• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Local property management group gives back to the children of veterans

Castle Group partnered with organizations around Sarasota to provide back-to-school supplies for children in need.


  • By Whitney Elfstrom
  • | 1:21 p.m. August 12, 2019
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Like many organizations around Sarasota, Castle Group wanted to help Sarasota students head back to school with brand new backpacks and school supplies. But with one change, the local property management company focused on the children of veterans and active military. 

Around 56 backpacks were distributed at Goodwill Manasota at 8490 Lockwood Ridge Road, which doubles as a donation center and veterans services. Castle Group worked with the veterans’ programs of organizations such as Goodwill, Turning Points, Jewish Family and Children’s Services and University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee to find families in need. 

The Aug. 9 back to school bash featured pizza and refreshments for the families to enjoy while their children picked out backpacks.  

Tatiana Holloman, 7, picks out a blue backpack with Taliyah Wright, 9, Tj Steele, 8, and Cj Ford, 10.
Tatiana Holloman, 7, picks out a blue backpack with Taliyah Wright, 9, Tj Steele, 8, and Cj Ford, 10.
Abbey Brett, 5, loves her new school supplies.
Abbey Brett, 5, loves her new school supplies.
Adalene Bailey, 6, picks out a blue backpack.
Adalene Bailey, 6, picks out a blue backpack.
Erin Brett, 8, enjoys her dinner while she waits for her turn to grab a backpack.
Erin Brett, 8, enjoys her dinner while she waits for her turn to grab a backpack.
Izzie Landis, Bailey Hughes, Xavier Hughes and Gabi Landis pick out their backpacks.
Izzie Landis, Bailey Hughes, Xavier Hughes and Gabi Landis pick out their backpacks.
Ishmel Dumbar, 7, and Autumn Clarke, 4, hang out with their grandma Janet McBride.
Ishmel Dumbar, 7, and Autumn Clarke, 4, hang out with their grandma Janet McBride.
Jeremiah j Robinson, Janet McBride and Todd Hughes
Jeremiah j Robinson, Janet McBride and Todd Hughes
Gabi Landis, 12,  Xavier Hughes, 10, Bailey Hughes, 13,  and Izzie Landis, 10
Gabi Landis, 12, Xavier Hughes, 10, Bailey Hughes, 13, and Izzie Landis, 10
Nikita Stegmeier, 6, and Hooly Worckoetter, 11
Nikita Stegmeier, 6, and Hooly Worckoetter, 11
The kids hang out before they pick out their backpacks.
The kids hang out before they pick out their backpacks.
Victoria Aryes, 3, munches on her cheese pizza.
Victoria Aryes, 3, munches on her cheese pizza.

 

Latest News

Negotiations continue between Manatee County and its two garbage haulers — Waste Management and Waste Pro.
  • February 14, 2026
Bulk garbage pickups likely to return for Manatee County residents
Longboat Key Democratic Club President Lucie Lapovsky (right) updates the 160 attendees on new initiatives the Club is starting soon at a luncheon Tuesday, Feb. 10.
  • February 14, 2026
Longboat Key Democratic Club to launch newsletter, raise funds for flippable races
The property at 1500 Stickney Point Road includes 21 parcels.
  • February 13, 2026
Sarasota County to buy prominent Stickney Point property for $21M project
Waldorf Astoria Residences Sarasota will offer views of Sarasota Bay and beyond from its Five Points location.
  • February 12, 2026
Developer introduces luxury-branded downtown condo tower

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

3 Sarasota couples share what brought and what keeps them together
  • February 13, 2026
3 Sarasota couples share what brought and what keeps them together
Norma Fox shows her enthusiasm.
  • February 12, 2026
Aerialist and trapeze artist La Norma celebrates 100th birthday
  • February 12, 2026
Inside a Family Dental Practice Built on Integrative, Whole-Body Care
A motorcycle and car show is part of the planned activities at the 2026 installment of Thunder by the Bay.
  • February 11, 2026
Sarasota's Thunder by the Bay features music, motors and more
The Sarasota County Operations Center (East County) was honored with a plaque.
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Garden Club hosts Civic Beautification Awards
There was some tough competition in this year's Superb Owl "Most Valuable Predator" contest. Wanda, one of the bird rescue's resident barred owls, won the title of "Best Defense."
  • February 10, 2026
Whoooo is the MVP of Save Our Seabirds' owlery?

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now