Ever-growing sponsor list surpasses the century mark
Although the passage from summer into fall occurred only a week ago, some people on the island are already looking forward to New Year’s Eve.
Since soliciting of sponsors began in mid-June, the City of Sanibel has received the support of more than 100 local businesses, community organizations and private citizens for the 2009 New Year’s Eve Party, to be held at the Sanibel Recreation Center.
According to event coordinator Barry Alan Roth, the New Year’s Eve Party will begin at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 31 and run through Friday, Jan. 1 at 12:30 a.m. An all-you-can-eat buffet will include hot dogs, pizza, veggie trays, popcorn, desserts and more. Beverages will include soft drinks, root beer floats, milkshakes, coffee and tea.
“We’re still hoping to top 200 sponsors,” said an elated Roth. “That would be just amazing. Of course, we’re delighted with the progress so far, but we’re really hoping to achieve that goal.”
All proceeds from the Dec. 31 event will support scholarships – awarded upon financial need – for children who enroll in the After School and Summer Childcare programs at the Rec Center.
As of last week, the list of party sponsors (in order of participation) includes Biddles Bucket, Biddle’s Restaurant & Piano Bar, Sanibel Dairy Queen, Pfeifer Realty Group, The Sanibel Caf, Bank Of The Islands, The Roepstorff Family, Lazy Flamingo, Periwinkle Park & Campground, Chocolate Expressions, Giggles, SanCap One Source Realty, Sanibel Deli & Coffee Factory, Chuck and Helen Ketteman, Val Ward Cadillac, Sanibel Beauty Salon, Lily & Company, Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, Gulf Breeze Cottages, Cheeburger Cheeburger, Sanibel Shell Automotive, Select Vacation Properties, ShopOnSanibel.com, Pak ‘N’ Ship, Sandcastle Construction Company and Zurbriggen Financial.
Also on the sponsor list are Island Styles Remodeling, Bailey’s General Store, Bailey’s True Value Hardware Store, Sanibel Packing Company, Maryanne Daly and Jerry Edelman, Barefoot Charley’s Painting & Laura, Amy’s Something Special, Suncatchers’ Dream, Over Easy Cafe, Island Paws, Sanibel Community Church, Art In The Tree Tops Gallery, The Grog Shop, Sam and Cookie Bailey, Sanibel Seashell Industries, Traders Store & Cafe, Billy’s Bike Shop & Segway of Sanibel, The Lighthouse Cafe, Murty & Monk P.A, Forever Green Ace Hardware, Julie and Tim O’Neill, The Herb Strauss Schoolhouse Theater, Kay and John Morse, Sarah Ashton and John Metzler, Paul and Lucy Roth, Island Vacations of Sanibel & Captiva, Inc., Big Red “Q.” Island Graphics and Ginny Fleming.
More recent additions to the sponsor list includes Zebis Computer & Technology Source, The Sanctuary Golf Club, Pinocchio’s, Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club, Lynn and Ed Ridlehoover, MacIntosh Books & Paper, The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, Green Building Solutions, Lighthouse Realty, Lily Brown, Finnimore’s Bike & Beach Rental, Ireland Yacht Sales, Glen and Phyllis Gresham, Sandy Bordiuk, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Mick and Sue Denham, Island Pharmacy Children’s Education Center of The Islands, ‘Tween Waters Inn, Phaidra Velarde-McDermott, The Bubble Room, Hungry Heron Eatery and Nancy and Pete Bender.
Roth also noted that there are several event sponsors who have made financial contributions, but who wish to remain anonymous.
Proceeds from the sale of party-sponsorship signs – $135 and $195 – help island workers so their children can attend the City of Sanibel Recreation After School Program, fun days at the Rec Center when the school is closed, and summer camp at the facility.
“We’re trying to cover all of their costs to provide After School care for all of the eligible workers on the islands’ families,” added Roth. “This is truly a labor of love for me.”
For more information, call Barry Alan Roth, a Kiwanian and Lifetime Member of the Sanibel Recreation Center, at 239-313-9591 or Crystal Mansell, Executive Assistant to the City Manager, at 472-3700.