Casino Night a success for Preserve
To the editor:
On behalf of the Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to all that helped support our annual Casino Night fundraising event on Jan. 30. This fun evening of gaming was held at the American Legion Hall and yielded a profitable amount of money earmarked for the Matanzas Pass Preserves Educational Building fund. Plans are underway to bring in a modular building at the preserves entrance, to be used as an educational stopping point for preserve visitors. The Casino Night fundraiser was possible thanks to the many dedicated volunteers that helped pull this event together and the fabulous sponsors: Pete’s Time Out, Gore Seafood, Sue’s Souvenirs & Gift at the Lani Kai and SunCoast Beverage! A special thank you goes out to John Lallo, Rick O’Connell and Tracey Gore for their donation of time and talents.
The gracious donations from the community of Fort Myers Beach and beyond were incredible! A big thanks to our donors: Allurings, American Legion Hall, Best Western FMB, Blueway Paddling Trail, Capt. Richard Cain, Cathy Olson, Chuck Bodenhafer, Citrola’s Italian Grill, Esterra Spa & Salon, Fishmonger Restaurant, Gore Seafood, Gull Wing Resort, Hair etc. by Ollie, Healing Harbor Massage, Holiday Water Sports, Island Inn on Sanibel, Island Sol, Kelley’s Gourmet Treats, Key West Express, LaOla Restaurant, Lee County Visitor Convention Bureau, Liston Bochette, Local Color, Mango Rita’s, Mango Street Inn, Matanzas on The Bay, Mid Island Water Sports, Mike Campbell, Naples Zoo, Nervous Nellie’s, One Flight Up Salon, Pete’s Time Out, Pier Peddler, Pierside Grill, Pink Shell Resort, Plaka Restaurant, Pure Florida, Red Coconut RV Park, Rick Little, Sanibel Steakhouse, Seminole Casino, Shipwreck, Silver Sands Resort, Skye’s Restaurant, SOB’s, South Beach, Sue’s Souvenirs & Gifts at the Lani Kai, SunCoast Beverage, Terra Nostra Restaurant, The Cigar Hut, The Goodz, The Sea Gypsy Inn, Town & Country Liquor and all those that attended the event.
Because of you, our friends and supporters, we are able to continue our efforts and mission to preserve, protect and enhance this natural and fragile ecosystem, Matanzas Pass Preserve. Sixty acres of protected land on a seven mile barrier island is a valuable resource and will be appreciated by many future generations. If you have never visited the Preserve we hope you’ll make plans to do so. Visit our website at www.friendsofmatanzaspasspreserve.org for directions, program and upcoming events.
Vicki Little & Julie Schwab
Board of Directors
Friends of Matanzas Pass Preserve