Lance Shearer
Correspondent
Camp Able returned to Marco Island last week, with a new location and a new format. The camp, which provides a week of fun, activities and camaraderie for those with diverse abilities, set up for the first time at Wesley United Methodist Church (WUMC), and for the first time, was a day camp, rather than a sleepover arrangement.
Last year, the camp was held virtually due to pandemic restrictions, and for seven years before that, it took place at St. Mark Episcopal Church. Former St. Mark’s pastor Kyle Bennett was the founder of Camp Able, which has now spread to additional locations in Florida and Mississippi, a total of four different states, and Camp Director Callie Benvenutti is the daughter of Kyle and Dody Bennett, who were there to kick off the festivities.
Rotary celebrates year with awards and installation of new board
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The Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime celebrated its successful 2020-21 Year and installed the new officers and board for the 2021-22 Rotary year.
The meeting opened with invocation and pledge by club member, Reverend Jessica Babcock. Linda Sandlin, outgoing president, wrapped up the year, “This has been a challenging year for the world, our country, and our community but all of you have risen to the challenge and I am so proud and grateful to all of you.
“Rotary is all about doing good in our communities and in the world. We are people of action. For the hungry you supported Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Our Daily Bread, Collier Harvest and Meals of Hope. For the children, you supported eight college scholarships, Educate the Children, Shelter for Abused Women & Children, Joy of Giving, Camp Florida, District Youth Peace Action, District Literacy Committee, Project Graduation, the Center for the
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07.10.21
Marco Island and the surrounding area is fortunate to have very generous volunteers who support activities that benefit the local population as well as our many visitors. This was exemplified when 55 volunteers joined four Friends of Tigertail board members for a quarterly beach cleanup.
All ages were represented, with families, individuals and groups participating, including Rick LoCastro, Collier County Commissioner for District 1, members of the United Church of Marco Island, as well as the Marco Island Noon Rotary. Eleven students received certificates of participation.
Around 73 pounds of trash was collected, including 55 pounds of garbage and 18 pounds of recyclables, improving the area for beach visitors and wildlife as well. Not only did participants volunteer their time, but other donations added to the success of the event. Several volunteers brought their own reusable supplies, and Collier County donated reusable bags, enabling a significant reductio
Marco Island Rotary Club Noontime announces 2021 scholarship recipients
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Rotary International’s founder, Paul P. Harris, once said, “Rotary changes us and those we serve. I believe we can change the world one life at a time.”
As to Scholarship Committee Chair Durell Buzzini said, “the members of the Marco Island Rotary Club Noontime hope that in some small way they have made a difference in the lives of eight deserving local graduating high school seniors.”
The Noontime Club has been helping students through its scholarship program for almost 50 years. From modest beginnings, the program has grown but this year the Club was presented with unique and significant challenges. The pandemic severely limited the ability of Marco Island Rotary Club Noontime to raise the usual funds to support the Scholarship Program. The club was not to be deterred however so despite this obstacle, the members were still able to award seven Freshmen Grants of $3,000 each and one fou