior Rabbi Brenner Glickman said. The food drive was chaired by Bettianne Marcus and Lisa Phifer.
Following Rosh Hashanah services, volunteers hand out paper bags that contain a list of foods most needed by All Faiths Food Bank; worshippers then return to the synagogue on Yom Kippur with donations. “It is our privilege to fast for one day each year. For some people it is not a choice," Glickman said.
Around and about
The Tzeva restaurant inside the Art Ovation Hotel, 1255 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota, will donate 20% of dinner and lunch proceeds on Nov. 20 to Children of Fallen Soldiers as part of its Tzeva For Sarasota initiative. The campaign will spotlight a local charitable group on the third Monday of each month and donate 20% of proceeds.
· Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, 1100 S. McCall Road (Route 776) in the Gulf Cove area of Port Charlotte will serve a free sit-down Thanksgiving dinner on Nov. 23 from noon-3 p.m. Guests may also come inside and ask for carryout. For homebound residents who live within 10 miles of the church, call the church at 941-697-1747 by noon on Tuesday to request delivery.
· The 10th annual Sarasota Fall Fine Art Festival is today and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at JD Hamel Park. The festival will showcase local, regional and national artisans with an array of arts, including painting, sculpture, jewelry, photography, glass, ceramics, wearable art, mixed-media, and woodworking. Info: paragonfestivals.com.
· The Lemon Bay Garden Club, 480 Yale St., Englewood, is hosting its 2023 Garden Tour & Fair today from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring a plant sale, handcrafted crafts and a gift basket raffle. Proceeds support college scholarships, youth programs, and community projects. Tickets and info: lemonbaygardenclub.com, 941-474-9068.
Submissions by Kate Quinones, Kate Schwartz , Marc Masferrer, Brittni Brown-Cooper, Elaine Rose Glickman, Dee Montgomery, Dana Hanson, Shawn Ahearn, Hillary Reynolds, Susan Killion, Samira Easton.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Award-winning author Colson Whitehead heads Sarasota libraries fundraiser
