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Pine Island F.I.S.H. (Fellow Islanders Sending Help)

Christmas Toy Store, 2022

Volunteers waiting for the first arrivals

A generous donation from the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

A generous donation from the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

Pine Island FISH (Fellow Islanders Sending Help), along with the  generous support of individuals in the community, and corporate and  nonprofit support throughout Southwest Florida, were able to make 125  island family’s Christmas holiday a little brighter this year. The group  is pleased to announce almost 300 Greater Pine Island and Matlacha  children the opportunity to replace some of their toys lost due to  Hurricane Ian.  


Karen Durand, Basket Brigade chair said, “We  wanted to implement our annual program, especially with the significant  losses our islanders experienced, but were unsure of the number of  children who would be returning to the island, post hurricane. In  addition, we were faced with significant challenges in terms finding  usable space to collect and distribute the toys, enough volunteer help  to implement the program given everyone’s focus on their own property,  and finding enough donors since much of past donations have come in from  businesses on the island. It turns out almost everyone came back since  the total number of families and children who pre-registered was very  similar to last year.” 


She  continued, “We changed the format to be a toy store to better  accommodate our challenges and remain flexible. It allowed our parents  to shop for the kids. The outpouring of support from individuals through  the churches, businesses who have reopened and many others throughout  Southwest Florida has been overwhelming to the point of allowing each  child to receive 4-5 toys plus stocking stuffers. 


“Due to significant donations from Pine  Island Winn-Dixie, Matlacha Quilts R Us, Matlacha Hookers, the Blessing  Bags Project and Midwest Food Bank, we were also able to host a gift  store for children to shop for their parents or guardian, so everyone in  the family benefited. In addition, we were able to make 30 additional  gift bags for distribution to seniors who live on the island.”



A generous donation from the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

A generous donation from the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

A generous donation from the Fishers of Men Lutheran Church

The FISH Basket Brigade Christmas Store program was a huge success,  primarily due to the generous donations and support from the  Matlacha/Pine Island District Fire Stations, OLMM Catholic Church,  Fishers of Men Lutheran Church, Pine Island United Methodist Church,  First Baptist Church of Pine Island, Pine Island Library, Friends of the  Library, American Legion, VFW North Fort Myers and Pine Island  Auxiliaries, American Legion Auxiliary, Centennial Bank, First Horizon  Bank,  Matlacha Hookers, the Matlacha “Quilts R Us” Club, Winn-Dixie, Bokeelia Art Gallery, Greater Pine Island Kiwanis  Club, the Greater Pine Island Elks, Pine Island Chamber of Commerce,  Pine Island Leaders of Tomorrow (PILOT), Creative Coast Preschool, Cape  Royal Community and Golf Club, RE/MAX Sunshine, Real Tours, Sam’s Club,  Open Text, Classic Christian Academy in N. Fort Myers, the Blessing Bags  Project in Bradenton, Healthy Start, Lee County Sheriff CRU, United Way  Lee County and many individual donors both on the island and across the  country. 


Darcy Conner, incoming Basket Brigade chair said, “Regardless  of the format, the FISH Basket Brigade program continues to be a  resounding success which our parents very much appreciate. All the  volunteers felt so grateful to be part of this community program. Seeing  the smiles and gratitude on our client’s faces makes it all worthwhile.  It proves once again, the island truly does take care of its own. Thank  you from the bottom of our hearts!” 

Guy Vaughn, Pine Island FISH president said, “We  are so thankful to have dedicated volunteers make these big programs  happen.


We greatly appreciate the return of many individuals and groups  from outside our area this year who responded right after the hurricane  by boat and road with much needed emergency supplies. This Christmas Toy  Store offered many of them yet another way to help our islanders get  back on their feet. 


New volunteers for all our  programs are always welcome.”


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