The Bay Park celebrates Giving Challenge with two-day event series

For the seven Sarasota nonprofits in attendance, the biggest gift of the Giving Challenge at The Bay was the chance to engage with the public, said Park Guest Experience Director Diana Shaheen.

The nonprofits, all of them partners of the Bay Park Conservancy, had the opportunity to spend a portion of the Giving Challenge, an online giving event by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County amid the activity at the park on April 9.

The challenge benefits more than 700 nonprofits across four counties, with The Patterson Foundation matching all unique donations from $25-$100.

Held April 9 and 10, the event featured offerings including performances by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and Shindig and an informal cornhole competition by Operation Warrior Resolution. It also featured events like a live shark survey streaming by Minorities in Shark Sciences.

Kendra Simpkins, founder and CEO of Operation Warrior Resolution, said she was grateful.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity to be a part of (the event) and to raise money, but also to raise awareness in the community, to get people excited about giving, because we have such a philanthropic community and people who wouldn’t normally be donating, are donating, which is really exciting.”

“It was fantastic,” said attendee Kim Lacy following the performance by Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe. “The talent was phenomenal and the Giving Challenge is a wonderful event.”