ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Jim McDaniel will serve as the next president of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island.
Succeeding current president Laurie Beppler and serving a one-year term that begins on July 1, McDaniel was installed as incoming president during the club’s June 3 board meeting at the Beach House restaurant in Bradenton Beach. McDaniel previously served as the club president from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023.
president by President Laurie Beppler on June 3. – AMI Rotary Club | Submitted
On June 7, while attending the Rotary District 6960 annual conference at the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island received the Small Club of the Year award for the club’s post-hurricane relief efforts in Cortez in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Several club members received Disaster Relief Champion awards and Slicker’s Eatery owner Bob Slicker, who was unable to attend the conference, won the prestigious districtwide Service Above Self award.
“It’s a testament to the group and its willingness to dive in and make good things happen,” McDaniel said.
During his previous stint as club president, McDaniel and Slicker helped the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island raise more than $100,000 to support the war-related humanitarian efforts in Ukraine while also assisting 10 other club causes. The AMI Rotary Club supports several events and activities associated with Anna Maria Elementary School and the club’s inaugural Reel for Rotary fishing tournament that recently raised $25,000 for the continued support of the Cortez community.
Described by McDaniel as “The little club with big ideas, making a difference locally and globally,” the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club is part of the Rotary International organization whose motto is “Service above self” and its seven areas of focus are promoting peace, fighting disease, providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene, saving mothers and children, supporting education, growing local economies and protecting the environment.
For information about club membership and Rotary Club activities, contact McDaniel at Jim.mcdaniel2012@gmail.com.
