Island organizations benefit from Mariner fund raisers

Jun 7, 2011 3 min read

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Photo contributed Members of the Matlacha Mariners recently presented a check in the amount of $2,000 to benefit programs offered by the Beacon of HOPE. Pictured are Mariners John Jones, Jim Roach and Fred Byron with Beacon representatives Betsy Haesemyer, Dave Grueser and Pattie Scott, along with Mariners Wayne Reed and Mel Suran.

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To supplement programs offered during Summer Camp in Matlacha, the Mariners recently donated $2,000 to the day camp. Pictured are Mariners John Jones, Orion Anderson, Jim Roach and Fred Byron with camp organizers Sue Slingerland and Nina Richter with Mariners Wayne Reed and Mel Suran.

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Among the benefactors of the Matlacha Mariners, FISH recently was presented with a check for $3,000. Shown are Mariners John Jones, Orion Anderson, Jim Roach and Fred Byron with FISH representatives Diane Higgins and Linda Jacobs as well as Mariners Wayne Reed and Mel Suran.

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The Pine Island Food Pantry was recently presented with a check for $3,000 from the members of the Matlacha Mariners. Present were John Jones, Orion Anderson, Jim Roach and Fred Byron from the Mariners with Dave Grueser of the Food Pantry along with Mariners Wayne Reed and Mel Suran.

Music, summer camp and those in need all received support earlier this year thanks to the hard work and dedication of the members of the Matlacha Mariners.

Each year, this fraternal organization hosts three unique events to benefit the Greater Pine Island community and this year, the Mariners gave more than $15,000 in donations back to the community.

Benefitting most from these efforts were island students seeking a higher education.

This year, the Mariners presented a total of $5,000 in financial assistance to the music program at the Pine Island Elementary School and will present scholarships to college bound island students to aid in furthering their education.

“Without the support of people like Judy Gay who was the former owner of Mulletville in Matlacha and Shirley Butler from Matlacha, the Matlacha Mariners scholarship initiative may have never gotten off the ground,” said Mariner member Jerry Tolliver. “We are glad to inform everyone that as many as five or more deserving students will be eligible to receive special scholarship assistance from the Mariners this year.”

Funds for the scholarships and other benefactors are raised by the Mariners throughout the year. Events hosted by the group include the annual Mullet Toss Championships, the Southwest Florida Seafood Festival and the Southwest Florida Blues Festival. Other benefactors of the Mariner’s generosity and labor were the Beacon of HOPE who received $2,000, FISH was presented with $3,000, Summer Camp held at the Matlacha Community Center received $2,000 and a donation of $3,000 was awarded to the Pine Island Food Pantry.

Donations received by the staff of the Beacon of HOPE are funneled back into the Pine Island community through a variety of programs and services that are primarily focused on the needs of the elderly as well as families and individuals who are in need with temporary financial assistance as well as providing Meals on Wheels for those who are homebound. Among the oldest organizations on the island, FISH is dedicated to providing assistance to seniors in the way of the loan of medical equipment such as wheelchairs and walkers as well as providing transportation to and from medical appointments, dental appointments and grocery shopping for those no longer able to drive themselves. The money donated to the Pine Island Food Pantry will allow volunteers to shop for items that are not generally donated and include fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products and meat so that those in need will leave the pantry with everything they need to prepare complete meals for several days. As for the donation to the Summer Day Camp, the money is used primarily to supplement art supplies and assist in paying for field trips for the children attending during the summer months.

The Matlacha Mariners are a non-profit organization which is dedicated to assisting the Pine Island community and aims to set a good example for the island youth through their demonstrations of charity.

For more information about the Matlacha Mariners, visit matlachamariners.org