It's time to 'Fall for Sarasota' and support more than 200 nonprofits

There's a great story worth sharing that applies to this month's column. Many of you may have heard it before - "The Starfish Story" (adapted from The Star Thrower by Loren Eiseley) - but I think it's worth repeatng.

One day a man was walking along the beach when he notices a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean. Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"

The youth replied, "throwing a starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up, and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they will die."

"Son," the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said ... "I made a difference for that one."

This story is truly inspiring and made me think about the difference that the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is making by building a strong community thanks to the work of our nonprofits.

For close to 102 years, the Sarasota Chamber has given back to the community of Sarasota. Everything we do is focused on strengthening our local economy through connects, promoting opportunities for engagement, providing education and training, and supporting industries that provide jobs to create a better way of life. We support and collaborate with over 200 local nonprofits that are members of the Chamber, providing a platform to connect with donors, members, and volunteers. Through the work of Chamber programs, including CareerEdge, our workforce and talent initiative; our minority intern and business grant program, Opportunities for All; and Sarasota and Young Professional groups, we seek to make a difference throughout our diverse community.

I'd like to invite you to pick up a starfish in the form of your time. On Friday, Sept. 23, the Chamber is hosting "Fall for Sarasota," presented by Sam's Club.

See the full story, as published in the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, here.