Islanders holding community fundraiser
Sanibel residents Richard and Bonnie McCurry have organized a community fundraiser to help the town of Southport, North Carolina, after a recent tragedy that affected the coastal community.
Richard McCurry, owner of The Sanibel Café and a Sanibel Fire and Rescue District commissioner, and Community Housing & Resources (CHR) Housing Administrator Bonnie McCurry were visiting Southport when a mass shooting occurred on Sept. 27 at the American Fish Company that left three people dead and six others injured.
Moved by the strength and heartbreak that they witnessed, they returned home determined to rally support from their own island community to help another one in need. The couple are reaching out to businesses and residents on Sanibel and Captiva to collect items and donations for their fundraiser.
They shared that the effort is about more than just fundraising, it is about connection and compassion. They believe that when one beach community faces hardship, others can and should step forward in support. Their hope is that the fundraiser will bring comfort and assistance to those in Southport while reminding all of the strength that comes from caring for one another.
The McCurrys extended their appreciation to Adventures in Paradise, CHR, On Island, Periwinkle Park, the Sanibel fire district, Shiny Objects and others who have already joined in to help.