Chamber, Modern Woodmen, others team up to raise funds to replace Little League scoreboard
When Chamber President Melissa Koferl heard that the Pine Island Little League scoreboard was no longer functioning, she felt this was a great opportunity for the Greater Pine Island Chamber of Commerce to demonstrate once again how being a member of the local chamber can help the community.
After Little League spokeswomen Rhonda Dooley informed Koferl of their plight, she contacted Lenny Canova of Modern Woodmen, a fraternal financial services company, who suggested they combine their efforts.
Modern Woodmen has pledged $2,500 in matching funds towards the purchase of a new scored board. Together they came up with idea of a Fish Fry for The Little League to be held Saturday, Oct. 15, from 11 a.m. till 4 p.m., at Pine Island Fire Station #1, 5700 Pine Island Road.
Koferl then reached out to well-known local artist Mel Meo, who offered her mullet expertise for an old-fashioned fish fry. Mike and Rhonda Dooley have donated the mullet and will also be there to help cook and serve for the day. When Winn-Dixie found out about the project, it, too, stepped in to help and, of course, so did the Matlacha/Pine Island Fire Department, which offered to host the fish fry on its property.
The chamber is hoping the community will participating by attending, but for those who cannot be there, the chamber is also accepting donations from individuals and businesses at the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce office, 3640 S.W. Pine Island Road, or by calling 239-283-0888
Islanders are invited to join in on the fun and help the boys and girls of Pine Island by attending the fish fry for The Little League! Meo and the Dooleys, along with chamber Board of Directors,, will be serving a mullet dinner with two sides and hushpuppies for $10, and a mullet sandwich for $5.
The Little League Board will be selling popcorn and baked goodies. Water, donated by Winn-Dixie, will also be for sale.
Come early, as organizers will be serving only 300 dinners.
A local resident expressed the need for a new scoreboard by sharing a memory: “Especially when we were beating the pants off of the Sanibel Little League team, and our scoreboard was flickering on and off.”