On Feb. 9, Children First, Sarasota County's provider of Head Start and Early Head Start programs, dedicated the Keith D. and Linda L. Monda Community Wing at its primary campus. Keith and Linda Monda were instrumental in starting the recent Crib Challenge to encourage additional giving for the Raise Your Hand Campaign, launched last spring to enhance and strengthen existing programs and services. As a result of the Mondas’ challenge, Children First added a new infant room at the Helen R. Payne Center, where the organization can now provide care to babies who would otherwise be on the organization's waiting list. Thanks to the Crib Challenge, Children First announced it will now be able to add a second infant room.

The Patterson Foundation is providing $250,000 in funding to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy’s Global Refugee Crisis Fund. As donors around the globe aspire to ease the suffering of the 65 million displaced people worldwide, the Crisis Fund connects them with expert insight and opportunities to address the issues refugees face daily while building solutions to their long-term challenges.

The Venice commercial construction company J.E. Charlotte Construction Corp. was the presenting sponsor of the Florida Gulf Coast University’s Challenge Cup Scramble on Jan. 28. Benefiting Florida Gulf Coast University athletics to raise scholarship funds for student athletes, the tournament netted $10,000.

Der Dutchman, Publix and Detwiler's Farm Market donated Valentine’s Day cookies to homebound clients of Meals on Wheels of Sarasota on Feb. 14. The nonprofit also distributed cards handcrafted by youth volunteers from DoSomething.org, a global nonprofit created to motivate young people to make positive change, as well as local students.

Embracing Our Differences is partnering with the Suncoast Campaign for Grade-Level Reading to distribute 4,000 Dr. Seuss books in nearly 700 classrooms on Thursday, March 2. More than 11,000 elementary school students in Sarasota and Manatee counties will celebrate reading and diversity on the day, Dr. Seuss author Theodor Seuss Geisel's 113th birthday.

Sarasota Orthopedic Associates is partnering with Nate’s Honor Animal Rescue for its eighth annual Ponies for Pups event. The polo match will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, at the Sarasota Polo Club, 8201 Polo Club Lane, Sarasota. Nate’s is a safe, no-kill shelter for animals as they await adoption into forever homes. Tickets are $10-$75.