Love Sanibel Back to return for summer
For the third year in a row, a community-wide initiative will return for the summer, inviting residents, visitors and businesses to come together in support of the island and to connect as a community.
Organized by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Love Sanibel Back will take place from June 1 through Aug. 9, with one of two kickoff events planned for May 31. This year, more than 70 businesses are participating in the initiative, which will conclude with an island gathering in November.
“At its heart, Love Sanibel Back is about more than events — it is about connection, gratitude and resilience,” the Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss, rector for the church, said. “By participating, each of us plays a role in strengthening the spirit and future of our island community.”
The first kickoff event for the initiative will be held on May 31 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Sanibel Island Farmers Market at City Hall on Sanibel. A table will be set up with this year’s schedule and swag.
“This is really the first opportunity people have to stop and pick up a free Love Sanibel Back button and a free Love Sanibel Back tote bag,” church Director of Communications, Community Engagement and Formation Sue Van Oss said.
“We’ll have a big photo booth with a new backdrop,” she added.
Van Oss noted that dozens of the participating businesses will offer incentives over the summer for shoppers sporting the button or tote bag, including 10-20% off or a free class for new customers.
For those unable to make it to the farmers market to get their swag, the church will have the free buttons and tote bags available at its office, which can be picked up during its business hours.
A second kickoff event will take place on June 4 on the rooftop of the Shalimar Beach Resort on Sanibel. The Sunset Happy Hour will feature a wine tasting from A Bit of Bailey’s and light bites from Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille. Registration was required to attend, however, and it is now closed.
From June through August, each week will feature a theme and simple “Spread Joy” idea or action.
“We wanted to expand it so people didn’t feel that they had to go every week and buy something or shop,” she said, referring to the initiative in past years. “We wanted to make it bigger than that.”
“We kind of brainstormed, ‘What makes Sanibel special?'” Van Oss added. “It’s the beach. It’s the sunrises and it’s the sunsets. It’s the neighbors. It’s eating local.”
Running from June 1-7, the Week 1 theme is “Sunrises & Sunsets.” People are encouraged to share their favorite Sanibel sunrise or sunset photo on Facebook or Instagram using #lovesanibelback.
“We really wanted to focus on, from morning to night, the uniqueness of Sanibel,” she said. “Take a pic of your favorite and hashtag #lovesanibelback.”
The rest of the weekly themes will be:
– June 8-14: Welcome to Summer
– June 15-21: Eat Local
– June 22-28: Neighbors Connect
– June 29 to July 5: Gratitude Week
– July 6-12: Christmas In July Week
– July 13-19: Beach Kindness Week
– July 20-26: Wild Mile Week
– July 27 to Aug. 2: Give Back Week
– Aug. 3-9: Celebrate Local Love
With the hashtag #lovesanibelback incorporated into every week, the church will feature people’s photos on the website and in a photo gallery, with possible prizes for randomly selected ones.
In addition, there will be special community events and gatherings.
“We’ve always had the big culminating event at the end, but we also wanted to offer some free events throughout the summer,” Van Oss said. “We tried to have morning, afternoon and evening events.”
Those will include:
– June 25: Sip, Surprise & Create from 9 to 11 a.m.
– July 7: Christmas in July from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
– July 13: Shell Stroll from noon to 4 p.m.
The Love Sanibel Community Gathering will wrap up the initiative on Nov. 1 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Sanibel Recreation Center. It will feature food and drinks, displays by nonprofits, door prizes from businesses and more, plus an art show by The Sanibel School and Seahorse Chorale performance.
“It’s really a time to welcome back our snowbirds, celebrate the end of summer and, hopefully, a quiet hurricane season,” she said. “Just bring everyone together in celebration of the spirit of Sanibel and what makes Sanibel so unique.”
Financial supporters of this year’s Love Sanibel Back include: Charitable Foundation of the Islands as the premier sponsor; Florida Trust Wealth Management as the community champion sponsor; and Bank of the Islands, Breakaway Vacation Properties and Periwinkle Park as island supporter sponsors.
“As this program has expanded, we couldn’t do it without the help of our generous sponsors, so we really appreciate their help,” Van Oss said.
The initiative is also made possible through a partnership with the city and SanCap Chamber.
“We greatly appreciate them, as well,” she said.
The community is encouraged to take part.
“Love Sanibel Back reminds us that every purchase made, every act of kindness, even sharing a simple joy, is an investment in the future of Sanibel. It shows what makes Sanibel really unique,” Van Oss said. “We need each other — and being a part of Love Sanibel Back really makes a difference.”
For more information, visit https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/love-sanibel-back or https://linktr.ee/lovesanibelback.
For questions, contact 239-472-2173 or communications@saintmichaels-sanibel.org.
Those not in town can still participate in the initiative and support island businesses through shopping online at a dedicated Love Sanibel Back page at https://www.saintmichaels-sanibel.org/lsb-online.