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Janet Combs

Recent Stories

  • By Janet Combs
  • November 9, 2025
Sunset sparkles for SPARCCs fundraising soirée

Guests enjoyed a brilliant orange sunset over Sarasota Bay to kick off a night of fundraising, dinner and dancing.

  • By Janet Combs
  • November 2, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation rocks the roof, country style

Rock the Roof featured a country-western theme for patrons to do the two-step atop Sarasota Memorial's West Parking Garage.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 26, 2025
Mote SEA lures guests to its new location for Oceanic Evening

The annual event served as the new aquarium's grand opening gala as well, giving many patrons their first look at the new center.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 24, 2025
Pique Nique Sur La Baie makes its return after 5-year hiatus

The luncheon and fashion show, hosted by Florida Winefest, returned to the Van Wezel bayfront to celebrate its 42nd year.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 24, 2025
Selby's Lunch in the Gardens welcomes Orchid Show artist

Rebecca Louise Law's work is on display as part of Marie Selby Botanical Gardens' 2025 Orchid Show.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 19, 2025
Safari Sarasota raises funds to boost education in rural South Africa

The annual dinner benefits the All Heart Fund, which partners with the Good Work Foundation to provide digital education for kids in underserved areas of the country.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 12, 2025
The Sisterhood Project USA hosts inaugural Pearls & Prosecco Gala

The event benefits the organization, which works to empower children and teens affected by domestic violence.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 12, 2025
Truly Valued hosts Taste of New Orleans to benefit children's and family programming

The nonprofit welcomed more than 100 guests to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for the fundraiser.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 6, 2025
DJ R3hab amplifies third annual Wonderball

The Circus Arts Conservatory's annual party of electronic dance music attracted more than 700 guests.

  • By Janet Combs
  • October 5, 2025
Resilient Retreat luncheon teaches lessons of trauma recovery

The Pathways to Resilience event Oct. 1 welcomed several guest speakers to the lunch and learn.

  • By Janet Combs
  • May 4, 2025
Dick Vitale Gala expects to surpass $100M raised for pediatric cancer research

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, the event welcomed a crowd of sports celebrities among its 1,000 attendees.

  • By Janet Combs
  • April 28, 2025
Footballer Ray Sherman gives message of inspiration at Shine On! Extravaganza

Once an NFL coach, Sherman was the keynote speaker at the gala, which is Visible Men Academy's spring fundraiser.

  • By Janet Combs
  • April 26, 2025
Bigs and Littles celebrated at Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Sun Coast Spring Soiree

The dinner featured a silent auction to raise money for the nonprofit.

  • By Janet Combs
  • April 25, 2025
Sarasota Jewish Theatre honors Nancy Roucher's legacy in the arts

The organization celebrated the longtime arts advocate at a luncheon also featuring a performance by the Michael Ross Quartet.

  • By Janet Combs
  • April 13, 2025
Mission Pawssible helps Humane Society of Sarasota County find forever homes for area animals

The entertaining and heart-warming luncheon helped raise funds to rehabilitate stray animals and connect them with new families.

  • By Janet Combs
  • April 6, 2025
Children First enchants guests with the 25th Anniversary Fairytale Ball

Gala treats supporters to a magical night with its "Magic is All Around Us" theme.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 31, 2025
Save Our Seabirds hosts annual Extravaganza at the big top

The nonprofit raised funds to help sick and injured birds with circus-themed event and the help of Sailor Circus performers.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 31, 2025
Safe Children Coalition honors 4 at its third annual Giving Breakfast

The event raised more than $260,000 to support live-saving programs for children in the community.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 30, 2025
SPARCC Runway Fashion Show highlights seascape trends

About 650 attended the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center's annual luncheon and fashion show.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 28, 2025
Sarasota Opera honors singers at Salute the Stars luncheon

The luncheon recognized the opera's apprentice and studio artists for their work during the season.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 24, 2025
Mote's fifth annual Farm to Fillet attracts largest crowd yet

The luncheon, held outdoors at the Mote Aquaculture Research Park, welcomed more than 480 guests.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 23, 2025
ODA welcomes supporters to campus for annual Banyan Ball

Supporters of the Out-of-Door Academy were treated to performances by students from the Circus Arts Conservatory.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 23, 2025
SPAF shows it can-can at annual gala with 'Moulin Rouge' theme

The annual fundraiser for the performing arts center featured a performance of 'Moulin Rouge! The Musical' after dinner for attendees.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 21, 2025
Women's Resource Center hosts Supported Scholar Luncheon

