Expo on island volunteer opportunities draws full house

Apr 5, 2023 By CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS 2 min read

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS From left, Porter Goss, David Mintz and Chauncey Goss were speakers at the “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” on March 30 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva Executive Director Maria Espinoza, left, talks to attendees at the “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” on March 30 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS Representatives from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum speak with attendees at the “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” on March 30 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS CROW Executive Director Alison Charney Hussey talks to attendees at the “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” on March 30 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

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CHARITABLE FOUNDATION OF THE ISLANDS CFI Executive Director Dolly Farrell with speakers Chauncy Goss, Porter Goss and David Mintz at the “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” on March 30 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel.

Hosted by the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, in partnership with its Leadership Sanibel-Captiva program’s Class of 2022, the inaugural “Get Inspired! SanCap Volunteer Expo” on March 30 at BIG ARTS on Sanibel drew more than 300 attendees.

It connected those interested in making a difference with representatives from over 15 local nonprofits and organizations. Participants provided information about their activities, distributed literature and signed up volunteers, while attendees also received a copy of the Sanibel-Captiva Nonprofit Directory.

CFI Board Chair Chip Roach served as the master of ceremonies for program and stressed the importance of developing new leaders and enhancing community unity.

“As we work to rebuild our community, our nonprofits and community organizations will play a critical role,” he said. “They will need help now more than ever. This event is the start to identifying the next generation of leaders to help us accomplish that.”

Also addressing attendees were Sanibel residents Porter Goss and his son, Chauncey Goss, as well as Captiva Community Panel Vice President and Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz.

“Nothing could be more energizing to me after everything we have gone through collectively since Hurricane Ian than to see the spirit of the people in the nonprofits, the volunteers and the people doing the hard work in rebuilding,” Porter Goss said.

The participants included the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum, BIG ARTS, Captiva Civic Association, Captiva Community Panel, Captiva Island Historical Society, CFI, Children’s Education Center of the Islands, Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Community Housing and Resources, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel Community Association, Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, Sanibel School Fund and Sanibel Sea School.

The event was underwritten by The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.

To watch a video of the event, visit www.mycfi.org.

To access the nonprofit directory, visit online and click on the “How We Help” tab.