Tag: holiday

It’s That Time of Year: TOYS FOR TOTS!

Written by Staff on November 30, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info.

It’s our most favorite time of year – the holiday season! It’s the greatest time for beautiful weather in paradise, fun with loved ones, festive spirit, and giving back!

We’re excited to partner with Toys for Tots in providing a tangible sign of hope and joy to economically disadvantaged children at Christmas. Through donations of new, unwrapped toys to Toys for Tots you are helping to bless a child right here in our own beloved community. Both of our offices (on Anna Maria and in Ellenton) are Toys for Tots collection centers. Stop by our A Paradise Realty office to drop off a toy or mark your calendar for our upcoming Holiday Open House supporting Toys for Tots on Friday December 2nd!

All donated toys go back to the children that live in the community where the donation occurred. Anna Maria Island draws in much of its income from tourism-related activities, and the workers within this industry sometimes struggle financially in the offseason. When you donate to Toys for Tots, you’re not only providing joy to children over the holidays, but you’re also easing the stress and pressure of financially overburdened parents who would otherwise not be able to provide gifts for their children.

If you are looking to donate, stop by our A Paradise Realty office during our Holiday Open House on Friday, December 2nd between 5 – 7 pm. Bring your unwrapped toy and join us for a wine tasting and tapas, live Holiday Music by Tanya McCormick and Appetizers from Slicker’s Eatery, and much more fun with our community! Donations are accepted as well if you can’t make it out to shop for a toy, bring a donation and our elves will shop for you.

Can’t make the event? Don’t worry, you can stop by our office at any time this season to drop off a toy and we would love to Thank You in person! Every donation of a toy will be picked up and distributed through several community agencies and civic organizations right here in our own hometown.

A Paradise drop-off locations:

A Paradise Realty – AMI
5201 Gulf Dr, Holmes Beach, FL 34217

A Paradise Realty – Ellenton
945 25th Dr E #10, Ellenton, FL 34222

Your kindness is the gift that keeps on giving, and we’re grateful to be a part of the holiday magic.

Happy Holidays from our A Paradise family to yours!

Photos from Unsplash.com and Sharon Hoatland (the flyer)

Anna Maria Island Holiday Gift Ideas

Written by Staff on November 17, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info.

The holiday season is about much more than gift-giving. But, if you’re going to take part in getting gifts for your loved ones… Why not spend money to support local? Whether it’s through a small business or helping lift up Anna Maria Island or a fun activity to explore the area – It’s always a good idea to shop small and remind your loved ones of this special place. Plus, bringing some sunshine to the chilly holiday season is just an added plus!

Here are some ideas we have to bring some Anna Maria Island area to your holiday gift lists:

Shop at a Local Boutique

Some of the best shopping on AMI can be conveniently found on Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach and Pine Avenue on the North End of Anna Maria. Both streets host plenty of walkable shopping! We’ve compiled some of our favorite island shops to get everything from sunglasses to surf gear and art to attire.

Tickets to an Amusement

From theme parks to museums to sporting events, the quick day trip from AMI is certainly worth the hike. We’ve compiled a variety of popular recommendations, all within a reasonable driving distance from our little slice of paradise on the Gulf of Mexico.

Membership to a Local Museum

Sarasota, Florida is known for its emphasis on the arts. You could certainly spend many days just checking out the museums within 20-30 minutes within Anna Maria Island. A museum membership is the gift that keeps on giving all year long.You can check out our Sarasota museum recommendations or even gift a membership to one of St.Pete or Tampa’s excellent options!

Local Art

Thoughtfully gifting some art and supporting local artists is a win/win. It’s a beautiful gift for the recipient and caring investment for a local artist or creator. Especially if it’s art depicting or celebrating our gorgeous beaches! These pieces can act as a reminder all year that paradise awaits on AMI. Head to a nearby gallery on the island or make the trip to the many artisans in Bradenton’s famous Village of the Arts!

Gift Certificates to Restaurant

Maybe you can’t sync schedules, you want to send a gift from afar, or you want to give a thoughtful recommendation to someone planning their next trip to Anna Maria… Gift certificates to local restaurants are especially a hit! You can send your recipient on a day out, date night, or dinner without even having to leave the house yourself! Plus, gift certificates are always valuable support for small businesses during the holidays.

A Vacation or Staycation on Anna Maria!

The BEST gift of all – some time on AMI. It’s been a long day (week, month, year, etc.) for everyone. Coming to the crystal clear waters and powdery-sand beaches of Anna Maria Island is the perfect vacation to kick back and unwind. Surprise your loved one by booking a vacation (or staycation) rental!

Toys For Tots!

Giving back is a major part that makes the holiday season so lovely. Toys for Tots is an incredible initiative that we at A Paradise are happy to partner with each and every year. Just drop off a toy to either our Ellenton or Anna Maria Island office to take part in making someone’s Christmas special!

Photos courtesy of Pexels.com

Volunteer Opportunities in the Anna Maria Area

Written by Staff on November 2, 2022. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info, Uncategorized.

It’s always important to give back to your community and to the communities you love, but especially as we enter the Holiday season! Part of what makes Anna Maria Island such a wonderful paradise is the kindness and care of the people who live and frequent here. Not to mention just inland, Bradenton is officially known as “The Friendly City.” A great way to ensure our Gulf Coast area remains so special is to find ways to give back! If you’re a local or just want to get more plugged-in to your favorite vacation town of AMI, we’ve rounded up just a few great volunteer organizations in the area!

