Description

Fall For Sarasota 2025

Uniting Business and Community Through Service

Fall for Sarasota is in its 4th year of bringing together the Sarasota Business Community and our Local Non-Profits.

Join us for Fall for Sarasota, a two-day initiative designed to strengthen the bond between Sarasota’s local businesses and the nonprofit community. Choose a project and make a difference in our community! Each of these opportunities is hosted by one of our nonprofit Chamber members, and pots are limited - sign up early to secure your place.

Our goal: 500 hours of community service in just two days!

Together, we’ll make a powerful impact—one volunteer hour at a time.

Event Schedule:

Kickoff Reception & T-Shirt Pick-Up

Greater Sarasota Chamber Boardroom

Wednesday, September 17 | Time Open from 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Network with fellow volunteers, pick up your event t-shirt, and get ready to serve!

Community Service Days

Thursday, September 18 & Friday, September 19

Volunteer across local nonprofit organizations and contribute your time to causes that matter.

Whether you’re representing a business, an individual volunteer, or a team, this is your chance to give back, connect, and Fall for Sarasota in a meaningful way.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available!

Support this initiative and be recognized as a champion for community engagement.

Let’s rally 500 hours of service—and show what Sarasota can do when we come together.

Fall for Sarasota Quick View Volunteer Projects:

• 🌿 Outdoor projects
• 🏠 Indoor projects 
• 💪 Physical projects

September 18 – Morning (9 AM–12 PM)

• 🌿💪 Save Our Seabirds – Gardening & Beautification
  Tend gardens, plant flowers, and refresh outdoor habitats for rescued seabirds.
• 🏠 Bridge a Life –   Stew Crew- making freezer meals for foster and adoptive families
  Cook and pack baked ziti meals for foster and adoptive families.
• 🏠 Meals on Wheels – Home Meal Program
  Pack and deliver meals to homebound neighbors.
• 🌿💪 Big Brothers Big Sisters – Rock and Roll
  Move rocks, clear swells, and replant in outdoor youth spaces.
• 🌿 The Bay Park – The Bay Park Beautification Three Years & Thriving 💪
  Weed, clean, and spruce up Sarasota’s waterfront park.
• 🏠 Creative Arts Academy – Organize Studio Conditions
  File and arrange music materials for a smooth-running studio.
• 🏠 Harbor 58 – Celebration Boxes for youth birthdays
  Assemble birthday kits for youth aging out of foster care.
• 🏠 Children First – Classroom Support
  Assist teachers with crafts, playtime, and activities for young learners.

September 18 – Afternoon (1 PM–4 PM)

• 🏠 JFCS – On the Move! 💪
  Pack and clean to prepare temporary offices during renovations.
• 🏠 The Sarasota Players – Shop Clean Up
  Organize costumes, props, and sets for the community theatre.
• 🏠 All Faiths Food Bank – Warehouse Food Sorting and Packing 💪
  Sort and pack donated food for local families.

September 19 – Morning (9 AM–12 PM / 9 AM - 2PM*)

• 🏠 Restored Image – Serve at The Remnant Cafe*
  Prepare and serve meals at a homeless outreach center.
• 🏠 Empath Health/Tidewell Hospice – Patient Comfort Item Creation
  Make blankets, pillows, and fidget mats for hospice patients.
• 🏠 EqualSRQ – Backpacks for Resilience: Emergency Kits with Heart
  Assemble emergency kits with essentials and notes of encouragement.
• 🏠💪 Star Lab – Refresh and Repaint
  Paint and brighten bathrooms for a welcoming school environment.

September 19 – Late Morning (10 AM–1 PM)

• 🏠 NAMI – Breaking Bread, Breaking Stigma
  Prepare and serve lunch at a mental health wellness center.

Details of the Projects:

Be part of a two-day community movement where Chamber members team up with local nonprofits to make a real difference! Pick the project that speaks to you and sign up for your shift — tools, instructions, and plenty of smiles are provided.

1. Save Our Seabirds – Gardening & Outdoor Beautification

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota

Join us for a morning of hands-on outdoor work to keep our sanctuary beautiful. After a guided tour, you’ll dive into weeding, raking, planting, and possibly light construction or painting (based on skills). Your work helps create a safe, serene environment for rescued seabirds.

