The Sarasota YMCA and the Safe Children Coalition recently announced that a young boy who has been in an agency for persons with disabilities group home for five years was recently placed with his adoptive father, T. Scott Ryan. Drake, 11, participated in a superhero-themed adoption ceremony in a Sarasota courthouse on Oct. 14.

The Junior League of Sarasota recently presented five local nonprofits with a total of $33,000 in grants, marking the first time since 2007 that the Junior League of Sarasota has awarded community grants. Easter Seals Southwest Florida received $5,000 for its Sensory Room project, Embracing Our Differences received $5,000 for its Make-a-Day of It! Program, the Family Network on Disabilities of Manasota received $5,000 to provide in-home respite care services to multiple families, Transition Sarasota received $5,000 for its Suncoast Gleaning Project and the Van Wezel Foundation received $13,000 for its Art Works for Schooltime-Grade Level Reading Initiative.

All Faiths Food Bank held its annual luncheon benefit Bowls of Hope on Nov. 13. Roguhly 1,500 people came to Ed Smith Stadium to support All Faiths Food Bank and the families it serves.

The Hershorin Schiff Community Day School recently purchased a van that doubles as a mobile classroom, taking students on the road for real-life educational opportunities. Lead donors were Ed and Betty Rosenthal and Kira and Gennady Gekht.

Florida Studio Theatre recently received a $45,000 arts appreciation grant from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation. The funds will underwrite the theater's 2016-2017 Winter Mainstage and Cabaret seasons and also sponsor the theater's Season Gala fundraiser in February.