Your ticket purchases help.

Charities often gain funding assistance through events like annual golf tournaments and “My Hometown Fest.” Sertoma Kids is no different.

This means your ticket isn’t just getting you an awesome festival experience, it’s also helping a very, very good cause.

Philanthropy & charitable causes: The heart of My Hometown Fest

When people Google (or Bing) “My Hometown Fest Charities,” they’re usually looking to make a difference. They know that behind the live music, craft beer, and bold flavors…

…My Hometown Fest 2026 is powered by something far bigger: a community of people who care.

MHF is the annual signature fundraiser of the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota, (a local nonprofit that has been serving our area since 1956).

So, every ticket you purchase, every beer you sample, every band you applaud fuels the programs and services that change lives for children with speech, language, and hearing challenges.

Why we do what we do

Since its founding, the Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota has lived by this guiding principle, “Service To Mankind.”

Over nearly seven decades, Sertoma has become the bedrock of local philanthropy.

It continues to blossom by raising funds, lending hands, and lifting up those who need it most. My Hometown Fest is our way of weaving Sarasota’s love for food, music, and fun into a powerful force for good.

So, when you attend My Hometown Fest you’re directly supporting programs that transform children’s lives right here in our community.

Sertoma Kids (Therapy that feels like play)

We’ve covered this on various parts of the site already, but just to give some further perspective, let’s dive deeper.

One of the most exciting parts of our charitable mission is Sertoma Kids, a nonprofit pediatric speech and language clinic serving Sarasota and surrounding areas.

Sertoma Kids offers speech-language and occupational therapy to children with communication disorders and hearing impairments… at low or no cost to families who need it most.

Under the leadership of Clinical Director Pam Plank, Sertoma Kids has become a model for compassionate, kid-centered care.

Pam’s passion for helping children communicate is contagious; she and her team believe therapy shouldn’t feel like a chore.

Instead, they integrate play into therapy sessions, making them fun, engaging, and effective. This play-based approach means children are more motivated, more relaxed, and more likely to make progress.

Parents frequently say their child looks forward to the therapy… something unheard of in many clinical settings. The results are improved speech, stronger confidence, and a brighter future for kids who might otherwise struggle to find their voice.

Pretty great, in our opinion.

How My Hometown Fest powers change

Every dollar raised at My Hometown Fest goes straight back into local charitable causes (most notably Sertoma Kids.)

Your ticket, your sponsorship, your volunteering, etc. all translates into therapy sessions, hearing assessments, and support services for families who can’t afford them.

In practical terms, that means:

• A child with a severe speech delay receives weekly one-on-one therapy.
• A family struggling financially gets access to an evaluation that would otherwise cost hundreds of dollars.
• A local child with a hearing impairment receives assistive technology that opens up a whole new world.

When you step through the gates of My Hometown Fest, you’re stepping into a community of generosity that’s been building since 1956.

The power of community partnerships

Just so you know, our philanthropic work doesn’t stop at Sertoma Kids.

The Sertoma Club of Greater Sarasota also partners with other local nonprofits to amplify impact.

This includes funding scholarships, supporting community projects, and lending our expertise to initiatives that align with our mission of “Service To Mankind.”

Collaborative spirit matters, and mirrors MHF itself.

Just as My Hometown Fest brings together dozens of food vendors, breweries, and bands…

…our charitable mission brings together donors, volunteers, and local leaders to create something bigger than any of us could achieve alone.

Your ticket = A child’s future

It’s easy to overlook the philanthropic side of festivals, but at My Hometown Fest, it’s woven into every bite, sip, and song. Because, by attending, you’re…

• Funding speech-language therapy for local kids.
• Supporting hearing screenings and interventions for children in need.
• Empowering Sertoma Kids to expand its services and innovate its therapy programs.
• Continuing a 69-year tradition of Sarasota’s community service through Sertoma.

And contribution of any kind may have deeper impact that supporting good causes.

It’s also about investing in our hometown’s future. When children can communicate clearly, they thrive socially and academically, creating ripples of positive change throughout the entire community.

So be part of the story

As you plan your visit to My Hometown Fest 2026, remember that you’re joining a legacy of giving.

You’re fueling a clinic where therapy feels like play.

You’re helping a child find their voice.

So come hungry. Come thirsty. Come ready to dance. And know that every moment of joy you experience is mirrored by a moment of hope you’re creating for a local family.

🎟️ Get your tickets now. Experience the best of Sarasota and help build a brighter future for kids in need.