4th annual Sheriff’s Office open house set for Dec. 10

Hours will be 2 to 6 p.m. at headquarters on Cattleridge Boulevard in Sarasota

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will hold its fourth annual open house on Saturday, Dec. 10, from 2 to 6 p.m., Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman has announced.

Residents are invited to visit the agency’s headquarters “to enjoy a free, family-friendly event with food, music, demonstrations, and giveaways,” a news release says.

The Sheriff’s Office headquarters is located at 6010 Cattleridge Blvd. in Sarasota. “Parking is limited,” the release points out, “so attendees are encouraged to carpool if possible.

“Members of the agency’s SWAT and Emergency Response teams, Mounted Patrol, K-9, and Aviation units, among others, will display their equipment, offering attendees an inside look at the Special Operations Bureau,” the release adds. “The Human Resources and Emergency Operations Bureaus will provide information about career opportunities, and the agency’s Animal Services Section will bring adoptable animals. Santa Claus also will make an appearance,” the release notes.

The annual open house will coincide with the agency’s sixth annual Holiday Toy Drive benefitting the 12th Judicial Circuit of Florida’s Guardian ad Litem program, Teen Court of Sarasota, and All Star Children’s Foundation, the release adds. The first 500 people to donate a new, unwrapped toy or gift card during the open house will receive a free Sheriff’s office T-shirt, the release says. “Clothing and stuffed animals will not be accepted,” the release emphasizes. Further, the T-shirts will be limited to one per person per gift, the release adds.

“This event has truly become one of the highlights of our year,” Community Affairs Director Kaitlyn Perez said in the release. “What began as a ribbon cutting in 2017 has evolved into a massive, annual event that celebrates the connection we have with the community we serve,” she added in the release.

“It is our pleasure to welcome the community to our headquarters for this celebration each year,” said Sheriff Hoffman in the release. “Coming together to have fun and enjoy the holiday season is special, but the real gift is working with the citizens of Sarasota County to collect toys for those in need and make the holidays bright for as many children as possible,” he pointed out in the release.

Sponsorship opportunities are available, the release says. For more information, contact the agency’s Community Affairs Office at 941-861-4005.