Lakewood Ranch collects supplies for those in need after Hurricane Milton

Lakefront Drive at Waterside Place was lined with hundreds of players Oct. 16, a cornhole bag in one hand and a drink in the other.

Along with those cornhole bags, laughter also filled the air as Ranch Nite Wednesdays proved to be the best party in town.

There was no hint of the anguish caused by Hurricane Milton a week earlier.

"This is incredibly important," said MVP Sports and Social's Chris McComas, who organizes the combination sports and social league. "You get to see some friends and to laugh. Life is OK. This reminds you of what matters."

MVP Sports and Social added a hurricane relief chat room to its website. "We keep a good pulse of the community," McComas said.

While the Lakewood Ranch-area had to withstand its share of hardships through the recent storms, it hasn't been the type of devastation suffered by the beach communities.

With that in mind, Lakewood Ranch developer Schroeder-Manatee Ranch wanted to find ways to help.

"We felt fortunate so we wanted to find ways to give back," said Sandy Shahinian, the vice president of sales and marketing for Lakewood Ranch Communities.

Shahinian said first responders and linemen received a free meal from any of the food trucks at Ranch Nite Wednesday. They only needed to show a work ID and SMR would reimburse them for the meal.

SMR also was collecting food and supplies for those in need because of the hurricane. The items collected at Ranch Nite Wednesday would be distributed by Meals on Wheels Plus.

Another collection is scheduled for Sunday at the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch. The items collected at the farmers market will be distributed through Friendly City Foundation of Bradenton.

Friendly City Foundation will distribute food to Feeding Empty Little Tummies, that serves food insecure children; cleaning supplies that will go to organizations that support rebuilding local small businesses; the Center of Anna Maria Island; the Bradenton Beach Merchant Association; and others.

Anyone who would like to contribute items can drop them off at the Lakewood Ranch Information Center at 8131 Lakewood Main Street through Thanksgiving.

Those taking advantage of Ranch Nite Wednesday said they were having a great time.

Myakka City's Kent Cooper, who teams up with his son Branden for the cornhole, said the cornhole league provides a little bit competition and the chance to visit with friends. He said the hurricane couldn't prevent everyone from having a good time.

"I've been through a lot (in terms of storms over the years)," he said. "It is something you have to deal with. But without a doubt, it's good to get out here and have fun."

As a life-long resident of Florida, Braden Cooper said he knows that you need to move forward after storms. "You get used to it," he said. "Welcome to Florida."

While the event was going on, people were making their way to the Lakewood Ranch bus to drop off donated items.

"Hurricanes are stressful," Sarasota's Susan Hong said as she dropped off bags full of items. "I just wanted to do something because I am grateful."

If staying active is a way of relieving stress, McComas said people are fortunate as the activities he plans for Lakewood Ranch are back in full swing. He said the facilities he utilizes for his programs are in good shape as the Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District has "been on top of it," since Milton passed.

McComas said the sand volleyball courts at Waterside Park got hit pretty good.

"The sand was on the sidewalks, in the parking lot, on the grass," he said. "It looked like we had six inches of snow."