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"What we need are balanced and focused solutions that address our inevitable growth without jeopardizing the economic stability of our residents and ultimately our community". Diana Shoemaker
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Opportunities to Donate, Volunteer and Participate
April 2024
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Embracing Our Differences Exhibition Tour
Sunday, April 7, 1:00 pm
Bayfront Park, 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota (Park entrance is at the corner of Ringling Blvd and Bayfront Drive).
Embracing Our Differences uses the power of art and prose to promote inclusion, kindness and respect. One way this is accomplished is through the annual international art exhibition at Sarasota’s Bayfront Park. The juried exhibit consists of 50 billboard-sized works of art, each accompanied by a thought-provoking quotation.
The Manatee LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus has arranged a guided tour of the exhibition.
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Hands Across the Sand Rally
Saturday, April 13, 3:00 pm
Manatee Public Beach, 4000 SR64 and Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach
Gathering point will be the white tent north of the entrance.
Our beautiful island cities are under attack by lawmakers who want to usurp local control. The purpose of the rally is to save Florida home rule.
Attend the rally. Send the message that residents and visitors love AMI the way it is. Insist on keeping the three Anna Maria Island cities intact. For more information contact Barbara Ehren.
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Caucus to Select Delegates to the Democratic National Convention
Thursday, April 18, 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 20, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm
Caucus locations in Manatee County: The New Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Lakewood Ranch, and the Manatee County Democratic Party Office, 435 Cortez Road West, Bradenton
Florida's 16th congressional district, which includes all of Manatee County and part of Hillsborough County, will be represented at the national convention by two men and three women formally elected by Democrats in the district. The caucus is the Democratic Party run election. To be eligible to vote, you must be a registered Democrat residing in the 16th Congressional District. Voters show up, sign in, declare which presidential candidate they support, and receive a ballot for that candidate's district level delegate candidates. The votes are tallied. The winners go to the convention. Participate in the Caucus. Help select our convention delegates.
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Florida Right to Clean Water Petition Tabling Event
Saturday, April 20, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Trinity United Methodist Church, 3200 Manatee Ave W., Bradenton
Keep Manatee Beautiful is holding an Earth Day event at the Trinity United Methodist Church. They will plant a new garden and give away 100 trees through the Bradenton Tree and Land Preservation Board.
We have been granted permission to set up a non-partisan Clean Water petition signing table at the event. This will launch our drive to get the Clean Water Amendment on the 2026 ballot. Please consider volunteering for a two-hour shift.
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Manatee Democratic Club
Thursday, April 4, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm
Peridia Golf & Country Club, 4950 Peridia Blvd E, Bradenton
The speakers at our April Luncheon will be Anna Drallios and John VanCamp of the Social Justice Alliance of the Florida Suncoast (SJAFS). The group's mission is to foster an equitable and inclusive society. Their topic will be Book Banning and the Right to Read.
The cost of the luncheon is $15 payable at the door by cash or check (made out to Manatee Democratic Club). To register for the luncheon email Paul Dain at [email protected].
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Lakewood Ranch Democratic Club
Monday, April 8, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Bradenton
Let's talk politics with two smart women! The speakers at the April meeting will be Heather Felton candidate for Manatee County School Board district 1 and Jan Schneider candidate for Florida's 16th congressional district. A wide-ranging Q & A will follow their presentations.
If you plan to attend, email Lucy Lapides at [email protected].
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Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Manatee County
Monday, April 8, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
IHOP, 6320 Fl-64 East, Bradenton and Online
The Hispanic Democratic Caucus will conduct its April business meeting at the SR64 IHOP. Meeting topic TBA. New members are always welcome.
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Manatee Democratic Progressive Caucus
Wednesday, April 10, 6:15 pm .... Online
The agenda includes planning for the Manasota Attainable Housing Coalition taking its first applications for housing, a 2024 election volunteers update and an update of 2024 paid memberships.
Email Steve Ryan for meeting link no later than noon on April 7.
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Democratic Women's Club of Manatee County
Thursday, April 11, 11:00 am to 1:30 pm
Peridia Golf and Country Club, 4950 Peridia Blvd E, Bradenton
The speaker at our April Luncheon will be a representative from the Manatee County League of Women Voters. The topic will be the good, the bad and the very bad of legislation passed this year in Florida.
The cost of the luncheon is $20.00. Reservation is requested. For more information Contact Joanie LeBaron.
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Manatee Democratic Environmental Caucus
Thursday, April 11, 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm ... Online
Featured speaker: Abbey Tyrna, Executive Director of Suncoast Waterkeeper. Abbey plans to provide an update on current issues and will discuss how citizens can become more informed and engaged.
