Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Restore, renew, and redeem: Living in Community!
Each day, I grow in my understanding of the real goals of our VYC Charitable Foundation. It is apparent that our focus on children at risk, on safety and security of a home for families, on honoring our returning Veterans, on literacy as a path forward, and on nutritious food to fuel a journey to a better life, includes the areas of need that resonate with so many of you.

At our Donor Appreciation Night, I saw our members looking at the banners and posters of groups who serve others right here in our community. I heard people talking with a sense of selflessness, that the VYC must be different, we must be caring. When our guest speakers shared their simple stories of rendering help and hope through the work they do, I saw our members listening and being moved by the commitment of those who are on the front line of giving. The funds we raise and the hours we give, they are a solemn pledge to help shoulder any burden, to ensure there is hope, and to instill the courage for folks “at-risk” to strive to raise themselves up. I hope that our membership will embrace our 2018 Signature Project of Nutrition, Veterans, Education and ShelTer (N-VEST).

We have some wonderful events coming up to celebrate our gifting. There will be “Jazz,” there will be “The Blues,” and there will be “Comedy” to encourage all of our members to listen to their hearts. These events will certainly provide fellowship and fun, but they will also remind us that the common human needs for food, safety, love, education, and respect should not be the things that separate us in society. They should be the true Bill of Rights that binds us together.

The folk philosopher Sam Levenson once wrote: “The tender loving care of human beings will never become obsolete. People even more than things have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed and redeemed and redeemed. Never throw out anybody.”

Don Healy, VYCCF Chair

VYCCF Committee: Chair Don Healy, Treasurer John O'Donnell, Commodore Gus Olson, Lloyd Abbot, Joan Bowen (Board Rep), P/C Kerry Carper, Kevin Collins, P/C Joe Dombrowski, P/C Merle Graser, P/C Dick & Doris Guba, Babs Healy, Sylvia Hollister, Noni Lavelle, Warren Major, Paul Nasipak, Michael Nemser, Beth Piel, Dave Slaman, Ann Van Cott, and Bill Walker For more information, please visit our website at: https://www.veniceyachtclub.com/vyccf.php