Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Greetings VYC members!

Oh my, how can it be March already! It is once again the time of year when like Punxsutawney Phil we must try to predict a future occurrence. So here you go, as of Groundhog Day, February 2 (the day this article was written), our 6th Annual Ride for a Better Community (Sunday, February 19) was well on the way to reaching our goal of registering over 200 riders and raising $80,000.00. On that beautiful morning riders departed the VYC parking lot led by Venice Mayor Nick Pachota and flashing lights of the police escort. It was warm, sunny and believe it or not we only had trailing winds pushing the riders toward the finish line. Afterward the riders, their guests, event sponsors and volunteers gathered for a hearty breakfast served by the VHS Marine Corp ROTC while rocking to music provided by WC Sounds.

Thanks to everyone who made this the most fun annual fundraising event possible. In the April Currents article, we will update you on how close this prediction was with all the details!

The first few weeks of the year have been very busy for the foundation. We have established a giving budget this year of $130,000, and as a new 501(c) (3) nonprofit corporation, have put many new policies and procedures in place. The most important is our 2023 Grant Process, and Grant Application. Since the middle of January, we have been receiving grant applications from many of the charities we have supported in the past, as well as some new organizations. During the next few weeks, we will be evaluating these requests, based on our mission criteria, and making grant decisions.

The next VYCCF fundraising event will be the ever popular Jazz Under the Stars on Thursday April 20. We will be fortunate again to have music played by the Venice High School Jazz Band - they were a huge success last year! Details of the menu are still being worked out, but the food will be delicious, and we will be having another wine grab! Look for the event ad in the April Currents. We look forward to seeing everyone.

Thank you all for your ongoing support of the Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, we are grateful for your generosity. Everything we achieve is because of you!

With deepest appreciation,
Sylvia Hollister, VYCCF Chair 2023

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

updated: March 2023 Currents