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Tag: Anna Maria Island Rotary Club

Rotary Club seeks car, bike donations for hurricane victims

Rotary seeks car, bike donations for hurricane victims

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – The storm surge from Hurricane Helene not only flooded homes in Cortez, but it also destroyed many vehicles there.

To help residents recover their means of mobility, The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island has initiated a vehicle and bicycle donation program.

“A significant number of our neighbors have lost their vehicles during the recent hurricanes and are now left with no transportation to work and do simple things, such as buy groceries,” The Rotary Club posted on its Facebook page,

The club is accepting donations of used cars and bicycles to help these individuals get back on their feet.

“Do you own a car that you no longer need? We would love to take it off your hands and are able to offer drivers for vehicles not located on the Island. This is a way to truly make a difference in our community while making a tax-deductible donation for the value of your vehicle,” the Facebook post continues.

“We’re working from a list,” Rotary Board Member Bob Slicker said. “We’re starting first in Cortez village then on to Sunny Shores and then we’ll move out from there.”

Slicker said the first on the list is an 87-year-old individual with cancer who needs a means to get back and forth to treatments.

“Three people in their home, the car was ruined in the storm. The oldest person in the home is going through cancer treatment,” Slicker wrote on his personal Facebook page. “This car will help them get to and from, treatments and work. I know someone knows that somebody that has a car they are not using. Won’t you consider this life-changing donation?”

Slicker said 17 donated bicycles have been distributed and donations of working bikes will be appreciated. He said Bring on the Ministry is repairing some donated bicycles.

Slicker said he has been involved in hurricane relief efforts for more than 20 years.

“I know what people need right away after a storm,” he said. “There are health needs now and financial needs.”

The Rotary Club also provides meals daily at the Sunny Shores distribution center.

They also provided dehumidifiers to locals including the Cortez Cultural Center, the Cortez Church of Christ and multiple residences. The Rotary has donated 20 mini-refrigerators to residents.

Slicker has been personally affected by recent hurricanes both at his home and his restaurant, Slicker’s Eatery.

“We are all in this together,” he said.

At a recent fundraiser, more than $17,000 was raised for The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island to benefit Cortez and the surrounding area.

“Thank You, Harbor Landings. A two-hour party, just over 50 people, live music, thank you, Mike Sales, silent auction and a live auction, BYOB, that’s all it took,” Slicker wrote on his Facebook page following the fundraiser.

Donations to the hurricane relief efforts may be made at: https://ami-rotary-helene.square.site/

Those having a car they wish to donate can call Slicker at 941-650-2333.

As a way of helping restaurant workers who have been out of work since the hurricanes, Slicker’s will be hosting a hurricane relief party in the parking lot at 12012 Cortez Road W. on Saturday, Nov. 2 from 2-7 p.m. Live music will be provided by Billy Rice from 2-4 p.m. and Dos Macs with Smokin’ Joe from 5-7 p.m.

Food and drinks are free to hurricane victims and all donations will be given to employees of four local restaurants.

Rotary Club wraps swimming program

Rotary Club wraps swimming program

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

BRADENTON – Members of The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island say their Learn to Swim program was another big success this year.

Thanks to fundraising efforts by the Rotary, as well as a $4,000 grant from the Bishop Parker Foundation Fund of the Manatee Community Foundation, 82 area children were able to participate in the program this year at the Bradenton YMCA. There were four eight-day sessions, with half taking place in June and half in July at a cost of $80 per child, which was 100% covered by fundraising efforts, such as the Rotary’s annual golf tournament. The tournament was held on April 3 and raised $20,000.

The AMI Rotary says because this is Florida and children are around water more than most places in the country, it is vitally important that they can swim, but many families aren’t able to afford swimming lessons or regular access to a pool. It’s not only a way to possibly save lives, but offers a fun experience for kids who might not normally be exposed to swimming.

The program is three-pronged, with AMI Rotary providing the funds, the Manatee County Boys and Girls Club finding the children in need of the program, and the Bradenton YMCA providing the pool and instructors to give the lessons. All three organizations are 501(c)(3) non-profits.

“From 2018-2020, Florida had the highest unintentional drowning death rate among children 0-9 years of age,” Rotary Club of AMI President Kathy Rylander said. “We are working hard to change the statistics. Serving over 500 local children in six years is a huge accomplishment for our club and we hope to serve hundreds more in the future.”

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.

