Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Seasons Greetings!
I think it is appropriate, especially at this time, to begin with our mission statement: “The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation’s mission is to do the most good for the most people at risk by supporting and embracing the cumulative goodwill of the Venice Yacht Club membership to service the needs of our community.”

In gratitude and to celebrate our successes, 44 members gathered for our Donor Appreciation Event on Thursday evening, Nov. 5 in the Sunset Room. Thanks to your generosity and despite having two of our fundraising events canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, we were still able to make a huge impact helping those in need throughout our community. During our 2020 fiscal year, from November 1, 2019 to October 31, 2020, we generated over $130,000 through contributions from donors and supporters and our fundraising activities. We show the depth of our reach, both inside and outside of the VYC, with donors, sponsors, and contributions from almost 400 different individuals. We were able to make 24 grants to various charities and organizations totaling $115,850.

Since the Foundation’s inception in 2010, we have given grants totaling over $750,000! You can see we continue to grow and do more good each year. In addition, we contribute thousands of VYC volunteer hours at All Faiths Food Bank, Veterans Stand Down, and at the six homes the VYC has sponsored at Habitat For Humanity- all truly priceless!

At our Donor Appreciation Event, $5,000 grants were presented to representatives of two worthy organizations. Victor Romano, board member of the Library Foundation of Sarasota County, and Stacy Oh-gee, manager of the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, spoke and accepted our gifts. It will be used at Jacaranda Library for creation stations for the youth in our community.

Sean Corrigan, executive vice president of Special Operations Warrior Foundation, spoke of their program which ensures education through college for surviving children of special operations personnel. He told us some heartwarming stories of the successes they’ve seen in their program since its founding 40 years ago. He was presented with a $5000 grant for this fine organization.

Our chair, Dave Slaman, would like to remind everyone of our upcoming major fundraising event, our Annual Ride For A Better Community. It will be held on Sunday, February 21. Our plans will be crystallized shortly after Thanksgiving. Please save the date. If in the past, you were an event sponsor, rider, rider loop sponsor, or volunteer, we need your support again this year!

Dave and each of us on our committee would like to thank every one of you for your support of our foundation. It allows us to continue to spread goodwill and assistance to those in need of support throughout our community.

May our season’s blessings fall upon each and every one!
Noni Lavelle

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updated: December 2020 Currents