Member Spotlight

Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization created to improve the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers today. Neuro Challenge provides individualized Care Advising and monthly virtual and community-based education, therapeutic and support programs in Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas, Highlands, Marion and Charlotte counties and beyond. All Neuro Challenge essential services and programs are offered at no cost to people with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones.

The Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center is a program of the Empath Tidewell Grief Care Division. Our mission is to provide grief support to children and their families after a death. Our program serves children from as young as 4 years old all the way to 18, as well as their adult caregiver, which can include their parent, grandparents or other relative.

As you may know, InStride Therapy has been serving the community for over 25 years and in 2020, the local Easterseals affiliate merged to create Easterseals, InStride Therapy. Through COVID and now Hurricane Ian- we have continued to preserver and offer exceptional services to persons with disabilities and veterans through the gentile demeanor of our horses. Easterseals Happiness House has supported individuals with disabilities to live their best lives and be engaged in their communities since 1946. On day one, the people of this compassionate, caring nonprofit have offered help and hope to children and adults with disabilities, working to ensure all abilities of all ages can shine. This means keeping ahead of the needs of our clients is a must- which is where you come in.

Restoration Nation Retreat (RNR) is a nonprofit organization that hosts Christ-centered retreats designed to refresh, nourish and restore those who attend. Our heart is to pour out the extravagant love of the Father on each attendee. Retreats will be designed with each participant group in mind. We plan specific retreats open to individual signups, as well as custom retreats for churches, ministries and other groups.

Southeastern Guide Dogs transforms lives by creating and nurturing extraordinary partnerships between people and dogs. We breed, raise, and train elite guide dogs, service dogs, and skilled companion dogs and provide life-changing services at no cost to the recipients. For the past 40 years, we have successfully created thousands of guide dog and service dog teams throughout the United States and currently oversee the well-being of more than 1,200 puppies and dogs.

We met with Luldes Serrano, Executive Director, who gave us some background on the Good Samaritan Pharmacy and the work they do in the community. The pharmacy started in 2008, and the free clinic was added in 2015. Since the pandemic, it has been a struggle to find enough volunteers. They are looking for volunteers including high school students who need service hours, and they gave us a list of OTC needs for those who would like to donate to support their cause.