Finding Our Way Forward: Drag Queens, Artsy Masks, Food Giveaways

FLORIDA — The coronavirus pandemic brought tragedy and uncertainty to the lives of many Floridians in 2020. The shutdown brought civic life and commerce to a standstill for months.

Despite this, residents found heartfelt and creative ways to rally their communities and recover. Here are some of the top “Finding Our Way Forward” stories published by Florida Patch last year.

Teen Sisters’ Efforts To Feed Hungry Attracts NFL Star

The Belleair Police Department and the Mike Alstott Family Foundation donated money to supply Christmas dinners to Feeding the Fosters Inc. The organization was founded by two teen Clearwater sisters.

FL’s Oldest VFW Saved By Drag Queens And St. Pete Community

A diverse community came together to save the third-oldest Veterans of Foreign Wars building in the world, located in St. Petersburg, in September.

‘A Festival Under One Roof’: Coastal Flow Features 35 Artists

Coastal Flow on Siesta Key offers a range of artwork and decorative items with a beachy, coastal theme. The shop opened after Florida’s art festival circuit was disrupted by the pandemic.

After Studio Shuts Down In NYC, FL Business Owner Tries Again

After the coronavirus pandemic closed a woman’s New York City business, she ventured to St. Petersburg and opened a Pilates studio.

90 Uplifting Notes Distributed To Connect St. Pete Strangers

Lauren Hubbard was inspired by the Junior League of St. Petersburg to distribute 90 handwritten notes of gratitude to strangers over the summer.

Businesses Help Shed Light On Invictus Academy

In November, City Electric Supply’s New Port Richey branch members and other volunteers spent 11 replacing 104 lights for a nonprofit that teaches students with motor and sensory differences.

$123,000 Raised For Families In Need By TB Rays And Duke Energy

For every home run the Tampa Bay Rays hit last season, Duke Energy donated up to $2,000 to support 211 Tampa Bay Cares, a free service helping families in need.

Miami Book Fair Goes Virtual This Year

For 37 years, the Miami Book Fair has connected South Florida's readers with authors and others in the publishing world. Typically, the event takes place in person over two long weekends in November. The 2020 book fair looked a little bit different as it was forced to go virtual because of the coronavirus.

Armature Works To Host Socially Distant Drive-In Movie Each Night

In Tampa’s the Heights District, Armature Works began offering families a contact-free movie experience in October by teaming up with Rooftop Cinema Club.

Book + Bottle Overcomes Business Challenges During COVID-19

After opening a downtown St. Petersburg book and wine bar in March and being forced to close days later because of Florida's Phase 1 restrictions at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, Book + Bottle owner Terra Dunham, did not have time to live in fear of losing her business.

Eclectic Mask Creations By St. Pete Artists To Benefit Community

A mask arts project was on display in downtown St. Petersburg in July and featured eccentric mask creations from artists of all ages. Beyond offering eye-catching works of art that residents could purchase, it had a more practical benefit of urging people to wear masks to help stem the spread of the coronavirus.

St. Pete Bartender Makes Coronavirus Masks Out Of Liquor Bags

A St. Pete bartender found himself low on funds after bars closed during the pandemic but came up with creative ways to supplement his loss of cash.

Sheriff’s Unit To Tackle Mental Health Repercussions Of Pandemic

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office formed its new Behavioral Resources Unit in October.

Son And Mom Help Small Businesses In St. Pete With Masks

After 15 years of keeping busy with work in the men's fashion industry, a St. Petersburg resident found his passion coming to a screeching halt in March. But he didn't allow panic from the coronavirus pandemic to overcome him. Instead, 30-year-old Sam Baron had a bigger picture than himself and used his fashion design talents to help St. Pete businesses.

Drive-Through Halloween Event Gives South Lime Avenue A Scare

A creative Sarasota couple used animatronics, projection mapping, kinetic sculptures and other artistic methods to set up a free drive-through Halloween event.

Aging Services Rolls Out Partnership With Food Trucks, Eateries

Hillsborough County food trucks and restaurants helped to provide senior citizens at home alone during the pandemic with hot meals.

‘Just Write! Lakeland’ Keeps The Show Moving Virtually

A playwriting group in Lakeland that focuses on helping writers improve their performance work organized a virtual show over the summer.

St. Petersburg College Professor Donates Hundreds Of Shoes To Kids

Jacques Hakim, who grew up poor in Lebanon, said getting a new pair of shoes when school started was “transformative.”

Comedy, Axe-Throwing, Legos: Revitalized Mall Will Have It All

Six weeks after purchasing the Holiday Mall in September, Mishorim Gold Properties signed on five new tenants to the shopping complex, infusing the area with activities and offerings never seen before. The new tenants are Side Splitters Comedy Club, Bay Coffee Company, The Brick Jungle, Chicago Bar & Bistro and an axe-throwing range.

Mother, Son Bond Through Art That Spreads Message Of Hope

At a time when the world is encouraged to be socially distant, a Dunedin mother and son have found a way to grow closer through wearable art that carries a message of hope and kindness.

Meals On Wheels Maintains Mission While Adapting To Coronavirus

The organization continued to provide nutritious meals to its 850 Hillsborough County recipients during the pandemic. It just changed the way it did it.

Mother, Daughter Coffee Shop Bucks Pandemic Shutdowns

A mother-daughter duo opened their second St. Pete coffee shop in the midst of the pandemic, and after one business had to close.

Fashion Store Worked Around Closing Orders Using Instagram

Detox, Designer Resale Boutique in St. Petersburg made up for a slump in-store sales suffered after it was temporarily closed for 30 days at the start of the coronavirus pandemic selling its clothes through Instagram Stories.