provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Resting in the newly refurbished gazebos: Lori Schulz, Lions Club first vice president; Jim Meyer, president of the Sanibel Bicycle Club; Dennis Funderburg and Bernard Arroyo, bike club members; and Jeff Decker, DDWS philanthropic director.

After more than 25 years and several battering storms, the two gazebos on the shared use path on Sanibel-Captiva Road needed a little love. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) stepped in and — with assistance from the Sanibel Bicycle Club, the Sanibel Captiva Lions Club, and the city of Sanibel — was able to give the gazebos a much-needed facelift this summer.

“The gazebos have been a welcomed respite for our visitors from all over the world since 1998,” said Jim Meyer, president of the Sanibel Bicycle Club.

DDWS funded full roof replacement for the waystations, while the Sanibel Bicycle Club, with assistance from the city of Sanibel, power-washed, sanded, and stained the interiors.

The Lions Club contributed financial support, and the city of Sanibel provided a water-tank truck for the bike club to use for initial power-washing. Work was completed mid- January.

“We are very proud of the results,” said Jeff Decker, DDWS philanthropic director. “ The gazebos sit on J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge property, and their restoration was part a larger beautification project. Great things can happen for our island when groups work together for its betterment.”

ABOUT DDWS
As a non-profit 501(c)3 organization, DDWS works to support J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge’s mission of conservation, wildlife and habitat protection, research, and public education through charitable donations and Refuge Nature Shop profits. To support DDWS and the refuge with a tax-deductible gift, visit dingdarlingsociety.org or Ann-Marie Wildman at 239-789-8991 or wildman@dingdarlingsociety.org.

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