Sarasota Police Foundation

08/27/2026

The wait is over!! Tickets are officially LIVE for the 2027 Blue & White Gala!

Join us for an unforgettable evening supporting the Sarasota Police Foundation and the officers who serve our community. Get your tickets now before they’re gone!

Join us for an elegant evening celebrating the Sarasota Police Foundation’s mission to support the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department. Enjoy fine dining, open bar, entertainment, dancing, and inspiring stories of impact through officer wellness, scholarships, disaster relief, and comm...

08/20/2026

A huge THANK YOU to Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and Sarasota Orchestra for choosing the Sarasota Police Foundation as one of just FOUR local nonprofit beneficiaries of Summon the Heroes! 💙

We are incredibly honored to be part of an evening celebrating our community’s heroes while giving back to organizations right here in Sarasota.

Now we need YOU to help fill those seats!

Purchase your tickets, bring some friends, and join us for an incredible performance by the Sarasota Orchestra and a really special night supporting our community.

You can purchase tickets here: https://www.eventticketscenter.com/summon-the-heroes-sarasota-tickets/1456059/e?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22852363376&gclid=CjwKCAjwy5rUBhB5EiwAIoAtCiaN0GM6I49YpkyhpNNTuFb5ko9cUvDwuFCKOFdNFQw6TA5mK_2ANRoCDdgQAvD_BwE

07/24/2026

Who says attending a gala is just about dressing up? 😉

One of the best parts of the Sarasota Police Foundation Gala is the opportunity to bid on (and win!) some truly one-of-a-kind experiences you simply can't buy anywhere else.

Yesterday, our board member Heather joined gala experience winners, the Kitchners, for an unforgettable Marine Patrol ride-along with Officers Skinner and Dixon. Safe to say... a day on the water with those two is never a boring day! 🚤🌊

A huge thank you to Officers Skinner and Dixon for sharing their time and giving our winners a behind-the-scenes look at the incredible work they do to keep our waterways safe.

Think this looks like fun? Save the date! Our next Sarasota Police Foundation Gala is Saturday, January 30, 2027. You never know what amazing experiences might be waiting for you!

07/23/2026

A big thank you to The Observer for taking the time to highlight the incredible work of the Sarasota Police Department's K-9 Unit! We truly appreciate the spotlight on these amazing officers and their four-legged partners who serve our community with courage, loyalty, and heart.

To our K-9 handlers and their incredible partners...thank you for your dedication, sacrifice, and the countless hours of training that help keep Sarasota safe.

When these K-9s retire from active duty, their service may end, but their need for care doesn't. That's why the Sarasota Police Foundation is proud to support our Retired K-9 Program, which helps reimburse retired K-9 handlers for expenses such as food and boarding, ensuring these loyal heroes enjoy the retirement they've earned.

If you're an animal lover and would like to make a difference, you can donate directly to our Retired K-9 Program. Every gift helps care for these furry heroes who gave so much to our community!

Thank you again to the Observer for sharing their story and thank you to every K-9 officer, past and present, for your service.

They spent their careers protecting us. Now it's our turn to take care of them. 🐾💙

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/2026/jul/23/sarasota-police-police-dogs-training/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTPCExleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe7dEv4FNtgl1zmocnjwTdtNEiKQPcIXK4crvaKOPogJnlk-PFsyG94DSBB4c_aem_6nke5dJpn7P_EG-Cs8ZAJg

With hundreds of hours of certification training and constant reinforcement exercises, the Sarasota Police Department's four-team K-9 Unit takes a bite out of crime.

07/22/2026

Some moments in history remind us that even in the face of unimaginable tragedy, the strength of a community shines through.

Join us for Summon the Heroes, a special concert commemorating the 25th anniversary of September 11. Presented by the Sarasota Orchestra and Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, this inspiring evening will feature powerful music honoring courage, sacrifice, resilience, and hope.

Even better, your attendance helps make a difference right here at home. A portion of the proceeds will benefit four incredible local organizations, including the Sarasota Police Foundation, helping us continue our mission of supporting the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department and investing in programs that strengthen our community.

