Each year, Suncoast Charities for Children partners with several area community organizations and businesses to further support our mission to serve children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families. These partnerships not only help support Suncoast Charities for Children, but also the entire community in which we live.
(Casey Gonzmart Jr, 5th Generation Owner of Columbia Restaurant Group)
During the entire month of September, the Columbia Restaurant Group holds their Community Harvest Program and donates 5% of all guests’ checks from each of the Columbia Restaurant locations, Cha Cha Coconuts, and other 1905 Family brand restaurants to various local charitable organizations selected by customers. Suncoast Charities for Children benefits from this annual promotion in the form of gift certificates each year. These gift certificates are utilized by the charity to thank volunteers and raise funds during special event raffles and auctions. Over the past 27 years, the Columbia Restaurant Community Harvest Program has donated more than $4.4 million to non-profit organizations throughout Florida.
The Sarasota Tarpon Tournament has been an annual event here in Sarasota since 1930. It is the oldest continuously running Tarpon Tournament in America and over the past 14 years has partnered with Suncoast Charities for Children donating over $140,500 to help children, teens, and adults with special needs.
John & Kristin Hokanson, owners of Fiorelli Winery & Vineyard, have been longtime supporters of Suncoast Charities for Children and our various fundraising events. Previously the local franchise owners of Sonny’s BBQ, the Hokanson’s became involved with Suncoast Charities by being major sponsors of our Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival for many years. In 2021, the Hokanson’s purchased FioRelli Winery & Vineyard and have continued to support our mission of serving special needs children, teens, and adults and their families. They have held multiple proceeds nights donating a portion of their sales back to the Charity while also donating products and certificated to benefit charity raffles and fundraisers.