The Island’s most recognizable sign turns 21

The Island’s most recognizable sign turns 21

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Everyone sees the sign that says, “Welcome to Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island” as they cross the Anna Maria Island Bridge, but not everyone knows how the 21-year-old sign originated.

The Island’s most recognizable sign turns 21
The original sign was donated to the community by the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club in the 1980s. – Submitted | Wagner Realty

Back in the 1980s, the original sign was donated to the community by the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club. And while the old sign welcomed visitors to the Island community and featured some of the local organizations and businesses, by 2001, its life was coming to an end. That’s when then-president of the Rotary Club, Ernie Kerr, decided that a new sign was needed, one that would better illustrate the character of the community.

As a retired commercial artist, Kerr took it upon himself to design a new sign which was approved by both Holmes Beach city officials and Rotary Club members. He then began fabricating the design in his workshop garage. It took about six months to complete construction and installation of the sign, which still stands today welcoming residents and visitors to the Island. The project was sponsored and funded by the AMI Rotary Club.

The Island’s most recognizable sign turns 21
Ernie Kerr, the artist behind the welcome sign on Manatee Avenue, credits his wife Becky Smith as his support system during the six months it took to fabricate the sign elements. – Submitted | Wagner Realty

Kerr said he enjoyed every minute of building the sign and thanked his wife, Becky Smith, who served as branch manager for Wagner Realty on the Island, for her patience with him while he built the sign. He added that he has fond memories of the time spent fabricating the sign and that it gives him a sense of satisfaction every time he sees a family photographing themselves in front of the one and only monument that he ever designed and built.

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

Chamber, Rotary honor businesses

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce, Business.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce has named its Businesses of the Year and its nonprofit organization of 2021.

In conjunction, the Rotary Club of Anna Maria has named its Businessperson of the Year for 2020.

The Center of Anna Maria Island is the Chamber’s 2021 Nonprofit of the Year, AMI Beach Weddings is the Chamber’s 2021 Small Business of the Year, Ocean-Aire Conditioning is the Chamber’s 2021 Medium Business of the Year, and Barnes Walker is the Chamber’s 2021 Large Business of the Year.

Former Swordfish Grill General Manager Bob Slicker is the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club’s Businessperson of 2020.

The honors were bestowed upon the unknowing winners during a Thursday, Nov. 19 ceremony held on the patio of the Beach House restaurant in Bradenton Beach.

Rotarian Laurie Beppler presented Slicker with his award.

“Bob is a true humanitarian,” Beppler said, citing Slicker’s work with the Blessing Bags Project and Hurricane Laura victims in Lake Charles, La. among his many charitable endeavors.

When accepting the award, Slicker said, “Things like this happen by surrounding yourself with good people. I feel blessed and grateful. Thank you all so very much.”

Chamber President Terri Kinder then called up the members of this year’s Chamber awards committee.

Committee member Karen LaPensee, of LaPensee Plumbing Pools & Air, recognized this year’s finalists and asked them to gather at the front of the room before the committee members announced the winners.

“And to the winners we go,” LaPensee said when introducing the Nonprofit of the Year.

“Our winner in this category has been a backbone in our community for 50 years. Ever evolving, they’ve strived to advance the overall well-being of individuals for all ages, preserve a sense of community and offer creative programming and partnership,” LaPensee said.

Island Players’ board member Diane Phinney then announced The Center as this year’s winner.

Jim McDaniel and David Zaccagnino accepted the award on The Center’s behalf.

“Every business here knows we’ve had obstacles in 2020, especially being a nonprofit. Jim and Chris (Culhane) have done an outstanding job and we couldn’t do it without our community,” Zaccagnino said.

Moving on, LaPensee said, “The winner of the 2021 Small Business of the Year started their business from scratch. Continuously involved with the community and striving to improve the business through excellent customer service, she has provided the weddings of her client’s dreams.”

AAA Payroll Services co-founder Mike Southwick announced AMI Beach Weddings as the winner.

When accepting the award, owner Karen Riley-Love said, “I want to thank my son Jack. He helps me with my weddings. He is my organizer and keeps me calm and centered and makes sure everything is where it needs to be.”

Moving on, LaPensee said, “The winner of the Medium Business of the Year believes their key to success is communication with staff and customers. In an ever-changing world, the coronavirus has added significant issues to overcome. Challenging and adapting, they have exceeded their previous sales records. Their motto: ‘The virus will not stop them.’ ”

Suzanne Arbanas, of the Compass by Margaritaville, then announced Ocean-Aire Conditioning as the winner.

