WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Harrisonburg, Virginia, 1987. Tim Milligan attended his first Rotary meeting at another member’s invitation. At a time when clubs limited membership by profession, he didn’t take the invitation lightly.

Louisville, Kentucky, 1997. A man stopped by the Salvation Army office where Tom Richmond served as a lieutenant. “Have you ever been a member of Rotary?” he asked. Tom hadn’t, so the man described its …

WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Children with undetected vision problems often struggle academically, athletically, and personally.  

While you let that sink in, meet Dr. Michael and Sarah Mackie, with Eye Center Inc., and the founders of The Vision Foundation.  

Michael is a native of Manatee County, and both his parents were educators in the Manatee School District. Both Michael and Sarah were very active in the community throughout their young …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Suncoast Credit Union Foundation

When was the last time you held a penny? As a child, thrilled to spot that flash of copper on the ground? Or maybe you were sorting through a handful of change from a cashier (and remembered why you usually use a card). Perhaps you dropped the pennies into a tip jar, glad not to weigh down your wallet. 

Pennies don‘…

WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

What began over 85 years ago as an organization to boost morale and promote Spanish heritage is now a thriving society of generous members raising funds, spirits, and fellowship for our entire community.

The Hernando de Soto Historical Society (HDHS) brings together a dedicated group of volunteers from across our community. Through more than 20 committees, members contribute hundreds of hours to plan and produce …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Oysters Rock Hospitality is known for its delicious seafood and coastal vibes, but there’s something else on the menu here. The company’s nonprofit arm, Shuckin’ Good Cause, is serving up a large helping hand by supporting children, hospitality workers, and the wider community.

“Shuckin’ Good Cause comes from the same spirit John and Amanda Horne built their first restaurant on,” says Executive Director Pamela …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Junior League of Manatee County

This is a story about a volunteer force that knows how to get stuff done. If there’s a project that needs to be completed, they’ll show up with supplies before most people have even finished planning it out. This is the Junior League of Manatee County (JLMC)—a training ground for women who know their efforts matter. 

JLMC is a nonprofit volunteer …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Every community has a pulse, and one of Bradenton’s strongest beats comes from a small building on 14th Street West. Here, an entirely volunteer-run organization called Stillpoint Mission has been meeting practical needs for twenty-seven years. 

The mission’s work is humble yet relentless. It feeds families, helps with utility bills, and gives away diapers, shoes, and clothes. There are no fees, no paperwork beyond …

WORDS: Shannon Evans

When families step into Feld Entertainment Studios on a special December day, they walk straight into a winter wonderland. A towering Christmas tree glimmers in the center of the stadium-sized room, next to a forest of evergreens. A working train, big enough to ride, clickety-clacks around the scene. Volunteer elves pass out snacks and smiles. And then Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive, not by sleigh, but atop …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Here’s a sobering statistic: One in 10 children in Florida will experience the death of a parent or sibling before turning 18. 

That’s 10 kids out of every hundred staring at an empty seat at the dinner table. That’s two kids in every classroom who carry questions with no easy answers. But thanks to the compassionate work of The Mark Wandall Foundation, grieving children …

WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

“I remember it like it was yesterday.” 

This is the quote I heard again and again when I spoke to several staff and attendees who were at LECOM Field on February 21, 2023. That day, the Pittsburgh Pirates were hosting an event for the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. Among the attendees was avid sports fan Ernie Withers, who was in the outfield catching balls for …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

What if foster care wasn’t just about providing a bed, but building a future? 

Decades ago, Graci McGillicuddy asked that question as she worked with children in Florida’s child welfare system. Kids shuffled between homes, struggling with untreated trauma and a lack of stability. Graci saw they needed more than temporary solutions. What if they had a place where they could heal, grow, and …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
MAIN PHOTO: Katelyn Disbro

Hope. A small word with life-changing power—and it’s what Tim Pedon has dedicated his life to sharing. As a Program Specialist at Volunteers of America (VOA) Florida, Tim helps others discover the hope that turned his life around.

In the mid-1990s, Tim walked a road of significant mental health challenges. Feeling unmoored and in need of stability, he turned to VOA, which helped …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Think about your life: every success you’ve celebrated, every hurdle you’ve overcome. Chances are, you only got there because someone helped you—a teacher, mentor, parent, or friend. For hundreds of students across Florida, Take Stock in Children provides that same critical support. This life-changing program offers scholarships to students facing economic hardships and matches them with mentors who encourage, guide, and inspire them to …

WORDS: Shannon Evans
PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst

Margaret J. Wheatley once said, “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” In the heart of Manatee County, the Bradenton Kiwanis Club has harnessed this power for change, weaving a legacy of care and connection for over a century. And among all the causes this service club cares about, children and families rank high.  

The word …