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Tag: Jim McDaniel

McDaniel returning as Rotary Club president

McDaniel returning as Rotary Club president

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News.

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.

McDaniel returning as Rotary Club president
Jim McDaniel was installed as incoming club
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.

McDaniel returning as Rotary Club president
Jim and Susan McDaniel, Judy Rupp and Laurie Beppler were joined by Rotary Club District 6960 Governor Kelsey Sola after receiving their awards. – AMI Rotary Club | Submitted

“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.

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.

 

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Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Entertainment.

ANNA MARIA – The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island, The Center of Anna Maria Island, Bob Slicker of Slicker’s Eatery, A Paradise Realty, Painting with a Twist and others are joining forces to assist the war-torn people of Ukraine.Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

The local Campaign for Ukraine fundraising efforts will culminate with a Concert for Peace fundraising event at The Center, 407 Magnolia Ave., on Sunday, June 12 from 4-8 p.m.

Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio will headline the free Concert for Peace, with The Billy Rice Band also performing as part of the musical roster still being finalized.

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine
Twinkle and Rock Soul Radio will headline the June 12 Concert for Peace. – TwinkleRockSoulRadio.com | Submitted

A preliminary We Can for Ukraine fundraising happy hour is set for Wednesday, June 8 from 4-6 p.m. at Slicker’s Eatery, 12012 Cortez Road W., Cortez.

Co-hosted by A Paradise Realty, this event will include a raffle featuring as its grand prize a Yeti cooler filled with cheer and valued at $550. A Paradise Realty donated the cooler, the spirits and other goodies contained within. The company is also providing a free drink ticket to the first 80 attendees of the happy hour. Raffle tickets are now on sale at Slicker’s Eatery and can also be purchased during the event that will feature live entertainment by Tanya McCormick, “The Singing Realtor.”

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine
A Paradise Realty donated this cooler and its contents to be raffled off on June 8. – Bob Slicker | Submitted

Painting with a Twist is partnering with Slicker’s Eatery for the Painting with a Purpose: Painting for Ukraine event at the restaurant on Sunday, June 5 from 3-5 p.m. Some of the paintings created during this event will be raffled off during the Concert for Peace.

Concert for Peace highlights local Campaign for Ukraine

“We have a Rotary president in Czestochowa, Poland who bi-weekly meets and assesses the needs,” AMI Rotary Club President-Elect Jim McDaniel said. “In addition to helping the refugees who relocated to Poland, he has drivers that have been taking supplies into Ukraine. The funds raised here will be held by the AMI Rotary Foundation and distributed in small amounts, probably $5,000 to $10,000 at a time, for specific purposes identified by the Rotary Club Czestochowa and their club president on the ground in Poland.”

The fundraising event organizers are still seeking additional sponsors for the June 12 Concert for Peace. Sponsorship levels range from $500 to $5,000. For more information about sponsorship, email jim@centerami.org or call 941-778-1908, ext. 201.

“We need as much community support as possible in order to make a tangible impact for our friends from the Rotary in Czestochowa,” Slicker stated in an email seeking support. “These volunteers are serving tirelessly and bravely. They are helping to house and care for Ukrainian refugees in Poland and transport specific medical supplies, goods and food for those still maintaining the defense of their country. It is a brave and necessary endeavor that offers hope in a dark time. We are so humbled at the opportunity to help support them. No matter what your involvement, your willingness to help is greatly appreciated. We are grateful for your partnership in this meaningful work.”

McDaniel joins Center team

McDaniel joins Center team

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Center of Anna Maria Island, Community News.

After months of searching, the team at The Center of Anna Maria Island has a new director of development.

In a May 3 press release, Executive Director Chris Culhane announced that Jim McDaniel had been hired to fill the role, beating out about 190 other applicants for the position.

Before joining The Center’s staff, McDaniel served for six years as director of development at St. Stephen’s Episcopal School. As director of development at The Center, McDaniel will work to develop a strategic plan and oversee fundraising efforts for the nonprofit.

Center hosts summer kickoff

Summer’s almost here and The Center of Anna Maria Island’s staff is ready to party with the community. The Center’s Summer Kickoff Bash open house will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 15. Come on out to view The Center’s facilities, learn about summer camp programs and youth summer sports, and catch all of the action on the pitch during the youth soccer championships and awards.

Hot dogs, hamburgers and side dishes will be provided by The Freckled Fin Irish Pub. The event is free and open to the public. The Center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria. For more information, contact The Center at 941-778-1908.