In partnership with Sarasota County Schools, the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation and Gulf Coast Community Foundation surprised summer teachers with gift cards and other weekly prizes to celebrate their ongoing commitment to keep learning thriving throughout the break. Tickets to local cultural experiences were also donated from The Ringling, Selby Gardens, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Mote, Sarasota Orchestra, Sky Family YMCA, and The Hermitage. The cumulative gifts added up to more than $40,000.

For four weeks, more than 800 students are participating in reading programs across 17 schools. Of those children, 425 are in the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) program for students with disabilities.