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Concert for Peace returns in June

Concert for Peace returns in June

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Music.

CORTEZ – Cortez restauranteur Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery, is once again gathering members of the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club and the community to raise money with a Concert for Peace. The second annual event is being held to help the people of Ukraine whose lives have been upended by the ongoing war with Russia.

Slicker, who became passionate about helping the people of Ukraine after watching the war begin to unfold in 2022, vowed to do whatever he could to help get supplies to the people who needed them desperately. His first Concert for Peace, held in June of 2022, raised more than $50,000, 100% of which went to supplies such as medical needs and refrigerators.

The second annual Concert for Peace will take place Saturday, June 10 at The Center of Anna Maria Island. The concert will be free and open to the public and feature musical acts the Eric Von Band and Trevor Bystrom, with money being raised through sales of food, drinks, raffle items, t-shirts and sponsorships. The AMI Rotary Club will take the proceeds and work with their Rotary partner in Poland to purchase supplies and get them into the areas of Ukraine where they are most needed.

“I went over there and saw first-hand how difficult these people have it due to the war,” Slicker said. These are just normal people who get up and go to work just like you and I, then one day their lives are upended. I went to apartment buildings where not only are multiple people sharing community refrigerators, but often multiple families have to share one shelf of a fridge.”

“The Rotary can be trusted to get the job done,” AMI Rotary President Jim McDaniel said. “There are only two seats in the United Nations that don’t belong to individual countries. One is the Red Cross and the other is Rotary.”

Sponsors are still signing on, so there is no complete list yet, but in addition to Slicker’s and the Rotary, Painting with a Twist will hold another “Painting with a Purpose” event at Slickers on June 4. More fundraising events are anticipated to be announced on Facebook in the coming weeks.

For information on becoming a sponsor, making a financial donation or the Concert for Peace, visit the Campaign for Ukraine Facebook page or email campaignforukraineami@gmail.com.

AMI Rotary’s youth program a ‘swimming’ success

AMI Rotary’s youth program a ‘swimming’ success

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

BRADENTON – While enjoying a swim in the water surrounding Anna Maria Island or taking a swim in a warm pool is the norm for most people living on the Island, many would be surprised to hear there are children who live only a few miles away who have never seen the Gulf of Mexico or been in a swimming pool.

Armed with this knowledge, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island is doing its part to make sure at-risk children have the chance to learn how to swim and learn the basics of water safety. 

“There are over a million swimming pools in Florida, and the state ranks #1 in the number of small children who drown,” said Dennis Schuermann, treasurer of AMI Rotary. “It’s our mission to change this, and educate at-risk and disadvantaged kids who otherwise wouldn’t be exposed to water safety and swimming lessons.”

The Rotary also says for every child that drowns, five more require rescue from life-threatening water accidents. According to a study by the USA Swimming Foundation, about 70% of African Americans do not know how to swim, and 10 people drown in the United States every day. AMI Rotary finds these statistics unacceptable, and while they admit they can’t change this nationally or even for the entire state, there is plenty they can do locally with their Water Safety/Learn to Swim Program. 

“It’s such a joy to watch the progress made in just the first week of lessons,” said Judy Run, who’s been running the program for several years. “The atmosphere in the pool is so visible, happy faces eagerly awaiting their turn with the instructor. Some of the kids have never seen the ocean or been in a pool, so to see them develop a comfort level and feel more confident each day is something to see.”

Although this is the fifth year of the program, it was on hiatus for the past two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they received some grants, most of the money raised comes directly from AMI Rotary fundraising efforts, including their annual golf tournament. At $80 per child, and a goal next year of 100 children, this is an expensive endeavor, but Rotarians believe it is a most worthy cause, and have no plans to slow down.

The Rotary is also excited about Florida Senate Bill 364, which was signed into law on Oct. 8, 2021 by Gov. Ron DeSantis. The law makes available a new specialty license plate benefiting the Florida Swims Foundation. After the signing of the bill, swimming and pool industry leaders from the Pool & Hot Tub Foundation (PHTF), the Florida Swimming Pool Association (FSPA) and the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) announced a joint partnership to help combat drowning in the state. Proceeds from the license plate will further the cause.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the Water Safety/Learn to Swim Program can mail a check to The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island Foundation Inc. The address is P.O. Box 1344, Holmes Beach, Florida 34218.

Slicker and Rotary Club sell out Ukraine fundraiser

Slicker, Rotary Club sell out Ukraine fundraiser

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Entertainment, Events.

CORTEZ – It was another big success for the effort to raise money for the people of Ukraine as Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery, sold out his latest fundraising event while also celebrating his 60th birthday.