Parking: Plenty of parking on site.

Dress Code: No specific requirements; recommend outdoor work clothes.

2. Bridge a Life – Stew Crew: Freezer Meals for Foster and Adoptive Families

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • Sarasota Christian Church 2923 Ashton Rd, Sarasota

Roll up your sleeves in a commercial kitchen to prepare and pack 20 baked ziti freezer meals for foster and adoptive families. Hair up, aprons on — and enjoy the teamwork! Your cooking will nourish families providing loving homes.

Parking: Park anywhere in lot; kitchen entrance is at back under drive-through overhang.

Dress Code: Hair tied back if long.

3. Meals on Wheels of Sarasota – Home-Delivered Meal Program

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • 421 N. Lime Ave, Sarasota

Help pack and prepare meals, then ride along for deliveries to homebound residents. Your smile and service bring food and friendship to neighbors who need it most.

Parking: Park next to the red church.

Dress Code: Comfortable clothing.

4. Restored Image – Serving at The Remnant Cafe

When: Fri, Sept 19 • 9 AM– 2 PM • 2895 Ashton Rd, Sarasota

Assist with preparing and serving breakfast and lunch at this homeless outreach center, while connecting with guests in meaningful conversation. We begin at 9:30am by preparing the food that will be served for breakfast and lunch that day. Next, we will serve breakfast from 10:30-11:30 and then serve lunch from 12:00-1:00. Our goal is to interact with our outdoor neighbors and engage them in meaningful conversations. We clean up from 1:00-2:00 and then our service is complete.This is a great opportunity for individuals from our community to serve others and to bless them with kindness, compassion and love.This is an indoor, air-conditioned facility that we will be serving in. 

Parking: Parking is on the east side of the building in the kitchen parking lot

Dress Code: Comfortable clothing

5. Big Brothers Big Sisters – Rock and Roll

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • 5731 Rosin Way, Sarasota

Get moving outdoors with tasks like clearing swells, relocating rocks, and replanting. Bring a wheelbarrow or rake if you have one! Your muscle helps create safer, more welcoming spaces for youth mentoring programs.

Parking: Overflow parking available in back of building.

Dress Code: Working outdoors in heat; hats, sun protection, and light breathable clothes recommended.

6. The Bay Park Conservancy – Three Years & Thriving Beautification

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • 701 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota

Help Get The Bay Ready for Our 3rd Anniversary Celebration! Join us as we prepare The Bay for our Three Years and Thriving Community Celebration!We’re calling all green thumbs—and anyone who enjoys working outdoors or doesn’t mind getting their hands a little dirty. Tasks will include weeding, trash pickup, and general beautification, so volunteers should be physically able to bend, stand, and move around comfortably.

Parking: Large lot in front of Van Wezel.

Dress Code: Dress for heat and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Bring your own reusable water bottle (help us stay green!) We’ll provide bottled water and snacks. Come help us make The Bay shine!

7. Creative Arts Academy – Organize Studio Conditions

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • United Presbyterian Church 6510 3rd Ave W, Bradenton

Help file and organize music documents into binders to keep our studio efficient and ready for students. Your attention to detail supports future creative learning.

Parking: Enter via blue awning on 2nd Avenue; use door code then take elevator to 2nd floor.

Dress Code: Come as you are.

8. Empath Health/Tidewell Hospice – Patient Comfort Items

When: Fri, Sept 19 • 9 AM–12 PM • 5955 Rand Blvd, Sarasota

Stuffing and sewing pillows, fidget mats, making no-sew blankets, and crochet fidgets to bring comfort to hospice patients. Your handmade items will warm hearts and ease difficult days.

Supplies and sewing machines will be provided

Dress Code: Comfortable Clothing

9. JFCS of the Suncoast – On the Move!

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 1 PM–4 PM • 1753 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota

Help clean, pack, and prepare temporary office space so JFCS can continue serving clients during renovations of JFCS' main office building. Your help ensures uninterrupted support for the community.

Parking: Enter in the back - the building is locked but someone will be posted there to meet you. Parking is available on the street and nearby.

