The Friends of Boca Grande Community Center convened for its annual meeting on March 12, 2024, reflecting on a challenging year marked by recovery from hurricanes and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Executive Director Marta Howell emphasized the resilience of the organization, stating that even the staff had doubts about their ability to recover after the latest hurricanes.
The aftermath of Hurricane Milton brought significant challenges, including flooded offices and lost materials. Howell recounted the struggle faced by the organization when staff member Sharon Hawkins lost all pledge cards due to the storm. “We had to scramble quite often,” Howell noted, highlighting the need for adaptability. In the wake of the disaster, the staff operated from marine trailers while the Community Center campus was inundated with five feet of water.
Despite these setbacks, the community rallied around the center. Donations from ticket holders and sponsors helped cushion the financial blow from canceled events. Howell acknowledged the quick response from local authorities, stating, “Lee County had already cleaned up before Milton hit. There is no way we could have responded so quickly.”
As the season began later than usual, the Friends of Boca Grande organized programs at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, enabling them to resume activities by the end of January 2024.
Financial Overview and Organizational Changes
During the meeting, Chairman Steve Lauglin provided an update on the organization’s bylaws, outlining new membership requirements and ratifying minutes from previous meetings. The board also welcomed new directors, including Theresa Behrendt and Dod Fraser, while Tom Wilcox and Peter Powell were re-elected to their positions.
The financial report presented at the meeting revealed robust fundraising efforts. The total income for the Renaissance Fund was reported at $4,547,753, with operational income of $1,886,129. Total expenses for the year reached $1,588,752. Notably, assets for the Renaissance Fund stood at $14,742,239, and operational assets were listed at $3,938,955.
In closing, the organization expressed gratitude to long-serving board members Susan Haggarty, Barbara Edgerton, and Jim May for their dedication and contributions over the years. The meeting underscored the commitment of the Friends of Boca Grande Community Center to serve the community and adapt in the face of adversity.
