Movers and Shakers: SDMA Launches Operation Care Package

SARASOTA - At the July 2016 meeting of the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association (SDMA), attending members enthusiastically agreed to work together to launch a community-wide effort to send "Care Packages" to local men and women that are serving in the armed forces overseas. Care Packages from local merchants will include both foods and products that our military men and women can enjoy while they are deployed, as well as coupons and gift cards they can use when they return home.

"Our participation in 'Operation Care Package' is an opportunity for downtown merchants and residents to show our friends and family members serving our country overseas that we are thinking of them and that we appreciate their service," says Ron Soto, SDMA chairman. The young men and women that receive our Care Packages will never forget your generosity and will become loyal, lifelong supporters of your business. A local resident shared his own experience years ago, when he received a similar package from the community in which he lived when he was serving in the military overseas. When he returned home, the veteran made a point of always giving his business to the merchants that had acknowledged his service to our country.

We are asking merchants to participate in "Operation Care Package" by collecting the names and addresses of local family members and friends serving in the military. You also are welcome to include a product, coupon or a gift card from your business. Just send an e-mail to sdmavoice@gmail.com, and we will gladly arrange pick-up of the contact details and your donated items to include in the packages, which will be sent overseas in time for the holidays.

Downtown residents also are encouraged to participate in "Operation Care Package" by making a donation!

Even a $5.00 contribution will help us purchase additional products to send overseas. Make your donations online by visiting www.sarasotadowntownmerchants.com, or send a check to:

SDMA, PO Box 1423, Sarasota, FL 34230. The SDMA asks all downtown merchants and residents to support our local men and women in the military by getting involved! A Care Package containing all things local will be sent to your loved one that is away from home right now. Please stop in to one of the shops listed below and we will ship the Care Package to your son or daughter, friend, husband, wife, brother, sister, niece or nephew. We look forward to making someone you know and love smile!

Here is the list of participating merchants so far:

Sift Bakehouse –1383 McAnsh Square

Penzeys Spices –1516 Main Street

Pixie Dust Metaphysical Boutique –1476 Main Street

PanachŽ –1441 Main Street

Patrick's 1481 –1481 Main Street

Soto’s Opticians –1383 Main Street

Salon 41 – 41 South Palm Avenue

Smokin Joes Pub – 1448 Main Street

Indigo West –330 South Pineapple

Malbi DŽcor –127 S. Pineapple Avenue

Cold Stone Creamery –1900 Main Street

Kennedy Studios –1472 Main Street

Scout and Molly’s –1413 1 st Street

Gator Club –1490 Main Street

PJ’s Boutique –1143 Main Street

The Cookie Cottage –335 Gillespie Avenue (Downtown Village)