Green Zone Hero, an association of veteran-friendly businesses, was recently honored at an event marking the release of Big Top Brewing Company’s newest beer, Black Ops Dark Wheat Ale. Green Zone Hero will give donations collected at the release event and matching contributions from Big Top Brewing to a Sarasota-based nonprofit that helps veterans and their families heal, the Brian Bill Foundation.

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation recently awarded Embracing Our Differences a $40,000 grant to help fund its 2017 exhibition season, which runs April 1-May 31 in Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The grant will also empower Embracing Our Differences' educational outreach.

On Oct. 6, 30 volunteers from PNC Bank and Publix Super Markets volunteered to help Children First during United Way's annual Day of Caring. The volunteers beautified local Children First centers and performed administrative projects that included assembling event invitations and volunteer application packets, making signs to display program needs and more.

Veronica Brady, senior vice president for philanthropy at the Gulf Coast Community Foundation, will be the keynote speaker at the Women’s Resource Center's Fall Legacy Luncheon, “Catalyst for Change.” The fundraising event runs from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, at the Plantation Golf & Country Club, 500 Rockley Blvd., Venice. Tickets are $50.

The Junior League of Sarasota’s third annual Art of Food fundraiser takes place 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Selby Public Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota. Local chefs from more than 20 area restaurants will prepare masquerade-inspired cocktails, small plates and desserts. Tickets are $100 through Sunday, Oct. 16, and $125 afterward. The Junior League is also hosting its third annual Lilly Pulitzer Luncheon & Fashion Show at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at the Sarasota Yacht Club, 1100 John Ringling Blvd., Sarasota. The event will feature new fashions from the St. Armands Lilly Pulitzer store, silent auction items, a Lilly Pulitzer art print for raffle and Lilly Pulitzer-themed fun. Tickets are $125.