The Spirit of Giving

The Rotary Club of Marco Island Noontime held its 13th Annual Spirit of Marco Island Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the Bistro Soleil Restaurant.

Honorees included Hyla Crane, the United Church of Marco Island along with the Bargain Basket, the Marco Island Yacht Club and Arne and Jill Sandberg. 

Rotarian Jim Richards also had the honor of making a surprise presentation to Lori O’Donnell Parquette, who was recognized with the “Unsung Hero Award” for her mainly behind-the-scenes volunteer work for several organizations on the Island.

The gala included a cash appeal for the Noontime Rotary Club’s College and Vocational Scholarship Fund, which raised over $64,000! Those in attendance viewed two short videos of current scholarship recipients and were moved by their inspiring stories of overcoming poverty and hardships to become the first in their families to attend college. They acknowledged the Noontime Rotary Club for making this possible, thanks to the College Scholarship Grant they received from the club.

The appeal began with an anonymous Rotarian pledging $12,000 in a matching grant to fund a four-year scholarship. The challenge was quickly accepted by a generous couple. The tremendous outpouring of generosity was awe-inspiring and reflected the evening’s theme of “Spirit of Marco.”

In addition to the cash appeal, funds were raised through Event Sponsorships and a silent auction generously provided for by local businesses and Rotarians that raised funds to support local students, schools and charitable causes.

The Spirit of Marco Island awards are presented each year to individuals, businesses and organizations that are civically involved through their contribution of time, talent and financial support of community causes. The Spirit Award recipients were nominated by local residents and other civic organizations and were ultimately selected by a committee of Rotary Club of Marco Island members.

Each of the four honorees was presented with their official award by Rotary Club President Kathy Pasternak in front of a crowd of nearly 160 persons that included local dignitaries, family, friends and business leaders, all of whom enjoyed a plated dinner, cash bar and silent auction.

The Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island is a community and international service organization that takes great pride in acknowledging this year’s honorees for their incredible contributions to our island paradise!

Anyone interested in joining the Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island may contact Al Diaz at 239-438-5285 or by email at manager@royalmarcoway.com.

The Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island wishes to thank all of the Sponsors for this event:

Spirt Award Winners Platinum Sponsors: Marco Island Yacht Club, Kathryn Pasternak with Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Jim and Allyson Richards along with The Center for the Arts, Diana Bellini with PNC Private Bank, and Alan and Linda Sandlin of the Sandlin Team at RE/MAX Affinity Plus. 

Gold Sponsors: Al and Myrna Diaz, Erik and Nancy Brechnitz, Greg and Margo Folley, Greater Good Marco Inc., Philip Penzo of Marco Office Supply, Tom Menaker, Mike and Wendy Ring and Yvonne Bourk of US Bank.

Silver Sponsors: Al and Yvette Benarroch of Affordable Landscaping Service and Design, Danny Diaz of Tonal Technology, Coastal Breeze News, Marco Island Florist, J Robert, Jennifer Tenney Esq. of Tenney Law PLLC and Dr. Megan Welker DDS.

Bronze Sponsors: Prem Advani, Bob and Rebecca Brisbois, Davis Security Solutions, Durell Buzzini, RLP, Pat Ettensohn, Wayne and Sue Haviland, Karl and Stephanie Kann, LCEC- Lee County Electric Cooperative, Joel Miller, CPA, Gene and Ann D’Onofrio and Where Spines Align Chiropractic.