Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation

Dear Fellow Club Members:

At this time of year, especially, we are apt to reconcile our hearts with our checkbooks to give to those in less fortunate circumstances. And this is exactly the mission of our Club’s Charitable Foundation (VYCCF) all year long.

The premier fund-raising event that involves both the VYC membership and the greater Venice Community: The 7th Annual Ride or Walk for a Better Community will take place on Sun., Feb. 18, 2024. “The funds from this event go to help the extraordinary groups our Club supports,” explains Sylvia Hollister, Chair of the VYCCF. “Participants include registered bicyclists and walkers as well as our friends in the community who respond year after year with enthusiasm and a true sense of caring to keep our foundation’s mission funded and vibrant!”

“By popular demand we have added a 1.25 mile walk,” Dave Slaman, Co-Ride Director explains. “This walking option, along with our low-traffic bike routes on beautiful Venice Island, allows both bikers and walkers to take part in this fun event!”

A modest $50 registration includes a commemorative shirt, a hearty breakfast and music by WC Sounds on the grounds of the Venice Yacht Club. If you would like to register as a participant or participant sponsor so that our grants can help those in need throughout our community, you can do so at www.vyccf.com and follow the prompts.

This month we are profiling another wonderful group that our VYC Charitable Foundation supports: Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF) ensures full financial assistance for a post-secondary degree from an accredited college, university, technical, or trade school. The array of programs now includes Preschool Funding, Private Tutoring, Support for Students with Disabilities, Private K-12 School Tuition Assistance, College Planning, College Scholarships, and College-to-Career transition support. In 2022, SOWF provided funding for 210 students in colleges and universities across the country and 38 students received their college degree. In 2023, US Special Operations Command lost 53 warriors, and SOWF gained 129 children, each eligible for all of SOWF’s education programs. The foundation currently has over 1,100 children eligible for its education programs.

SOWF provides severely wounded, ill, or injured Special Operators with a financial stipend, up to $5,000, to relieve the burden of unexpected expenses when hospitalized. Additionally, SOWF sends an iPad to help the service member communicate with family and friends. SOWF provided stipends to 25 wounded, ill, or injured Special Operators in 2022. Since 2006, the Foundation has provided $3.2 million to wounded, ill and injured Special Operators and their families. In 2023, SOWF provided this assistance to 52 Special Operations Warriors.

~ Sandy Welch, VYCCF Ambassador

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

updated: January 2024 Currents