Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Fellow members...

This month we highlight our grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast to support the Decisions to Win program. Gina Taylor, VP, Communications & Market-ing explained that 600 at-risk children are matched within Sarasota County, with 145 students in the Decisions to Win program. In this program a mentor works with a high school student in a focused course on personal decision making. Gina says 90% of the seniors completing the Decisions to Win program graduated from high school. Adults can volunteer to mentor one of the 35 students in Venice awaiting a mentor. Mentoring makes a difference, with 75% of those helped by a Big Brother or Sister earning a four-year college degree and 84% saying their experience influenced them in overcoming adversity.

The VYCCF 2013 fundraising goal is $100,000 with first time donations from 30 VYC members. Some of the funds will be used for the VYCCF 2013 Signature Project, Build A Truck – Feed the Hungry. This program will fight hunger by donating a mobile food pantry called Sprout to All Faiths Food Bank. Gulf Coast Community Foundation will provide partner-ship funds of 10% of 2013 donations to support Sprout.

All Faiths Food Bank distributes food to 190 not-for-profit agencies in our community - more than 88,000 meals weekly. Sprout is a specially-designed vehicle used to deliver fresh produce, dairy products, and other food to people in need.

Sprout will be the first of its kind in Florida and will proudly display the VYC burgee as principal donor. Please look for news about our June 15 “Build A Truck – Feed the Hungry” Sprout celebration party where you will be able to purchase VYC naming rights to parts of Sprout.

To further recognize our donors, we are launching the VYCCF Captain’s Circle for members donating $100 and a VYCCF Commodore’s Club for members donating at least $1,000. Captain’s Circle members will receive a lapel pin to recognize them as donors and will be invited to Sprout’s christening party. Commodore’s Club members will receive a token designating them as members of the Commodore’s Club and will be invited to at least one other sponsored event.

The next grant cycle closes on May 1. Please submit a grant application for your favorite local charity that supports one of our five grant categories: youth boating, health and education, veterans and active military, the environment or civic. Applications are simple and can be found under the VYCCF tab on the VYC web site.

Michael F. Nemser, Chairperson
Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

DuPont Snowden, Vice-Chairperson
Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Charting a course to a better community…