Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Happy February, everyone!

The VYCCF is off to a grand start this year under the leadership of our new chair, Dave Slaman. He wrote in last month’s Currents about the Ride for a Better Community. He and his co-chair, Steve Bieglicki, are leading this event for the third year. Thank you, Dave and Steve! I can personally say it is a morning of fun and fellowship! Please consider joining us for the ride on Feb. 23. It is followed by Chef Josh’s delicious breakfast buffet. If you don’t ride, come by for breakfast or sponsor someone who does ride. A registration website is located on the VYC website with a direct link to VYCCF; a yellow box directs people to register as a participant or a sponsor.

Mark Pritchett, CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, is our Honorary Ride Leader; the VHS Marine Corps JROTC will be guiding us safely through the streets of Venice, and the Venice Police Dept. will lead us out of the VYC parking lot.

Remember - this is our main fundraiser this year, so let’s do it up large!

We are excited that all the charities which the VYCCF supports have such a great effect in our community. We project raising more than $100,000 for the charities to which we give grants, but we can only do this with your continued assistance and donations.

P/C Merle Graser was honored at the annual Senior Friendship Center's dinner for his leadership implementing the construction of their campus here in Venice. It was a sold out, beautiful evening at our Club. We are proud to say they are the first to receive a $5,000 grant for the 2020 fiscal year from VYCCF. They offer countless services to all the seniors in our community.

Along with the giving in which the VYCCF participates, many of our committee members are among the volunteers who put in hours at the All Faiths Food Bank and Habitat for Humanity. They worked 22 days at All Faith Food Banks locations sorting and boxing food items from frozen meats to canned goods. At Habitat for Humanity, 225 hours were logged painting, building, and planting. An Appreciation Award was received from Habitat for Humanity for sponsorship of a house.

Five events were organized and held during 2019, and 22 articles were written and submitted to area newspapers regarding the good works of the VYCCF. Thank you, Don Healy!

Happy Valentine’s Day to all!

With sincere appreciation,
Noni Lavelle

Please follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/VeniceYachctClubCharitableFoundation/

updated: February 2020 Currents