Fundraising Success at Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade: Over $17,800 Raised

Thriving Community Spirit at the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade

The annual Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade, held on December 18, 2025, turned out to be a memorable evening filled with holiday cheer and community support. This year, The Reinhart Foundation, a local nonprofit organization, matched an incredible $8,906.80 in donations during the event, helping to raise over $17,800 to benefit local programs for individuals with disabilities. The parade, hosted by Suncoast Charities for Children and Marina Jack, featured 27 beautifully decorated boats that floated along Sarasota Bay, spreading joy and competing for prizes.

This festive occasion marked the second year of partnership between the Sarasota Holiday Boat Parade and The Reinhart Foundation. With their matching grant program, the foundation aims to enhance the quality of life for families with children experiencing disabilities or critical illnesses. Last year, they matched $6,845 in community donations, showing a growing commitment to community support and outreach.

“It is a profound honor for us to support such an incredible event through our matching grant initiative,” shared Jourdan Reinhart, co-founder of The Reinhart Foundation and one of the judges of the boat parade. She expressed her personal connection to the cause by mentioning her family members with special needs, emphasizing the impactful role community support plays.

Approximately 5,000 attendees gathered in Bayfront Park, eagerly watching the parade as boats sailed past. Among the highlights was a 15-foot-tall flamingo boat, which won the award for