The nonprofit celebrates the scholarships it gives, including those that help with emergency funding,, mentoring and mental health programming.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 14, 2025
‘Jersey Boys’ inspires Florida Studio Theatre's annual Shindig: Oh What a Night

FST honored Priscilla and Jack Schlegel with is prestigious Spelman Award.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 12, 2025
Black Party celebrates second act for Urbanite Theatre

The annual fundraiser supports the work of Sarasota's black box theater.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 11, 2025
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto celebrates 2025 Youth of the Year

The nonprofit highlighted the achievements of all of its Youth of the Year finalists at the event March 7.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 9, 2025
Empath's Tidewell Signature Luncheon welcomes speaker Dr. B.J. Miller

The 16th annual luncheon raises money for services for Tidewell Hospice.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 8, 2025
Planned Parenthood champions its cause for accessible health care at annual dinner

The nonprofit celebrated its mission while also unveiling a new project with Ringling College of Art and Design students.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 7, 2025
Abilities Shining Luncheon spotlights work of Easterseals

Easterseals Southwest Florida celebrates 80 years of providing access, inclusion and hope to individuals with disabilities and their families.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 4, 2025
New College celebrates two years of its athletics programs

The Mighty Banyan Royale event raised money to support athletic programs at the school.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 3, 2025
USF Sarasota-Manatee celebrates 30th Brunch on the Bay

The event, held on the college's campus, raises money for student scholarships.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 2, 2025
Florida Cancer Specialists Foundation hosts whodunnit

Organization hosts a "Mystery Under the Stars" for annual gala to benefit cancer patients.

  • By Janet Combs
  • March 2, 2025
Ringling College's Avant-Garde immerses guests in pop culture experience

The event, the college's premier fundraiser, raised money for students scholarships.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 26, 2025
The Haven hosts casino night at annual gala

The organization raised funds to help it provide essential services and support for children, teens and adults with disabilities and their families.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 24, 2025
Big Waters Land Trust treats guests to a feast on the ranch

Feast Upon the Fields attendees enjoyed a farm-to-table meal with Walton Ranch as the picturesque setting.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 23, 2025
Rock the Roof attendees party like it's 1999

Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual rooftop party sported a Y2K theme.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 21, 2025
Make-A-Wish cooks up experiences at interactive dinner

The event raises funds for Make-A-Wish Southern Florida to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 20, 2025
Sarasota Opera patrons revel in Moonlight & Melodies dinner

The second of the opera's dinner series transported guests to a Viennese feast worthy of Mozart.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 18, 2025
enSRQ serves up Prelude Soiree as pre-concert appetizer

The cocktail event gave new music supporters a bonus performance with special guest, cellist Abe Feder.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 17, 2025
Sarasota Ballet triumphs with tutus and turns at annual gala

The event, complete with cocktail hours, dining and dancing, also featured a performance by Sarasota Ballet dancers.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 16, 2025
Healthy Start Coalition shares the love at Together We Bloom

The nonprofit's dinner was held at The Resilient Retreat.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 16, 2025
Bigs and littles walk the runway for Big Brothers Big Sisters Suncoast

Program participants and supporters celebrate at annual Live Laugh Love Luncheon.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 12, 2025
February is the sweetest month — for nonprofits as well as candyholics

The social season is in full swing this month with a plethora of happenings and tidbits from those who attend them.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 9, 2025
Selby Gardens' Orchid Ball celebrates new exhibit featuring George Harrison

The "Here Comes the Moon" theme kicked off Harrison's exhibit, which highlights his passion for gardening.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 9, 2025
Ann Patchett espouses importance of libraries at Library Foundation luncheon

The award-winning author spoke at the annual Love Our Libraries luncheon Feb. 7.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 3, 2025
Catholic Charities Ball fundraiser rocks the St. Regis Longboat Key

The annual gala for the Catholic Charities Diocese of Venice benefits its programs throughout Sarasota County.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera transports patrons to 'A Night in Seville'

The opera's annual gala honored Les and Carol Brualdi for their support.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 2, 2025
The Sarasota Players celebrates 95 years of community theater

The theater gave a nod to past performances to thank patrons for their support over the years.

  • By Janet Combs
  • February 2, 2025
Superheroes step into the spotlight in support of Circus Arts Conservatory

The event helped the nonprofit raise more than $300,000 for its student programs.

»
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