Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Why do we care? Why do we give?
Studies reveal why we care and give. The first two reasons are by far the big hitters: Altruism and Trust.

Altruism is the belief of an individual and a community that it is good and important to help others in need. Trust comes into play when we believe that by giving to a particular organization or charity that the intended help actually is delivered to the people at risk. The two must work hand in hand.

Our goal at the VYC Charitable Foundation is to engage our membership in those two fundamental elements. In presenting our Signature Project, N-VEST, affecting Nutrition, Veterans, Education and ShelTer, we hope to reveal the local services that change the community we live in. Our VYCCF grants are going to assist specialists in Venice, South County, and the Sarasota region who reveal their work, share their goals, and report on their progress. This close interaction between our Foundation, our members, and these service providers helps us to couple the sense of ALTRUISM that we desire and the TRUST we need.

Let me give you some examples of Altruism and Trust:
• 22 combat veterans commit suicide every day due to physical or emotional wounds experienced in service. Working with Southeastern Guide Dogs, we discover that our grants provide therapy dogs to our returning vets. SE Guide Dogs report that not one patriot who has received one of their "lovable heroes" has become #23!
• Our Mothers House provides 22 apartments and a 2-year residency program for mothers and children at risk. After 30 years of experience and over 600 graduates, their success rate for these families moving into hopeful, productive lives is well over 70%. Incredible Results!
• A literacy program called Reading Recovery of Sarasota County has become nationally recognized, ensuring that approximately 97% of our First Graders are reading at or above grade level. The VYCCF is proud to be one of their partners. Literacy leads to success.

Delivering on a promise: Altruism and Trust!

Respectfully submitted,
Don Healy, 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, Barbara Isaacson, Noni Lavelle, Warren Major, Paul Nasipak, Michael Nemser, Beth Piel, Dave Slaman, Ann Van Cott, and Bill Walker

updated: June 2018 Currents