When I think back on Giving Challenges I’ve been part of over the years, I’m reminded that some of the most meaningful community moments don’t start polished. They start with a little creativity, a little courage, and a willingness to make things fun.
One of my earliest memories goes all the way back to my time with the United Way of Manatee County. We were trying to bring programs to life in a way that would actually stick with people. So, I did what any reasonable person would do. I crafted a foam manatee head with hands made out of grey socks. From there, I found myself acting out skits, helping with tax preparation through VITA, reading with students, volunteering in programs, doing whatever it took to take something that could feel routine or abstract and make it feel real, human, and a little bit unexpected.
It was low budget in every sense of the word. But it worked. More importantly, it was fun. And that sense of play, of trying something a little outside the norm, is something I still come back to every Giving Challenge season.
Because here’s the truth. The Giving Challenge is not just a fundraising moment. It’s a community moment. In the midst of economic challenges and uncertainty, and let’s be honest, there always seems to be some version of that, our community still shows up in full force. The Community Foundation of Sarasota County and The Patterson Foundation continue to invest deeply in strengthening that spirit of generosity, and the ripple effect is real.
From a staff perspective, though, I won’t pretend it’s always easy. The day-to-day work of serving families is meaningful, but it can also be heavy. And the Giving Challenge adds a different kind of intensity on top of that. There are deadlines, coordination, messaging, logistics, all of it real work that my team absolutely feels but is able to nail every time.
But it’s also something else. It’s a chance to step back and reimagine how we tell our story.
Every Giving Challenge pushes us to ask better questions,
- How do we reach people who don’t yet know Parenting Matters?
- How do we stand out among more than 700 incredible nonprofits doing important work?
- How do we communicate impact in a way that feels personal, not just informational?
This year, our answer came back to something simple. Personal connection.
We focused on messages that feel like they’re coming from one person to another. Real stories, real moments, real voices from families and those who walk alongside them. Instead of broad statements, we leaned into individual experiences. What it feels like to be supported, what it means to be seen, and how small moments of guidance can change the direction of a family’s journey.
And somewhere in the middle of all that, a familiar spirit showed up again.
Maybe inspired by that foam manatee with sock hands from years ago, Pinky the flamingo made her debut. Bright, a little playful, and fully committed to celebrating the joy of parenting and the people who make it possible. Pinky has become a reminder for us that even in serious work, there is room for lightness. In fact, sometimes that lightness is what opens the door for connection in the first place.
That’s what the Giving Challenge has always offered. A moment where creativity, generosity, and community meet. It is work, but it’s also an invitation. An invitation to think differently, to engage more deeply, and to remember that behind every gift is a person choosing to believe in something bigger.
And for that, I am always grateful.