provided to The Santiva Chronicle
Beautiful shells, smiling families, and bustling local businesses made for an unforgettable afternoon. Hundreds of residents and visitors took part in the Love Sanibel Back Shell Stroll, held July 13, one of the signature events of Love Sanibel Back’s Beach Kindness Week.
600 Shell Stroll maps were handed out to participants at Bubbly Latitude, which marked 40 participating businesses and organizations. There, they collected painted and natural shells while discovering the many unique shops, restaurants, nonprofits, and attractions that make the island special.
After collecting stamps from at least 10 locations, participants redeemed their completed maps at St. Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church. There, they enjoyed shell painting hosted by Santiva Islanders, complimentary frozen custard from The Shack of Sanibel, beautifully decorated seashell cookies donated by Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream, and shell-themed prizes, including painted shells by Shell Fairy Jayne Witkie.
“The Shell Stroll was everything we hoped it would be,” said Sue Van Oss, coordinator of Love Sanibel Back. “People from near and far spent the afternoon exploring Sanibel together, local businesses welcomed hundreds of visitors through their doors, and people discovered places they had never visited before. It perfectly captured the spirit of Love Sanibel Back—supporting local businesses while creating meaningful community experiences.”
Each Shell Stroll stop added its own creativity to the event by offering a unique shell for participants to collect. This made every stop a surprise and encouraged guests to explore different areas of the island. The event also introduced visitors to businesses they may not have otherwise discovered while strengthening connections throughout the community. Fiona came from Hollywood Fl and remarked, “Even though we have been coming here for decades, I visited so many shops I had never been to before.”
Love Sanibel Back organizers expressed their gratitude to the 40 participating Shell Stroll businesses and organizations, along with the volunteers, sponsors, and community partners whose generosity made the event possible.
“Seeing children proudly carrying their shells, families laughing together, and businesses welcoming so many new faces reminded us why this initiative continues to grow,” Van Oss said. “When we support one another and celebrate what makes Sanibel unique, everyone benefits.”
Love Sanibel Back continues throughout the summer with weekly themes designed to encourage residents and visitors to support local businesses, connect with neighbors, give back to the community, and celebrate island life.
For upcoming events and weekly activities, follow Love Sanibel Back on social media or online here.
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