Dress Code: Dress for cleaning and boxing up supplies

10. NAMI – Breaking Bread, Breaking Stigma

When: Fri, Sept 19 • 10 AM–1 PM • 240B S. Tuttle Ave, Sarasota

Join the kitchen crew to prepare, cook, and serve lunch (and, yes, clean up too) at YANA (You Are Not Alone) Wellness Drop-In Center in Sarasota for individuals living with mental illness. Guests visit YANA each day to connect socially, take part in group programs and activities, and gain skills to enhance their quality of life. NAMI welcomes nearly 8,000 drop-ins each year at its YANA centers in Sarasota and Venice, helping break the stigma of mental illness through peer-led support, education, and advocacy for youth, individuals, and families living with mental health conditions.

Parking: Parking is available on site, no permit required

Dress Code: Comfortable clothing and shoes that you are not afraid to get dirty while working in the kitchen

11. EqualSRQ – Backpacks for Resilience

When: Fri, Sept 19 • 9 AM–12 PM • 2035 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota

Step into the heart of recovery and disaster response. In this hands-on volunteer project, you’ll help assemble emergency preparedness backpacks designed specifically for individuals facing homelessness, substance use challenges, or mental health vulnerabilities. These kits go beyond basic survival—they’re rooted in empathy and inclusion.

Each backpack includes: • Water bottles and snacks• Personal hygiene items and weather protection• Narcan and overdose reversal guides• Flashlights, emergency contact cards, and a recovery support list• A handwritten note of encouragement—crafted by volunteers

Volunteers will also receive a brief orientation on EqualSRQ’s role as Florida’s first peer-led Red Cross Resiliency Hub.

Parking: Parking available onsite. Volunteers may enter through the side gate and check in at the outdoor welcome table

Dress Code: Comfortable, casual clothing

12. Harbor 58 – Celebration Boxes for Youth Birthdays

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • 5215 Lorraine Rd, Bradenton

Help us celebrate youth aging out of foster care by creating personalized birthday boxes filled with joy and encouragement! Many of the youth in our program have never had their birthday celebrated in a meaningful way. Volunteers will assemble birthday boxes that include party supplies, small gifts, treats, and handwritten notes to help our youth feel seen, valued, and celebrated.

Volunteer Tasks: • Assemble boxes with items like cake mix/frosting, candles, a small gift (journal, socks, gift card, etc.), decorations, and a personal birthday card • Pack boxes by age/gender preferences (guidance provided) • Decorate the outside of the box with stickers or notes of encouragement

Project Impact: These birthday boxes will be given to youth throughout the year as part of Harbor58’s commitment to restoring dignity and joy. A simple celebration can make a big difference for youth who have faced complex trauma, instability, and loss.

Parking: On-site.

Dress Code: No specific requirements

13. Star Lab – Refresh and Repaint

When: Fri, Sept 19 • 9 AM–12 PM • 2300 Central Ave, Sarasota

Star Lab is a brand-new school in a 10-year-old building. Grab a paintbrush and help give school bathrooms a bright new look. Your fresh coat of paint inspires pride in students and staff.

Parking: Pull into the parking lot off 22nd street and Central and you will see the small blue building with the blue playground.

Dress Code: Dess in clothes suitable for painting

14. Children First – Classroom Support

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 9 AM–12 PM • 1723 N. Orange Ave, Sarasota

Support our Head Start and Early Head Start teachers in their classroom by assisting with crafts and play time. Your time supports children’s growth during their most important learning years.

Parking: Please Park in the gravel lot on the right side of the building.

Dress Code: Comfortable clothing; closed-toe shoes required

15. The Sarasota Players – Shop Clean Up

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 1 PM–4 PM • 2169 10th Street, Sarasota

The Sarasota Players shop houses our costumes, set pieces, and props for our 96-year-old community theatre. Help organize costumes, props, and set pieces for our historic theatre. Your work keeps the magic of live theatre alive.

Parking: Open parking directly in front of shop/warehouse

Dress Code: No dress code - come as you are

16. All Faiths Food Bank – Warehouse Sorting & Packing

When: Thu, Sept 18 • 1 PM–4 PM • 8171 Blaikie Ct, Sarasota

Sort, inspect, and pack food donations for distribution to families in need. Your time helps fight hunger across our region.

Parking: Park in the main parking lot and enter the lobby

Dress Code: All volunteers must wear closed toe shoes to participate.