Kiwanis Club, TIB to host Gold Exchange next week
Those looking for a way to earn some fast cash will have an opportunity to do so next week. Turn unwanted gold and silver items into dollars when the Greater Pine Island Kiwanis hosts a Gold Exchange. The exchange will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the TIB Bank at 9820 Stringfellow Road in St. James City. Everyone is invited to bring in all types of items made of gold or silver, including broken rings and chains, unmatched earrings, knotted or kinked chains, pendants, silver platters and tea sets and even dental gold. Purchasing the unwanted items will be representatives from Noble Jewelers, which will pay for the items on the spot with a check.
Serving as a fund raiser, a portion of the proceeds from the gold and silver sales will be donated to the Pine Island Kiwanis Club.
Among those who benefit from the funds raised by the Kiwanis are high school students who receive financial assistance through the Kiwanis scholarship program, the Pine Island Little League, the Fire Academy scholarships, Pine Island Elementary School, student educational field trips, Mariner High School’s Project Graduation, Fellow Islanders Sending Help (FISH), Mariner High School Band, Pine Island Elementary School Outstanding Student Award, Pine Island bike path Oasis program, Pine Island Beacon of HOPE, church youth groups and the annual Fall Festival.
Since 1987, the island Kiwanis Club has presented more than $100,000 in scholarships to island students to assist them with higher education.
The next event to be presented by the Kiwanis is the annual Fall Festival for island children. Staged at Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Bokeelia, the day will offer the children the opportunity to wear their Halloween costumes, play numerous games, jump in a large bounce house, dine on a free lunch, receive goody bags and much more. This event is free for all of the children on Pine Island and will take place from on Oct. 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Later this year, the Kiwanis will offer another free event for island children. This fun-filled day will be the annual Jr. Olympics which will take place on Dec. 5 at the Bobby Holloway Jr. Memorial Baseball Field at the island center. This event encourages island children to stay fit by participating in several events that involve running, catch and throwing balls and Frisbees. This event also is free to island children and each participant will receive an official Jr. Olympic T-shirt and with winners of each event in each age category will take home a ribbon to commemorate their accomplishments.
Fund raisers run and organized by the Kiwanis include Waterfront Day at the Waterfront Restaurant in St. James City when the members work in shifts helping to tie off boats, bus tables and peel shrimp for donations. The major event sponsored by the Kiwanis is the Taste of Pine Island/Fish Drop which takes place at the island center each winter.
To learn more about the Greater Pine Island Kiwanis Club, attend one of their weekly meetings which take place beginning with breakfast at 7:30 a.m. at Bert’s Bar and Grill in Matlacha.