Sanctuary Foundation Supports School, Charity Golf Classic

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Linda Linsmayer (The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation), left, Steve Peltzman (SGCF), Dana Foster (Sanibel School Fund), Joel Levine (SGCF), Lisa Schmidlin (SGCF), Ken Kouril (SGCF), Kate Shaffer (SSF), and Gretchen Strong-Betten (SSF)

The Sanctuary Golf Club will once again host the Sanibel School Fund’s Blue Ribbon Golf Classic on May 15, a critical fundraiser for the island’s school.

The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation, continuing its commitment to supporting the island’s youth and families, this year also assumes the role as one of the title sponsors of the annual event.

After a postponement in 2020, the Blue Ribbon Golf Classic returns this year for a day of golf and goodwill in support of The Sanibel School, the K-8 public school that serves the island communities. The Blue Ribbon Classic has been held on Sanibel since 2007.

The Sanctuary has played host to event every year that is has been held. With the creation of the club’s foundation two years ago, representatives from the club say it was a natural fit to not only host the event, but support the school as well.

“Our Foundation’s mission is to support organizations that positively impact the lives of people who live or work on the islands,” said Ken Kouril, Executive Director of The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation. “For our families with children who live and work here on Sanibel and Captiva, so many of them rely on The Sanibel School for their children’s education. It’s an important piece of life on the island, so our board and members are honored to support the programs that make that school so special.”

The Sanctuary’s contributions and all other funds raised through the Blue Ribbon Classic supplement The Sanibel School’s budget to enhance the curriculum. The Sanibel School Fund aims to raise $125,000 before the end of this school year to support the unique STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program at the school, as well as other special services, programs, and supplies.

While the school is public, the private funds from the community are important to maintaining the school’s Blue Ribbon status, improving its ranking as one of the best elementary and middle schools in the state, and — most importantly — providing the best education it can for our Islands’ students.

“The Sanctuary has been such a great friend to the school and the Fund for so long,” said Jeff Muddell, president of the Sanibel School Fund. “Our golfers and sponsors are always thrilled by the experience at the club. And now, with the club giving directly to the School through a grant and sponsorship, that makes the day at The Sanctuary even more special.”

Joining The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation at the title sponsor level are families with children enrolled in the Sanibel School – the Doss Family Fund and the Filkins Family.

Additional premier sponsors to date are Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, the Sampas Family, and Doc Ford’s. They are joined by grand sponsors Brenda and Marty Harrity, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, Bank of the Islands, and The Stevens Family and June Bailey.

Opportunities to join as a philanthropic partner begin at $1,000 and include a foursome of golf. Partnerships are also available at the $2,500 and $5,000 levels. Individual playing spots are $300.

Even if you are not a golfer, your gifts to The Sanibel School are encouraged. If you are interested in joining the event or making a gift, please contact TheSanibelSchoolFund@gmail.com or Jeff Muddell at 321-217-3946.

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