 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation
Past News Articles
Third Annual "Ride for a Better Community"
Sunday, February 23rd 2020, 3:52 PM EST
By Valezka Nava
VENICE - On your mark, get set, go!
The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation hosted its third annual “Ride for a Better Community” event Sunday. Chair of the foundation, David Slaman says about fifty percent of the people on the bike ride are yacht club members, and the other fifty percent are people from the area.
“We even had people come in from Michigan and Wisconsin and some other places, they come down and it’s a good time to come visit relatives,” says Chair of Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation, David Slaman.
Organizations like All Faiths Food Bank, Southeastern Guide Dogs, and Venice High School JROTC benefit from the ride. Slaman says most of the money raised comes from sponsors for the bike ride, and from people who sponsor riders. “So if someone can’t ride, they can still sponsor a relative, a friend, or a business associate on the bike ride,” says Slaman.
The bicycle ride is 12 miles around Venice Island, most of it is on the pathway, while some of it is on the street. The goal for the 2020 bike ride was 40 thousand dollars. At the breakfast celebration Dave Slaman (Event and Foundation Chair) announced, “I’m happy to let everybody know that we’ve reached 48 thousand dollars this morning, so that’ll go towards our annual give this year which we’ve already set our budget to a 107 to 110 thousand dollars that we’ll disburse during 2020".
Proceeds from the bike ride will benefit additional charities around the Suncoast. For a full list of you can visit their website.
Veterans Stand Down
On April 13, 2019, Jewish Family and Children Services hosted a Veterans Stand Down to help homeless veterans in the Sarasota area. A group of Venice Yacht Club members, coordinated by the Club's Foundation, volunteered to help the veterans.
The veterans were able to meet with many service providers, were able to attend an adjudication court to have their records expunged (which will help them find housing and jobs), and were provided with essential needs such as shoes, clothing, food, and supplies. Our veterans deserve all this and more.
This is the third year that VYC volunteers participated in the event. Over the years, the Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation has supported the JFCS Operation Military Assistance Program with over $11,000 in grants. Foundation Chair Michael Nemser expressed his gratitude to JFCS for hosting the event, adding that "Our veterans, who fought to protect our freedoms, should have better than a life of homelessness and we are proud to assist in helping them with the services, food and clothing offered at the Stand Down event."
Habitat for Humanity Dedication
On April 5, 2019, the Venice Yacht Club-sponsored Habitat for Humanity House was dedicated. The house became the home of Donna and Jacob Provau, and sons Anthony, Matthew, and Dean. VYC Commodore Roger Haviland presented Donna with the "key" to the house, noting that he did not find a lock large enough for the key and wishing the Provau family many years of happiness and prosperity in their new home. Nine members of the VYC attended the dedication. This was the 5th VYC-sponsored Habitat home.
The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation championed the VYC involvement. Our Volunteer Coordinator Sylvia Hollister coordinated our over 200 volunteer hours required to complete the home.
Congratulations to the Provau family. And, congratulations to the VYC membership in supporting Habitat for Humanity.
Ride for a Better Community
On Sunday, February 24, 2019, the Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation partnered with community sponsors and approximately 120 riders in its 2nd Annual Benefit Bike ride: "Ride for a Better Community" . Escorted by our local police department out of the Yacht Club, the riders completed the 16 mile "Venice Loop", raising approximately $18,000.00 for grants to local charities via the VYC Charitable Foundation. Over the last 8 years, the VYCCF has given away over $550,000.00 to programs battling hunger, homelessness, illiteracy and abuse. Additionally the foundation provides funding for veteran services through a variety of local programs supports youth boating through the VYBA. While the Yacht Club's membership is our key source of funding, we are very proud of Dave Slaman and Steve Bieglecki who chaired this event bringing together VYC members and riders from the Venice Community as an example of how people across South County care for our neighbors at-risk. Foundation Chair, Michael Nemser said, "As one of the very few Yacht Cubs in the U.S. with a Foundation, we focus on our local charities that have successfully demonstrated the ability to improve the lives of children, young families, and veterans who need that one extra service to get back on their feet, begin a hopeful life and to prosper safely with opportunities we usually take for granted."
Officer Freeman of the Venice Police Department prepares to lead the VYCCF and Community riders out of the Venice Yacht Club.
Key Foundation leaders and Local Charity Leads get "Ready to Ride":
From Left to Right: Officer Freeman, Michael Nemser (VYCCF Chair), Gina Taylor (Big Brothers/Big Sisters), Jennifer Fagenbaum (Family Promise), Theresa Spaude Larsen (Our Mother's House), Peter Shattuck (Sky YMCA), Heidi Brown (JFCS) and Dave Slaman (Bike Event Chair).
Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation Donor Appreciation Night!
On January 24th at the Venice Yacht Club, the VYC Charitable Foundation celebrated a successful 2018 year with its membership at their annual "Donor Appreciation Night". It was a "milestone year" for the Foundation by receiving over $118,000.00 in donations and providing grants to local charities of approximately $103,000.00. This accomplishment also meant that since the Foundation's inception, in 2010, the VYCCF has granted over a half million dollars to programs in the Venice/South County region focused on Nutrition, Veterans Services, Education & Literacy, Homelessness and Youth Boating!
