SARASOTA, Fla. (June 2026) – This summer, Gecko's Hospitality Group is inviting the

community to help put more books into the hands of local children through a partnership with

Bernie's Book Bank Suncoast.

The Summer Book Drive began June 15 at Gecko's Sarasota locations and will expand to

Manatee County locations beginning July 1. Community members are encouraged to donate new

or gently used children's books for readers from birth through sixth grade through July 31.

Donation boxes are located near the front entrance of each participating restaurant, making it

easy for guests, families and community members to contribute during a visit.

"One of the things we love most about being part of this community is finding ways to bring

people together for a good cause," said Fiona Farrell, chief operating officer of Gecko's

Hospitality Group. "Many families have children's books sitting on shelves that could make a

real difference for another child. This book drive gives those stories a second life while helping

more young readers build a library of their own."

Once collected, Bernie's Book Bank Suncoast will coordinate pickup and distribution to children

throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Bernie's Book Bank Suncoast serves 25 Title I schools throughout Sarasota and Manatee

counties, as well as organizations including Children First Head Start and Big Brothers Big

Sisters of the Sun Coast. Each child served receives four books annually.

"We know that children are far more likely to become lifelong readers when they have books of

their own at home," said Amy Bott, executive director of Bernie's Book Bank Suncoast. "By

making donation opportunities available throughout the community, partnerships like this help

ensure more children have access to books that inspire them to learn, dream and grow."

The initiative reflects Gecko's ongoing commitment to supporting local schools, families and

nonprofit organizations. For more than 30 years, the locally owned hospitality group has

partnered with community organizations throughout the region to create meaningful impact

beyond its restaurant walls.

For more information about Gecko's Grill & Pub, visit www.geckosgrill.com

For more information about Bernie's Book Bank Suncoast, visit www.berniesbookbank.org

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Founded in 1992 by Mike Gowan and Mike Quillen,

Gecko's Hospitality Group is a locally owned family of

restaurants serving Sarasota and Manatee counties. The

group includes six Gecko's Grill & Pub locations, Dry

Dock Waterfront Grill, Dockside Waterfront Grill,

Tripletail Seafood & Spirits, and Red Barn Bar. Known

for exceptional hospitality, fresh locally sourced fare,

and a deep commitment to community involvement,

Gecko's Hospitality Group supports hundreds of

charitable and educational initiatives throughout the

region each year. For more information, visit:

https://geckosgrill.com/

Founded as a 501(c)(3) in September 2009, Bernie’s Book Bank

transforms children’s lives through book ownership by sourcing,

processing, and distributing free high-quality books to children

who need them most. Founded by Brian Floriani in 2009, it was

inspired by his father, Dr. Bernard P. Floriani, who, never without

a book, read his way to a better life. Sixteen years later, we’ve

gotten over 30 million children’s books into children’s

homes. Funded by generous donors and committed companies and

fueled by a passionate team of partners and volunteers, we believe

better futures begin with books. Bernie’s Book Bank participated

in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), carried out by an

independent researcher over a five-year period (2018-2023), the

results of which were recently published in the prestigious

academic journal Proceedings of the National Academy of

Sciences (PNAS). Learn more at berniesbookank.org