As Sarasota County students were preparing to return to school on Aug. 10, Gecko’s Grill & Pub on Clark Road was helping local children begin the year with confidence through a community-led school supply initiative benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.
“Every child deserves to walk into their first day of school feeling excited and prepared,” said Fiona Farrell, chief operating officer of Gecko’s Hospitality Group. “This was such a meaningful opportunity for our community to come together and support local students. We are grateful to everyone who donated their time, supplies and resources to help make a difference for children across Sarasota County.”
From July 1 through July 26, Gecko’s collected backpacks and school essentials
through its School Supply Drive, bringing together guests, team members and community members with a shared goal: helping ensure local students have the materials they need for a successful start to the school year.
Community members were able to participate by donating school supplies at the restaurant, purchasing items through Gecko’s Amazon Wish List or sponsoring a backpack with a $25 donation. These contributions helped provide essential classroom supplies for distribution to local children through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast.
The drive concluded with Gecko’s “Backpacking Party” on July 30, where volunteers gathered to assemble the backpacks and prepare them for donation.
Through the partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, the backpacks will reach students and families who may not otherwise have access to the supplies needed to start the school year prepared. The community’s support helped Gecko’s fill 100 backpacks.
'Mike’s Summer Adventure'
Gecko’s also is bringing local landmarks, creativity and family fun to the table with the release of “Mike’s Summer Adventure,” a new children’s activity book created by Gecko’s Summer Intern Mariela Rodriguez and CEO Fiona Farrell.
“Mike’s Summer Adventure” gives children an opportunity to stay entertained while exploring familiar places throughout Sarasota, Bradenton and surrounding communities.
The idea for the activity book was developed as part of Rodriguez’s summer internship project with Gecko’s Hospitality Group. The goal was to create something that helps families connect with the communities they call home.
Throughout the book, children are introduced to recognizable local destinations including Nathan Benderson Park, Siesta Key Beach and the Bradenton Riverwalk, along with other community locations that families may recognize and have personal connections with.
“What makes this project so meaningful is knowing that long after my internship ends, I can walk into a Gecko’s location with my own family or friends and see something I helped create being enjoyed by the community that raised me,” said Rodriguez, who grew up in Bradenton.
“Mike’s Summer Adventure” is available for purchase ($5) at all six Gecko’s Grill & Pub locations. For more information about Gecko's Grill & Pub, visit www.geckosgrill.com
“From the beginning, we wanted this book to be about more than keeping children occupied during a meal,” Farrell said. “We wanted to create something that helps families connect with the communities around them and reminds children that the places they visit, explore and create memories in are part of their own story.”
Gecko’s Hospitality Group is committed to strengthening the community through partnerships and initiatives that support families, organizations and causes throughout Southwest Florida. For more information about Gecko's Grill & Pub, visit geckosgrill.com.
Submitted by Mariela Rodriguez
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Popular restaurant leads school supply drive for Sarasota students