The Trolley for Peace on Aug. 13 traveled to four local restaurants and bars. For a ticket price of $75, riders rode two trolleys that made stops at R.J. Gators, Slicker’s Eatery, Clancy’s Irish Pub and 88 Live Piano Bar. In addition to the funds raised from the price of the trip, each bar had a raffle giveaway to help raise even more money for the war relief effort in Ukraine.

“After the last event, the Concert for Peace, I thought gosh, what’s the next thing we’re going to do,” Slicker said. “I knew my birthday was coming up. Today is actually my 60th birthday and I always like to do some sort of thing for charity on my birthday and this year it happened to coincide with our campaign for Ukraine.”

Slicker says this effort wouldn’t be possible without the help of the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island. After meeting the Rotary members when they held a meeting at Slicker’s Eatery earlier this year, the relationship quickly grew into an effort that has sent tens of thousands of dollars to assist in relief efforts in Ukraine. Desperately needed items such as refrigerators, washing machines and medical supplies are being delivered to people who are living with virtually nothing in a war zone. Relationships with Rotary clubs in Poland and Ukraine make it possible to not only assure the funds are accounted for, but the supplies are able to be physically delivered where they are needed most.

Slicker recently visited Poland and Ukraine, meeting some of the people affected by the war firsthand.

“We visited flats where they have as many as seven people living in one apartment and they are allowed one shelf per flat in the communal refrigerators,” Slicker said. “Imagine having only one shelf in a fridge for an entire large family, but they are very grateful to even have that. We want to buy more fridges, more washers and dryers. We have a lot more to do.”

Slicker and Rotary Club sell out Ukraine fundraiser
Sixty-four people arrive at Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez via two trolleys for the Trolley for Peace Ukraine fundraising event. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

The Concert for Peace in June raised more than $50,000 and, while the totals are not yet in for the Trolley for Peace, Slicker expects this event to exceed $10,000 additional dollars, 100% of which will go to send supplies to the people of Ukraine. In addition to the multiple refugee centers they are working with, Slicker says they want to help provide some bulletproof vests to those in the most dangerous areas in addition to the refrigerators and other needed items.

AMI Rotary President Jim McDaniel echoed Slicker’s assessment that things in the region have been getting more difficult in recent weeks.

“We’re getting word that things are getting tougher over there from the president of the Rotary in Poland,” McDaniel said. “No matter what we do, we feel like it’s just not enough. We just want to do more.”

McDaniel just sent another $10,000 to the Poland Rotary to distribute supplies and the duo has no intentions of slowing down local fundraising efforts.

Slicker said plans for another Concert for Peace are in the works for early 2023. He also encourages anyone who wants to help to raise money to host their own homegrown efforts such as a party where guests donate to the relief effort or to donate privately with family and friends. For a QR code that allows you to donate directly to the Rotary, visit Slicker’s Eatery online or on Facebook.

Campaign for Ukraine continues

Campaign for Ukraine continues

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island and Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery in Cortez, continue to raise funds for Ukraine.

The Concert for Peace on June 12 raised over $50,000; Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island also sent $5,000, which was matched by a Rotary District in New Hampshire (7870) for a total of $10,000; and the Rotary Club of AMI and Slicker’s Eatery Partnership released another $10,000 to President Wojtek Jankowski of the Rotary Club of Czestochowa, Poland.

Polish Rotarians are using the funds for a make-shift hospital, a refugee center for families and making regular supply runs to soldiers on the battlefield to get them food, medical supplies and clean clothing.

Slicker is currently in Eastern Europe witnessing firsthand the work being done on the ground. He is set to return on July 7.

“While in Poland, Bob is being taken care of by our Rotarian friends in Czestochowa so we are comfortable he is in good hands,” said Rotary Club of AMI President James McDaniel in a press release. “He will be accompanied by an international grad student affiliated with Rotary who will be filming his visit and documenting the conversations he has with the leaders and the people he meets. We feel this will help us explain the strong connection that Rotary is providing for our efforts to provide funding toward the cause. It also helps us bring awareness to this very trying situation that our world neighbors are experiencing and the importance of our work to this small area of the much greater area affected by this war.”

McDaniel said that when Slicker returns, the next fundraising event, slated to take place in August, will be announced.

 

Related coverage

 

Campaign for Ukraine rocks The Center

 

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

 

Mystery tour raises money for Ukrainians

Rotary golf

Team Swordfish wins Golf Classic

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Golf, Sports.

BRADENTON – The foursome sponsored by the Swordfish Grill won the Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island’s fourth annual Golf Classic.

Collectively, David Woods, Lewis Woods, Marty Lee and Chris Osborne shot a 54 in the 18-hole scramble-style tournament played at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton on April 4.

Team Swordfish finished the day at 18 under par and Osborne said they birdied every hole. They won $400 in cash for their efforts.

