Upcoming island fundraisers to focus on variety of interests
Over the coming week, the community has the opportunity to support a mix of local causes — the Sanibel historical museum, college scholarships and island organizations, and misplaced and abandoned animals from Hurricane Ian.
Kingfisher Real Estate & Vacation Rentals will present the Matchmaker Adoption Event on Feb. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. at The Community House on Sanibel. Next up, the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club will host SanCap Soul on Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at TCH. Lastly, the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village will hold its Gala Celebration on Feb. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m. at TCH.
MATCHMAKER ADOPTION EVENT
At the first annual Matchmaker Adoption Event, there will be animals available for adoption, along with a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Bailey’s General Store and Island Store wine steward Calli Johnson will serve up wines, while Chef Melissa Donahue, of Sweet Melissa’s Cafe, will have hors d’oeuvres on hand.
The fundraiser will benefit area rescues like Cat Tails and More, Haven on Earth Animal League, Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida and Max’s Ark. One hundred percent of the funds raised will be donated to the affiliates to aid animals that were misplaced and abandoned from the storm.
Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door; those under age 18 are free.
For tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/matchmaker-adoption-event-tickets-781521209977.
For more information, contact Kingfisher at 239-472-4411 or 239-472-2100.
SANCAP SOUL
A celebration of the soul of Sanibel and Captiva, SanCap Soul will feature a cocktail hour with heavy hors d’oeuvres, soul music tunes, a presentation of the club’s impact and progress it has made since the hurricane, and a live auction and “lots of love” led by Rotarian and local auctioneer Tommy Williams.
“We feel the name tells our story and that the evening will prove that Rotarians really care about the soul of islands,” he said.
The auction items will include a $5,000 gift certificate to Congress Jewelers, original artwork by Sanibel artist Rachel Pierce, boating excursions, a dinner for 12 at Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market and a behind-the-scenes tour for 10 with cocktails included at the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium.
The fundraiser will serve in lieu of the the club’s Annual Arts & Crafts Festival this year.
“The festival is our primary fundraiser. It typically generates more than $100,000, which is distributed to various nonprofits,” Rotarian and event chair Scot Congress, who also spearheads the annual festival, said. “Sadly, the lack of visitors on the island made this year’s event impractical. Our nonprofit recipients’ need is the greatest ever — SanCap Soul is our effort to fill the gap.”
All of the proceeds will go directly toward the Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Trust Fund. The funds will be awarded to organizations and nonprofits locally, regionally and internationally through grants.
Locally, the club funds several college scholarships and it helps to support organizations like BIG ARTS, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel-Captiva, the historical museum, the shell museum and TCH, plus Habitat for Humanity and the Harry Chapin Food Bank.
Tickets are $50 per person.
For tickets, visit www.sanibelrotary.org.
For more information, contact Maria Espinoza at 239-314-4712.
GALA CELEBRATION
Marking the 40th anniversary of the historical museum, the Gala Celebration will kick off with a Hurricane Cocktail Hour at 5 p.m., which will feature a specialty Bubbly Bee Hurricane. Catering by Leslie Adams will serve up heavy hors d’oeuvres, which will be available all evening with drinks.
Cyclone Showtime will take place at 7 p.m. It will entail the premiere of “Wreckage, Resilience & Recovery: The History of Hurricanes on Sanibel & Captiva,” the new documentary by award-winning producer and local documentarian Ken Sneeden. The film, which was in the works before Ian made landfall in September of 2022, focuses on the history of hurricanes on the islands.
Tying in with the documentary, three local meteorologists will be in attendance as special guests and will share their storm memories. Robert Van Winkle served as chief meteorologist for 14 years at NBC2, covering Hurricanes Charley, Wilma and Irma before retiring in 2018. Rob Duns joined NBC2 in 2014, forecasting through Irma and Ian. Zach Maloch returned this year to WINK News after a previous stint at WINK from 2016-19.
Gladiolus and rubies — symbolic of a 40th anniversary — will take center stage to add a touch of history to the fundraiser. The museum noted that Fort Myers, once the gladiolus capital of the world, had gladiolus farms in the Iona district, contributing significantly to the area’s agricultural heritage.
Tickets are $150 each.
Island festive attire is encouraged.
For tickets, visit www.SanibelMuseum.org.
For more information, contact Executive Director Mark Harmon at mark@sanibelmuseum.org or 239-472-4648.
The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.
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IF YOU GO
What
Matchmaker Adoption Event
When
Feb. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door; those under age 18 are free
IF YOU GO
What
SanCap Soul
When
Feb. 17 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $50 per person
IF YOU GO
What
Gala Celebration
When
Feb. 20 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Where
The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel
Details
Tickets are $150 each