Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Greetings!
I hope this finds everyone in great health and getting out there to our “new normal.” I spent some time at the Club in the latter part of May, and loved seeing some familiar faces with everyone respecting social distancing. Thank you, thank you to our outstanding VYC staff!

I have lots of updates to share, so please read carefully! As diligently as Don Healy tried, no back up band was available, and so, as you probably know, our Jazz Under The Stars evening in June was cancelled. All musicians were concerned about a resurgence and believe they need real evidence that this pandemic is lessening. Many of the area bands have cancelled all regular engagements until later this year for fear of transmission. So... this being said, we will transition all sponsor funding for Jazz Under The Stars to support the Blues Bistro scheduled for Thursday evening, August 20. Jennifer Kessler, Chair of this event, has contracted with an outstanding “Blues” recording artist, J.P. Soars and The Red Hots. They have definitely committed for this August evening! Please contact Jennifer if you would like to sponsor this event! The Bistro will feature two items for live auction, a wine grab, and possibly one live auction “mystery” item. More on this in the August Currents!

We will be presenting a $5000 grant for OMAP (Operation Military Assistance Program) operated by JFCS of the Suncoast at the above event. I encourage all of our numerous Club service veterans to please come out and support this evening. Also, with so many summer plans cancelled, please consider turning any of those dollars into a donation to VYCCF, or come ready to take home an extra bottle of wine, or possibly an auction item. This event is open to all of our members, summer members, and reciprocals. What a great opportunity for fun and fellowship! Call your friends, make a plan, and get a table reserved!

In other news, AFFB (All Faiths Food Bank) has not yet opened its warehouse to volunteer groups, but it is allowing those individuals who have previously volunteered to sign up for specific dates. They may be open by the time you are reading this, but contact AFFB if you have time and would like to assist.

An update is in from Habitat For Humanity regarding the VYC-sponsored house: regular volunteers have hung cabinets, but a call out for some VYC volunteers will be coming soon. The VYC home is at 360 San Juan, Warm Mineral Springs, and should be ready for the Maldonado family by late summer. Due to some paperwork deadlines, the location of the VYC home had to be changed from the South Venice location.

Our assistance to our local charities is now needed more than ever! Thanks to your generosity and awareness of those less fortunate, we know we will reach our fundraising goals to continue granting financial assistance to the community charities we support, especially during this time.

With sincere appreciation,
Noni Lavelle

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updated: July 2020 Currents