We hope you'll join us for an unforgettable evening of music, remembrance, and unity as we honor those we lost, celebrate the heroes among us, and stand together as one community.

We look forward to seeing you there. ❤️🤍💙

Get your tickets here: https://www.vanwezel.org/events/detail/summon-the-heroes

07/17/2026

Huge THANK YOU to Maverick in the Morning (and Lulu!) for once again taking their morning show on the road and broadcasting live from the Sarasota Police Department to help spread the word about Pack the Patrol Car! 🚔📚

Now through July 31, you can help "pack the patrol car" by dropping off new school supplies at the Sarasota Police Department.

Then on August 8, from 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, the Sarasota YMCA will host Badges & Backpacks, where local families can receive backpacks and school supplies to help kick off the new school year.

Here's the good news...and the "we need your help" news!

More than 400 families have already registered, and they've opened registration to even more families. That's incredible...but it also means we need MORE backpacks and MORE school supplies!

If you can spare a few minutes (and maybe resist buying yourself another coffee or that random thing you absolutely didn't need at Target...we've all been there), please consider picking up a few school supplies and dropping them off.

Notebooks! Crayons! Pencils! Backpacks!! They may seem small to you, but to a child starting the school year, it can make a huge difference.

Let's fill up those patrol cars...because explaining to the officers why there's still room in the back seat sounds awkward. ❤️🚔🎒

07/14/2026

✨ Save the Date! ✨

Mark your calendars for one of our favorite nights of the year!

Join us on Saturday, January 30, 2027 at Michael's On East for an unforgettable evening benefiting the Sarasota Police Foundation. Enjoy an incredible night of fine dining, entertainment, exciting auctions, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference for the men and women of the Sarasota Police Department.

We're just getting started, but we can't wait to share more details, sponsors, auction items, and surprises in the coming months!

If you or your business would like to become a sponsor or donate an item for our live or silent auction, we'd love to hear from you! Please email me at [email protected] or call/text me at 941-468-1611 to learn more about how you can support this special event.

For now...just save the date! We can't wait to celebrate with you while supporting those who serve our community! 💙

07/10/2026

🚔 PACK THE PATROL CAR IS BACK! 🚔

School will be here before we know it (seriously... didn't summer just start? 😅), and we're once again asking our incredible community to help us "pack" a Sarasota Police patrol car with school supplies for local students.

Starting on July 13 through July 31, you can drop off new school supplies at Sarasota Police Headquarters downtown. We're looking for backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders... basically everything except speeding tickets. 😉

For many families, back-to-school shopping can be a real financial challenge. By donating even a few supplies, you're helping students walk into their classrooms feeling prepared, confident, and ready for a great school year. That's something our entire community can be proud of.

Our officers are pretty good at filling out reports, but they would much rather spend this month filling a patrol car with school supplies instead. So let's give them a good problem to have and fill that patrol car up! And if we need a second patrol car... well, we'd call that an outstanding outcome.

Thank you for helping us support local students and families. Together, we can make sure every child starts the school year with the tools they need to succeed. ❤️

05/16/2026

Today at the Humane Society: puppies, kittens, and your local Police Department & Crime Stoppers all in one place until 4:00!

Even better…the first $1,000 in adoption fees are being waived today.

If you’ve been thinking about adopting, this might be your sign to come meet your new best friend. Stop by, say hi, and soak up some puppy and kitten cuddles while supporting a great cause. 😉

Fair warning: you may walk in “just to look” and leave naming a kitten in your car. 🐾

05/01/2026

One of our board members, Andrea, received the sweetest text today about one of our Police Department’s Community Resource Officers, Officer Bentz.

While a group of elementary kids were out celebrating with ice cream after winning a pumpkin decorating contest, Officer Bentz happened to drive by… and instead of just passing through, she stopped to say hi.

The kids were beyond excited (honestly, I think that’s the real win over the ice cream 🍦).

It’s those small, unplanned moments that leave the biggest impact. Thank you, Officer Bentz, for taking the time to connect and making these kids’ day a little extra special 💙