“It was a fun day. It was a good day,” Lee said.

Woods, Woods, Lee and Osborne are the Golf Classic’s first repeat winners, having also won the 2015 tournament.

Osborne also won the men’s closest to the pin award and Carol Shaffer won the ladies’ closest to the pin contest.

Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Jake Spooner was part of the Shoreline Builders’ foursome that finished second with a score of 59. Team Shoreline included co-owner Chris McNamara and Island residents Danny Canniff and Steve Leister.

Rotary golf
Steve Leister, Chris McNamara, Jake Spooner and Danny Canniff finished second. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

Rotarian and Holmes Beach resident David Zaccagnino and his teammates Mike Springer, Tom Sanger and Ben Sanger shot a 61.

“We were crushing the ball, but we missed some key putts,” Zaccagnino said.

While riding around the course in a golf cart, non-golfers Susanne Arbanas from the Waterline Marina Resort & Beach Club and Rotarian Laurie Beppler passed out shots of Limoncello, an Italian lemon liqueur. Rotary Club Vice President Judy Rup and her passenger Susan Fernald also passed out Limoncello shots. Lisa Brakefield and her teammates from the Anna Maria branch of the Advanced Insurance Brokerage were among those who enjoyed the refreshments.

None of the more than 90 golfers who paid the $100 entry fee scored a hole in one on the par 3 third hole that would have earned them a new Volkswagen Jetta from Boast Volkswagen.

Swordfish Grill employee Nora Davis was not present, but she won The Wheelbarrow of Spirits raffled off during the awards dinner that also featured a silent auction.

The annual tournament serves as the AMI Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraiser.

“We raised over $12,000 and we still have money coming in. It was a great day, great weather, nice people and we raised money for our local projects. I wish someone would have won the car,” Rup said later in the week.

Rotary Golf Classic

Golfers wanted for AMI Rotary Club’s annual Golf Classic

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Golf, Sports.

BRADENTON – The Fourth Annual Anna Maria Island Rotary Club Golf Classic is scheduled for Wednesday, April 4 at 1 p.m.

Interested golfers can still register for the tournament taking place at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton.

Limited to 120 golfers, the tournament features foursomes playing in a scramble format. The entry fee is $100 per golfer and includes 18 holes of golf, an electric cart, lunch, an awards dinner and on-course beverages. You do not need to be a Rotary Club member to play in the Golf Classic. For tournament registration or sponsorship information, call Dennis Schuermann at 727-742-0762 or email him at dschuermann@msn.com.

Tournament sponsors include The Sun and LaPensee Pools.

This year’s winning foursome will take home cash prizes. Several other awards and raffle prizes will also be given away. If someone shoots a hole-in-one on the designated par 3 they will win a new Volkswagen from Boast Volkswagen in Bradenton.

When asked if anyone has won a car in the club’s past tournaments, AMI Rotary Club Vice President Judy Rup said, “Not yet, that would be nice.”

The raffle prizes will include a wheelbarrow full of adult spirits currently valued at approximately $500.

“Anybody can buy raffle tickets. It’s a way to contribute to the projects we do on the Island, especially if they’re not golfers,” Rup said.

Raffle tickets are now selling for $10 per ticket or $20 for three tickets. The winner does not have to be present to win. To purchase raffle tickets, call Rup at 941-518-1965 or touch base with her at one of the club’s weekly meetings. Open to the public, the AMI Rotary Club meets at the Bridge Street Bistro in Bradenton Beach each Tuesday at noon.

AMI Rotary causes

The annual Golf Classic is the AMI Rotary Club’s largest annual fundraiser. Last year’s tournament raised approximately $10,000.

“100 percent of the money we earn goes to our projects,” Rup said.

This year’s proceeds will again support several Rotary programs at Anna Maria Elementary School. These include the annual Peace Day Ceremony, the Character Building Program, the Rotary Reader Dolphin Project, new books for the school library, dictionaries for all third-grade students, an essay contest for fourth graders and the Service Above Self Award presented to one fifth-grade student.

The fundraiser will benefit the AMI Rotary’s Learn to Swim Program that teaches water safety, basic swimming strokes and lifesaving skills to at-risk youths. It will also benefit the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra Young Solo Artist Competition.

The AMI Rotary maintains a welcome sign that greets those entering the Island on Manatee Avenue and a bench at the Manatee County Beach in the changing room area.

“We work with other Manatee County Rotary Clubs on projects that affect our community. We just worked at a Rotary food packing event that packed over 50,000 meals to be distributed in Manatee County,” Rup said.

“We are working with the six other clubs in Manatee County to build three all-inclusive playgrounds that can accommodate children of all abilities. The first will be at the G.T. Bray Park in Bradenton,” she added.