Marco Woman’s Club and MIA Give Thanks

The Marco Island Woman’s Club (MIWC) recently met for its November luncheon meeting. It was a Thanksgiving feast complete with turkey and stuffing served with warmth and hospitality by the staff of Naples Lakes Country Club. But the real celebration was one that thrives in our hearts each day as we embrace the message that it is from the act of giving that we truly receive our bounty.

MIWC President Sharyn Kampmeyer opened the meeting with a request of thoughts and prayers for all those displaced from their homes in the Monterrey Condominium due to the recent explosion. Several of the club’s members are residents of the building. We are incredibly grateful that miraculously, there were no injuries. We pray for the safe return of all to their homes soon.

MIWC Education Chair Anne Marchetti delivered an invocation of thanks, calling upon our club’s motto. “Why you were born and why you are living depends on what you are getting out of this world and what you are giving.” Marchetti expressed her gratitude for her amazing experience of being a teacher for thirty years. 

MIWC member Jane Watt is the Chair of the Board and founder of the Marco Island Academy (MIA), our public charter high school. She shared the story of her journey in the school’s development, from an idea she had when her daughter was just in kindergarten, to the formation of the original campus on Winterberry Drive, moving forward to the modular units on San Marco Road, and finally to the magnificent structure and center for learning that MIA is today. It was a rocky road to get there, but Watt shares her keys to success in her book, Fighting for Kids – Battles to Create a Public Charter School. She urges, “Dream BIG. Identify your love, dedicate your priorities, and follow your passion. Believe in yourself, for you are more powerful than you realize. Be not afraid of failure. Learn from mistakes. Always give back. And never-EVER-give up!” MIA Board members Hilary Noyes and Rhonda Balham (a MIWC member) were also on hand displaying their pride and support of the school. 

We were blessed to witness one of the fruits of our efforts as 2019 MIWC Verne Cabooris Scholarship recipient Marshall Daffner joined us to share his story. Daffner expressed his gratitude for the four-year scholarship that helped him achieve his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida, the first leg of his journey to become a trauma surgeon. “Medicine is my calling,” he says. While at USF, he participated in a laboratory exercise where he isolated and named his very own bacteriophage! He has served as a health screener at Moffitt Cancer Center, cherishing the opportunity to speak with patients and see them “ring the bell” at the completion of their treatments. He has obtained an EMT license and is currently working with a private ambulance service in Hillsborough County. He scored an outstanding 512 on the MCAT exam and is awaiting acceptance into medical school. MIWC is grateful for the opportunity of helping Marshall along the way. We know he will be an asset to the medical profession. 

Embracing the act of giving once again, MIWC President Sharyn Kampmeyer presented a check to Meals of Hope Marco Island. MIWC member Sue Purvis gratefully accepted the donation in her new role as Chair of Meals of Hope. MIWC will participate as a team in the Meals of Hope packing event November 18 at the Marco Island Charter Middle School. 

MIWC gratefully welcomed four new members at the luncheon. Anita Drake, Adriana Croy, Karen Caster, and Jill Ambrose have joined us to experience friendship and fun in the spirit of goodwill. Ambrose is the daughter of beloved MIWC member Betty Cioffi, who recently passed. We look forward to many new experiences with these lovely ladies. 

We would love to welcome you to our club as well! Membership is available to all women who live (own or rent) on Marco Island. Please visit https://marcowomansclub.com to learn more.