Golf scramble called successful
Organizers of Butch & Jan’s Golf Scramble deemed this year’s event a success, albeit with heavy hearts.
“This year’s Butch & Jan’s Golf Scramble was great,” organizer Butch Waring said. “This is our 15th year and our first without Jan. She was the organizer of the event and always did a spectacular job bringing people out.”
The annual event was once again held at Alden Pines Country Club in Bokeelia, but this year was held in memory of Janet Green. She ran the golf scramble for 14 years until her passing last year.
“This year the winning team got to choose which charity on the island received the money,” Waring said. “They chose F.I.S.H. because of all the great things they do on Pine Island.”
Waring presented a check for $1,216 to F.I.S.H.
“We’ve had a very difficult August and September this year,” board member Richard Roane said. “There were lots of people that needed assistance. We spent more than $5,000 in August. It’s been a tough summer.”
One of the many services F.I.S.H. offers is assistance with utility bills.
“A lot of people don’t have any insulation in their homes so the air conditioner runs constantly,” Roane said. “When the electric bill comes, they need help.”
“I’d like to thank you Calvin (Butch) for all you’ve done, and all of those who participated in the golf challenge,” Dianne Higgins, president of F.I.S.H., said. “This support helps F.I.S.H. to provide assistance to island families and children.”
Pine Island FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help) offers volunteer assistance with the following services to qualified clients: non-emergency transportation to doctor, grocery, etc; lending mobility equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, shower stools, etc.; emergency assistance for rent, utilities medical, etc.; and respite and in-touch services.
Meetings are the first Thursday of each month at Pine Island United Methodist Church, at 3 p.m. The FISH mailing address is P.O. Box 357, Matlacha, FL 33993. For more information, call 283-4442 or visit www.pineislandfish.org.
Tourney organizers offered thanks to the American Legion #136, Sons of the American Legion #136, American Legion Ladies Auxiliary #136, VFW #4353, VFW Men’s Auxiliary #4353, Ladies Auxiliary #4353, Moose Lodge #1843, Moose #1954, Moose Legion, Bob Maker, Brian Hershberger, Ed and Dorothy Bolka, Bill and Phillis Dowd, Ron and Ann Bobros, Paradise Vending, Sylvia Meyers, Art Haley, Linda and Tom Davis, Steve and Jenifer Welch, Mark and Fay Bethol, Paul Alexander, Ches. Savier, Chuck and Rhonda Akins, Matlacha Hookers and Linda Mitchell.