Youth group assists White Egret owners

ANNA MARIA – While visiting Anna Maria Island, the One10Y­outh group from the Mandarin United Methodist Church in Jacksonville spent several hours helping the owners of the White Egret home décor and gift store in Anna Maria.

The Center of Anna Maria Island helped connect White Egret own­ers Barb and John Jaeger and the One10Youth group, which was on a mission trip and looking to do some volunteer work in the area.

On June 12, the youth group helped the White Egret owners and staff transfer the retail inventory stored at the Jaeger’s home to the second floor storage area above the White Egret store at 10006 Gulf Drive. The storage area was recently remodeled after a hurricane-related roof replace­ment project was completed.

The youth group received a thank you letter from the Jaegers and the White Egret team that said, “Heartfelt blessings and kindness arrived on Anna Maria Island last week from Jacksonville. With the assistance of The Center of Anna Maria Island, we were gifted a large blessing. Our hearts are overflowing as we give a huge ‘thank you’ to the One10Youth group. They had a mission to come to the Island and help as many people as their short time here al­lowed continue to recover from the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They did just that and so much more.”

After noting the youth group’s volunteer efforts took place on a hot, humid day, the letter says, “They formed an assembly line up the stairs and within eight hours they had amazingly, successfully transported five pods’ worth of merchandise upstairs without complaint or hesitation, getting our inventory transported back to the store so we could have our home back.”

In closing, the Jaegers’ letter says, “They were so respectful and happy to help, which will forever have an impact on our hearts. These are our youth who have chosen to give up their summer to help others in need. We cannot express how thankful we are to have the opportunity to be part of their journey, as they will forever be a part of ours. These are our future stars of America.”