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Thunder By The Bay Generates $204,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children Despite Weather Challenges

| Suncoast Post Staff |

Despite being rained out for a day and a half, the 26th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival, held this past February at the Sarasota Fairgrounds, successfully raised a net revenue of $204,000 for Suncoast Charities for Children.

Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director of Suncoast Charities for Children, expressed her gratitude: “We are extremely grateful for the generous support received from Festival sponsors, individual donors, vendors, dedicated volunteers, and everyone who attended the festival. Their combined support enabled us to continue with funding allocations to help local children, teens, and adults with special needs and their families.”

Thunder By The Bay
A 10 year old girl with down syndrome having fun at a water park, in the center of a multi-ethnic group of friends, getting a group hug. They are smiling at the camera.

Suncoast Charities for Children allocated the funds to various local non-profit agencies, including:

  • Children First: Support for the “Full Tummies – Flourishing Minds” program focused on preventing childhood hunger, a crisis fund for families in need, and the construction of a new playground for preschool children at their Venice campus.
  • Loveland Center: Development of a new outdoor therapeutic activity area for participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities and a new after-school recreational program in Bradenton.
  • Special Olympics: Acquisition of new sports equipment and funding for the first-ever Sarasota Summer Camp Shriver for special athletes.
  • The Florida Center for Early Childhood and The Haven: Provision of new therapy supplies, therapy equipment, and therapy scholarships for children to continue receiving necessary therapy services.

Additionally, a grant was made to the Suncoast Foundation for installing new classroom flooring at Children First, new air conditioning units at The Florida Center for Early Childhood, and new flooring, office upgrades, and air conditioning improvements at The Haven’s Venice Campus. These enhancements will ensure that over 65 clients with physical and/or cognitive challenges can now focus on life and vocational skills.

Special recognition awards were presented to:

  • Volunteer of The Year Award: C.J. McCormick
  • “Helping Hand” Award: Melinda Kornberg (Auction Chair)
  • “Behind The Scenes” Award: Beaner Zuniga (Backstage Manager)
  • “Behind The Lens” Award: ABC7 Anchor Brendan Mackey (Outstanding Media Coverage)
Thunder By The Bay
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The 27th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival is scheduled for February 14-16, 2025, at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Two national acts that were rained out this year, Grand Funk Railroad and Creed Fisher, have reconfirmed for the 2025 Festival. For updates and additional information, visit: Thunder by the Bay.

Photo Credit: Suncoast Charities for Children

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