America’s Boating Club Wine and Hors d’Oeuvres Fundraiser

America’s Boating Club Marco Island, also known as Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron, held their yearly fundraiser on January 28th at the San Marco Catholic Church Parish Hall. For the purchase of a $30 ticket, an estimated 265 guests and members enjoyed all the hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer and non-alcoholic beverages they could consume. Rave reviews were heard from the attendees about the quality and variety of the food. In addition to club member food donations, the Carvelli Restaurant Group generously donated hors d’oeuvre offerings from three of their restaurants: The Oyster Society, Marco Prime, and DaVinci’s. Dessert offerings disappeared from trays almost as soon as they were brought out from the kitchen.  The parish hall was decorated in a nautical theme with brightly colored tablecloths, seashell centerpieces, and balloon bouquets.

An unprecedented 52 unique silent auction items were available to bid on during the event. A helicopter ride for three around Marco Island, a March Madness Marco Island Brewery package, a night at the JW Marriott Resort, a Scuba Party in your pool sponsored by Scuba Marco and Edward Jones, artwork and stunning jewelry from Kathein Jewelers were among the exclusive items available to bid on. To promote the club’s love of boating, the silent auction also included sunset dinner cruises, kayaking trips, catamaran sailings, Marco Island eco tours, and pedal boat sunset cruises. Raffle tickets were also sold for 32 raffle bundles valued at $100 to $125 each. All raffles were made up of gift certificates and gift cards from local restaurants and businesses, one given away every four minutes. “We can’t thank our donors and sponsors enough,” stated District Commander Gene Burson. “Without their generosity we would not be able to serve the island with boating education, community service and safe boating campaigns.”

America’s Boating Club Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron is an all-volunteer charity whose mission is to make boating safer and fun for everyone who boats around Marco Island. According to Commander Dave Chaney, Chairman of the Wine and Hors d’Oeuvres Party, monies raised at this year’s fundraiser will help support Beginning Boating classes thru Celestial Navigation courses, Vessel Safety Checks, Co-Operative Charting (ATON surveys between Naples and Port of the Isles), and the nationally recognized Wear-It Campaign. “The delicious quality of our food and impressive diversity of the silent auction items made this one of the most successful events we have ever held” Chaney said. “Our club volunteers were amazing as they served a record crowd for two and a half hours”.

America’s Boating Club Marco Island thanked its members, donors, and sponsors throughout the evening. Every silent auction donor had a sign with a description of the donation and visible presence for their business. Linette Chaney Co-Chair said, “This has been a big success with an amazing turn out. We can’t thank our membership enough for their time and contributions. Seventy-one club members volunteered to make this night a success”.

To learn more about America’s Boating Club, Marco Island visit their website www.marcoboatingclub.org. New members are always welcome.