Fall For Sarasota 2026 closed out its fifth year on Friday with volunteers spread across The Bay Park Conservancy, pulling weeds, trimming, and sprucing up the waterfront park that has become one of Sarasota’s favorite gathering spots. The initiative, organized by the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce and presented by the Baltimore Orioles, ran Sept. 16 through 18, connecting local businesses with nonprofit service projects across the county.
The week wasn’t just about landscaping. Chamber nonprofit members hosted projects that included blanket-making for veterans, meal preparation for families, classroom assistance, and career coaching. At All Faiths Food Bank, volunteer slots were fully booked, a sign of just how eager locals were to pitch in. Wayne Parrish, a volunteer with Rite Technology, said it always feels good to give back and praised the Chamber for putting on the event every year. John Ochoa, Programming Manager and Volunteer Coordinator at The Bay, noted that the work builds a sense of community and ownership, reminding neighbors that this is their park too.
If you missed your chance to volunteer, The Bay has plenty coming up. The park is preparing for its fourth-anniversary celebration in October, and its free weekly activities continue alongside a movie night on Sept. 25 featuring “9 to 5.” Have you ever volunteered at The Bay or with a local nonprofit? Tell us about it in the comments.
