Sanibel School Readies for Annual Golf Classic

provided to The Santiva Chronicle

Spots are filling up quickly for the Sanibel School Fund’s Blue Ribbon Classic Golf Tournament, slated for The Sanctuary Golf Club on Saturday, May 15. The school’s teachers, families, and students hope that every resident of the islands will contribute to this critical fundraiser for The Sanibel School.

The Blue Ribbon Classic has been held on Sanibel since 2007. COVID-19 forced the cancelation of the 2020 event, which was a setback for fundraising for the school.

All funds raised through the Blue Ribbon Classic supplement The Sanibel School’s budget to enhance the curriculum. 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.

Volunteers with the Sanibel School Fund are working feverishly with leadership at The Sanctuary and the community to provide a safe and successful outdoor event in 2021 – the event’s 15th year.

“The event will feel a little different this year, but the changes will allow us to make the experience even more enjoyable,” said Jeff Muddell, president of the Sanibel School Fund. “Our golfers will not be disappointed. And every dollar we raise is so valuable, especially this year.”

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 will be $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.

Several families and community businesses have already stepped up to provide support for this year’s fundraising efforts. Title sponsors include The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation, the Doss Family Fund and the Betten Family.

Additional premier sponsors to date are Sanibel Captiva Community Bank, the Filkins Family, and the Sampas Family. They are joined by grand sponsors Brenda and Marty Harrity, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, and Bank of the Islands.

Because of the size of the Sanibel School — about 300 students — the budget provided by the school district, calculated per pupil, does not provide robust funding to support special programs. Therefore, the Sanibel and Captiva communities have supported the Sanibel School Fund through financial gifts, making possible such programs as a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program, a dedicated Spanish teacher, and a student leadership program.

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