In addition to celebrating the impact of 2018, the Committee kicked-off its 2019 year of caring, as Michael Nemser (2019 Chair) challenged the Club Membership to continue its dedicated support, announcing four events that focus on the needs of the community and provide fun opportunities to donate and sponsor local charities that create a positive impact for so many children, families and veterans where we live. One of the guest speakers, President and CEO of Children First, Phillip Tavill thanked the Club for years of support and outlined the challenges ahead. Children First provides a solid "head-start" for educational success with its programs in early childhood literacy and a healthy nutritional program. But their services do not stop there, they also provide health screenings for the children and a Family Advocate that works with the families to develop on a successful strategy of education, nutrition, work and safe housing to insure a strong family structure for the success of each child.
As Phillip Tavill concluded his remarks, Michael Nemser (along with Foundation Leaders) presented their first Grant of 2019 for $2,500.00 to Children First. This brings the ongoing support of Children First from the Foundation to over $15,000.00 to date. Together, we are "Charting a Course to a Better Community!".
Check Presentation with (from left to right): Michael Nemser (Chair), Phillip Tavill, Joan Bowen (Vice-Chair) and Roger Haviland (VYC Commodore).
Venice Yacht Club Grants $88,000 for Habitat for Humanity House
The Venice Yacht Club announced a $88,000 grant through the Community Contribution Tax Credit Program to Habitat for Humanity South Sarasota County for the construction of a home in North Port. This is the fifth house, in as many years, that the Club has sponsored. Members of the Club will provide 200 hours of volunteer time to help prepare the home for its new family. Volunteers will be coordinated by the Club's charitable foundation. The house is currently under construction and should be completed this spring. Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation Chair, Michael Nemser, said “Home ownership is an important milestone for a family. Our membership strives to be a good neighbor, to help in making a better community. We are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity in this, the fifth home we have funded.”
Pictured from the left to right Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation current Chair Michael Nemser and Past Chair Don Healy painting at the 5th house sponsored by the Venice Yacht Club.
VYCCF Participates in Family Promise Dream Walk!
Beth Piel championed a VYCCF Team to participate in the 2018 Family Promise Dream Walk on Saturday, November 10 on a route through the City of Venice.
Here are the results: Our walking team raised $2,775.00 in total donations & sponsor funding! The Dream Walk raised $61,860 (Family Promise Goal was$60,000.00) with 164 walkers registered! As many of you know, our VYCCF has been a steady supporter of this South County program, providing shelter and case management to many homeless families. In 2017, we were a cornerstone Sponsor of a "Family Scape" outdoor park for Family Promise. In 2018 we continued to provide financial assistance as their program grows to meet the needs of these families, providing safe shelter, nutrition and case management that gets them back on their feet!
Please thank our Captain, Beth Piel (VYCCF Member and Family Promise Board Member) and her team.
Members from Left to Right: Back row left to right: Don Healy, Roy Lee, Beth Piel, Deb Masser, Paul McLain Front row left to right: Bonnie Sammet, Michael Nemser, Lynn Nemser, Ann McLain, Susan Hyland.
VYC Charitable Foundation teams up with All Faiths Food Bank!
On Tuesday, Sept 16, seventeen members of the Venice Yacht Club packed and sorted snacks and food for the All Faiths Food Bank. The team packed 2,460 "back packs" for area children enrolled in the school lunch program, so that they have supplementary nutritional snacks for the weekends. These packs are given to our area kids on Friday's to help insure they have the added nutrition and energy to re-enter school on Monday, "ready to learn"! The Venice Yacht Club Charitable Foundation celebrates all the community organizations who work with All Faiths Food Bank! Together, we are fighting hunger and with the proper nutrition for children, we give them a chance to learn, to compete, and to realize a much better future!
VYCCF Volunteers (left to right): Don Healy (VYCCF Chair), Roy Lee, Laura Obermeyer, Cora Wright, Joe Obermeyer, Dewey Snowden, Jeff Graham, Pam Graham, Michael Nemser, Dorlene Bieglecki, Steve Bieglecki, Sylvia Hollister, Jennifer Kessler, Bill Kessler, Dick Lawson, Ann Shanley, Ken Shanley.
Yacht Club, Habitat Chart Course to a Better Community!
The VYC is sponsoring its fourth house with Habitat for Humanity. All heavy construction is complete with all the usual volunteer work kicking in, like painting, trim work, tiling, installation of cabinets and appliances! Volunteer hours are Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Saturdays from 7:30 am to Noon. The VYC Charitable Foundation has been organizing the volunteer effort and we are beginning to approach our 200 hour minimum commitment, but we really need more arms and legs to help us cross the finish line before our June deadlines!
Our picture tells a thousand words with smiling faces from Left to Right: Don Healy (Chair), Sylvia Hollister, Cherie Major, Warren Major (Volunteer Lead) and Michael Nemser.
| Venice Yacht Club ~ 1330 Tarpon Center Drive ~ Venice, FL 34285 ~ Phone: (941) 488-7708 Copyright ©2024 ~ All Rights Reserved |
 |