For more information contact [email protected].
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Anna Maria Island and West Manatee Democratic Club
Monday, April 15, 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Dr, Holmes Beach
Featured Speaker: George W. Kruse. George Kruse is a current at-large County Commissioner in Manatee County.
Meeting topic: Home Rule: A County Commissioner’s Perspective.
AMI and West Manatee residents have followed with great concern the erosion of local control in our cities. Our club continues to gather information and host conversations across Party lines to determine the actions we might take to make our voices heard. We invited Commissioner Kruse to share his views on home rule.
Contact Barbara Beckwith for more information. If not a club member, please consider joining. Dues are $25.
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Manatee Dems at the Food Bank of Manatee
Tuesday, April 16, 8:30 am to 11:00 am
Meals on Wheels Plus, 811 23rd Ave E, Bradenton
Help sort and pack bags of fresh produce for Mobile Produce Pantry distributions. These fruits and vegetables provide needed nutrients to Manatee County children and families. No heavy lifting. Seating is available if needed.
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Manatee LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus
Wednesday, April 17, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Manatee County Democratic HQ, 435 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton
Chris Wetherington, Manatee County Democratic Party Chair, will be guest speaker at our April meeting. All are welcome!
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Take Action II in Manatee County
Saturday, April 20, 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm
Palmetto Branch Library Auditorium, 923 6th St W, Palmetto
Neighbors Discussing Issues:
Join your neighborhood group. Learn about volunteer opportunities, vote by mail and voter registration.
Learn what you can do to support candidates willing to address local concerns such as development, the environment, traffic and home rule. Meet the candidates and Party leadership. For more information contact Tim and Kate Eiseler.
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Manatee Democratic Executive Committee Meeting
Tuesday, April 23, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Manatee County Democratic HQ, 435 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton and Online
All Democrats are welcome at the monthly DEC meeting. Program TBA. In person attendance is encouraged to develop working relationships between members.
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Manatee County Democratic Black Caucus
Thursday, April 25, 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm ... Online
Topic for the April meeting TBA. For more information contact [email protected].
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Precincts Team Meeting for Districts 4 and 5
Saturday, April 27, 10:30 am to noon
Lakewood Ranch Public Library, Rm A, 16410 Rangeland Pkwy, Lakewood Ranch
Join us to discuss neighborhood networking strategies, goals and action items preparing us for the 2024 election. Open to all.
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Become a Voter Registration Tabling - Canvassing Volunteer | |
In this election year, it is critical that we be out in the community encouraging people to register to vote and showing them how it is done. This is essential to our election success in 2024. We work as a team. Training is provided. | |
Become an Office Volunteer | |
There are a wide variety of volunteer opportunities at our Party Headquarters. There is phone work, greeting walk-ins, doing data entry, helping with petition drives and preparing packets for tabling events and distribution. You can make your contribution to this critical 2024 election season by donating only a couple of hours a week. | |
Call Manatee Democrats for Vote by Mail | |
Make calls from home or our Manatee Dem office. All you need is a phone and a laptop, tablet or PC at home, or come to our headquarters where we have all that is required. (See office location and hours below.) | |
Working in partnership with Temple Beth El Bradenton/Lakewood Ranch, we will deliver any health and beauty aids brought to Party Headquarters during office hours to Our Daily Bread food pantry. | |
Manatee County Animal Welfare at 305 25th St W, Palmetto, accepts unopened dog/cat food for their community food pantry. Community members in need rely on the food pantry to feed their pets. Inventory is extremely low. We will be collecting pet food at Party HQ during office hours in an effort to help. | |
The Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Manatee will be collecting small toys for children (e.g. new or gently used Beanie Babies, crayons, coloring books, etc.). These donations will go to RCMA Palmetto Child Development Center. Donations can be brought to Party Headquarters during office hours. Monetary donations, for the purchase of children's toothbrushes and toothpaste, can be sent to the Hispanic Caucus via Zelle to [email protected]. For more information contact Patricia Devilliers. | |
Democratic Party Headquarters is located at 435 Cortez Rd. Office hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4:00 pm, Thursday from noon to 2:00 pm and Saturday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm. | |
Sign Up for the Mailing List | |
If you are not currently on our mailing list and would like to keep up with all that is happening with the Manatee Democrats, sign up for our mailing list HERE. | |
Donate to the Manatee County Democrats | | |
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We are a 100% volunteer organization and count on you to keep our operations going and Get Out The Vote initiatives thriving. Thank you! | |
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