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch & Shorebird Monitoring

AMITW has been coordinating conservation efforts since along the Manatee County shoreline since 1983. There are various ways for you to get involved: Become a Bird Steward, attend a Turtle Talk on Tuesday during summer or buy a Turtle License Plate.

Roser Food Pantry

The food pantry at Roser Church is the one place on Anna Maria Island where people experiencing financial hardship can come to receive free groceries. Volunteers are needed for May 2022 through April 2023 to help with sorting and organizing donated products. Volunteers are asked to cover on Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM for a specific week. The schedule is flexible and volunteers can choose dates best for them. If interested please let us know by completing the form below or call the church office at 941-778-0414.

Anna Maria Elementary

From Fall Festivals to Literacy Night to Peace Day – this beloved little school by the bay is a pillar of our Anna Maria community. The AME PTO does a great job of organizing so many special events for local students and they’re often looking for more support and eager volunteers: Be sure to fill out a District Volunteer form and confirm with the AME PTO website.

The Center of AMI

The Center of Anna Maria is focusing on the talents and skills of our community members and reaching out for your support. The Center’s goal is to offer effective training, offer interesting and meaningful work, provide a place for social connections to make new friends, and hopefully be a place to learn something new. For more information or if interested in volunteering please contact Jillian Ptak at customerservice@centerami.org, (941) 778-1908.

Keep Manatee Beautiful

Keep Manatee Beautiful brings together volunteers, businesses, and local governments to provide grassroots solutions to littering, illegal dumping, solid waste disposal, recycling, and beautification. All are welcome to help Keep Manatee Beautiful! Check out their events calendar for upcoming dates.

Toys for Tots and Santa Paws

These two causes are very near and dear to the hearts of our team and ones we look forward to year-after-year. Donating to Toys for Tots or Santa Paws is a tangible and trusted way to make a genuine difference this holiday season. The best part? Both our Ellenton and Anna Maria offices are drop-off spots for these causes! Stop on by with an unwrapped gift to either of our offices and we’d be thrilled to pass it on to those who need it most.

www.VisitAParadise.com

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Our A Paradise team prioritizes taking part in fun events for great causes. If you’d like to join us for the latest and greatest charitable events, be sure to follow us on Facebook for updates!

Photos Courtesy of Pexels

Celebrate 4th of July near AMI

Written by Paradise Realty Staff on June 29, 2021. Posted in Anna Maria Island, Blog, Info.

Time to gather your favorite red, white, and blue getup because it’s almost time for the 4th of July! Thankfully this year there are so many fun events planned so get your sparklers and grills ready! We’ve compiled a list of just a few of the big events planned in the surrounding cities to help celebrate Independence Day in the Anna Maria-Bradenton-Sarasota area with a bang.

ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND

First off, while there are no big fireworks shows launching from Anna Maria beaches, there is another family-friendly and safe way to celebrate the 4th on AMI!

With the support of Holmes Beach city leaders, the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ 4th of July Processional is officially back!

This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, July 3, taking off at 10 a.m. from Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and continuing down Gulf Drive to Pine Avenue and ending at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria. The event is free and open to all families and friends! Just snag a safe spot on the parade route and get ready to wave!

Whether you then plan to head to the beach, hop on a boat, or take a dip in the pool, Anna Maria provides the perfect location to bask in the beauty of paradise. Keep in mind, fireworks should be left to professionals… especially at the beach! Lighting personal fireworks on Manatee County beaches is illegal and can disturb or harm wildlife, including threatened and endangered sea turtles and sea birds. So have fun but please, stay safe and respect our animal & human neighbors.

Palmetto has booked superstar Wynonna Judd and her band The Big Noise to headline this year’s Palmetto Fourth Fest at Sutton Park.

ON THE MAINLAND

In addition to live music, local vendors will be set up at the event offering food and drink.

The festival is free to attend. There’s no reserved seating, so head to the park early with your lawn chairs to stake out a spot. Personal coolers, food and drinks are allowed; alcohol is not.

A fireworks show over the Manatee River sponsored by Palmetto, Bradenton and Manatee County will follow the concert.

Details: Fourth Fest kicks off at 5 p.m. July 4. Fireworks begin around 9:30 p.m. Sutton Park, 1036 Sixth St. W., Palmetto.

MANATEE RIVER FIREWORKS SHOW

Palmetto and Bradenton share the love on the Fourth of July with a fireworks display that is visible on both sides of the Manatee River. So grab a spot on the Bradenton Riverwalk, Riverside Drive, a waterfront restaurant or a friend’s boat deck to enjoy the show. There are plenty of locations that give a great view of this spectacular annual fireworks show!

Details: Fireworks are set to begin around 9:30 p.m. July 4 over the Manatee River.

IN SARASOTA/SIESTA KEY

If you want a front-row seat to fireworks near the beach, Siesta Key’s annual fireworks show may be the one for you. The show launches around dusk from near Siesta Key Public Beach and is free to the public.

Details: Fireworks set to launch at dusk on July 4 at Siesta Key Public Beach.

Info on their website.

The Sarasota Bayfront fireworks show is back this year to light up downtown and Sarasota Bay. The fireworks show is the grand finale of the Suncoast Summer Fest , which is set to take place from June 24-July 4 and includes powerboat races and other community events.

Details: Fireworks to launch around 9 p.m. July 4 from near Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Dr., Sarasota.

Whatever you decide to do this 4th of July, we hope you spend it soaking up some sun and with loved ones! God bless America.

Photos courtesy of unsplash