Anna Maria Elementary PTO seeks sponsorships

The Anna Maria Island Elementary School PTO is seeking funds through sponsors to help with costs of 2023-24 school year activities.

BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – The Anna Maria Elementary School (AME) Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is currently seeking sponsors to help with the cost of activities for the 2023-24 school year.

The PTO helps with more than a dozen activities each year, funded by the generosity of parents, local businesses and corporations. No county funds are used for activities such as the Old Hollywood Spring Gala, Princess Ball, Boys Night Out, PTO Dinners and many more activities that suit students, parents and teachers.

“We are introducing a new year-long sponsorship program for AME. It is our hope that this campaign will fund our programming and needs for the year and this will be our only ask for your support this school year,” AME PTO President Jen Serra said. “If you have been a supporter of ours in the past, please consider matching your multiple donations throughout the year with this one gift.”

Serra said these efforts will also provide resources like reading software programs, new playground equipment, classroom and teacher support and even field trips.

“This program also allows for greater sponsorship visibility for our business partners, as they will be recognized at all PTO events, large and small, in various ways,” Serra said.

For further information and to obtain a sponsorship application, visit https://amepto.org/amesponsor.

Bayfest is back

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce has announced the return of Bayfest in Anna Maria, one of the biggest and longest-running events annually on Anna Maria Island. Bayfest 2023 will take place on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria on Saturday, Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., and will include live music from the area’s most popular bands (to be announced), arts and crafts, vendors, a car show and much more for the whole family. Admission is free, and Pine Avenue will be closed for the day to accommodate the festival. Visit www.amichamber. org for vendor and sponsor information.

Chamber to host first breakfast of July

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its July breakfast event on Thursday, July 6 from 7-9 a.m. at Breakfast at Victorias, 5315 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. This is an excellent opportunity to network with chamber members. The fee is $15 for members and $25 for prospective members. RSVP to info@amichamber.org or call 941-778-1541 to secure a spot. Bring a raffle prize and your business will be named, and bring business cards to share.

Chamber luncheon at Pesto

The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce will hold its next luncheon on Thursday, July 13 from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at Pesto Bistro & Wine Bar, 8799 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. The fee is $22 for chamber members and $30 for prospective members. Bring business cards and network with area business owners and managers. RSVP is required. Call 941-778-1541 or email ingrid@ amichamber.org.