“I appreciate this very much. I’ve been in business here since 1979. It’s a long time – and seeing so many changes, I hope the new ones help. Bless you all,” owner Bill Long said.

When presenting the final award, LaPensee said, “The winners of the Large Business of the Year focus on providing timely, precise and practical solutions to their customers. Surviving the ‘great recession,’ their business dropped 83%, to rebound and grow to 45 employees. They continue to encourage shared values, open communication and a strong belief in excellence and community.”

Mixon Fruit Farms co-owner Janet Mixon then announced Barnes Walker, a five-office law firm and title company, as the winner.

When accepting the award, Branch Manager Faith Test said, “I like to say we make peoples’ dreams come true. Thank you all.”

Laurie Beppler, left, of the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club, presents the Businessperson of the Year award to Bob Slicker. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Laurie Beppler, left, of the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club, presents the Businessperson of the Year award to Bob Slicker. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Barnes Walker Branch Manager Faith Test, left, receives the Large Business of the Year Award from Janet Mixon. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Barnes Walker Branch Manager Faith Test, left, receives the Large Business of the Year Award from Janet Mixon. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ocean-Aire Conditioning owner Bill Long, left, receives the Medium Business of the Year Award from Suzanne Arbanas. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Ocean-Aire Conditioning owner Bill Long, left, receives the Medium Business of the Year Award from Suzanne Arbanas. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Jim McDaniel, left, and David Zaccagnino received The Center’s Nonprofit of the Year Award. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Jim McDaniel, left, and David Zaccagnino received The Center’s Nonprofit of the Year Award. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Karen Riley-Love, left, won the Small Business of the Year Award, accompanied by her son, Jack. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Karen Riley-Love, left, won the Small Business of the Year Award, accompanied by her son, Jack. - Joe Hendricks | Sun

Rotary Club scores again with annual golf tournament

Rotary Club scores again with annual golf tournament

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

BRADENTON – The foursome sponsored by LaPensee Plumbing Pools & Air won the Fifth Annual Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island Charity Golf Tournament.

More than 70 golfers participated in the Wednesday, April 3 fundraising tournament held again this year at the IMG Academy Golf Club in Bradenton.

Greg LaPensee, Jason Ghromley, Bryan Meador and Brandon Johnson shot a combined low score of 54 in the best ball style of play tournament co-sponsored by The Anna Maria Island Sun.

While standing in the buffet line at the after-tournament awards dinner, LaPensee Plumbing Pools and Air co-owner and Rotarian Mike LaPensee commented on his son’s team’s victory.

“They did awesome. They have played this thing a few times and they were on the numbers today,” LaPensee said.

LaPensee said the Rotary Club’s charitable efforts tie in nicely with their family businesses’ approach to community service.

“The community supports us and we do our best to support them,” LaPensee said.

When asked about the win, Greg LaPensee said, “This is the second time we won – we won two years ago. This is a fantastic tournament. We support it as a company and the opportunity to give back to the Island is really important to me, especially having grown up on the Island.”

The foursome of Bruce Abramson, Mark Caputo, Lee Anderson and Fred Carvin finished second with a combined score of 57.

“We should’ve played better on the other three holes, but we had a lot of fun,” Carvin said.

Carvin is a member of the Palmetto Rotary Club.

“They send a team over to our tournament and we come over to theirs. We like to support other clubs,” Carvin said.

Chris Staubo, from Norway, traveled the farthest to compete in this year’s tournament. Fourteen-year-old Brennan Decker, from Indianapolis, was this year’s youngest contestant.

Each foursome paid a $400 entry fee. The fundraising activities that continued during the awards dinner in the IMG banquet room included a silent auction and raffles that included Wheel Barrow of Cheer won by Paulie Caputo.

Once again, nobody won the free car Bob Boast Volkswagen offered to the first golfer to score a hole in one on the designated par 3 hole.

New this year was the addition of the air-powered cannon launch players used to tee off on the sixth hole.

“I shot it and the ball went over 400 yards. I got within 15 feet of the green when I tested it,” Rotary Club President Dennis Schuermann said.

On Monday, Schuermann said final numbers weren’t all in yet but this year’s tournament raised more than $12,000.

The tournament proceeds will again support Rotary Club programs at Anna Maria Elementary School, the AMI Rotary’s Learn to Swim Program and the $500 education grants given to the winners of annual Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus and Orchestra Young Solo Artist Competition.

“We’ve got about 20 programs we help every year,” Schuermann said.