Key West The Newspaper

Every day, nearly 150 of the island’s nonprofits work diligently to make a difference in our community. On Saturday, January 23rd at 5:00 pm, citizens can support four of these notable organizations by simply gathering together to celebrate at Fort East Martello for a “Picnic Under The Stars”— a fundraiser presented by Boys & Girls Club, Key West Art & Historical Society, Mote Marine Laboratory, and Womankind.

The family-friendly event welcomes all to bring a blanket and enjoy a picnic-style celebration in the grass-covered citadel grounds of the historic Fort located at 3501 South Roosevelt Boulevard. Attendees can feast from pre-ordered gourmet picnic baskets or purchase delectable items from a variety of food truck vendors. The event will also feature live music, libations, and games and activities for kids as well as raffle tickets featuring a cultural trip for two to Cuba, art bikes, signed Guy Harvey prints and more. And the entry fee is only ten dollars, with children twelve and under free.

“This event is about our whole community, so when the four organizations met, we all agreed that affordability is key,” says Key West Art & Historical Society Development Director Christine Nottage. “This is a celebration and everyone will have fun while helping four great organizations.”

Nottage and the Society’s Executive Director Michael Gieda recently reached out to the three other organizations with the idea of a collaborative fundraiser with an “Old Island Days” feel to it—comparable to the historic tradition of picnic events that occurred at the Fort. The Society is steward to the Fort (along with Key West Lighthouse and Keepers Quarters and the Custom House Museum) and has been educating the local community and visiting public by preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting the art, architecture, and history of the Florida Keys for more than 60 years.

“It’s a great opportunity to literally raise a toast and some much-needed funding for the environmental, education, arts and culture, and health care missions that we each maintain,” says Gieda. “Though we are quite different in who we are and what we do, we are all united in our goal of serving the community and broadening our reach. This picnic is a great way to help us do that with fun as the focus.”

In addition to allowing attendees the opportunity to relax and mingle with other supporters and members from the four notable nonprofits, funds raised from the event—which will be split equally— will make a direct impact on each of them.

“We’re an independent marine research organization and as such, we are not specifically funded by a government entity or agency,” says Jason Wolf, Protect Our Reefs Program Manager & Florida Keys Community Officer of Mote Marine Lab for the last 8 years. “We rely on grants, donations, revenue programs, events, and philanthropy to support our operations and work. We’re looking forward to being part of an event where the emphasis is on fun while raising money to support our marine environment.”

Mote looks to the fundraiser to help support their funding efforts for coral reef restoration and research directed towards the changing ocean environment here in the Florida Keys. Like many other independent, non-government funded non-profit agencies, all four organizations count on events such as these to help boost their bottom line.

“Fundraising is a vital link for us,” says Southernmost Boys & Girls Club Executive Director Dan Dombroski, whose 20-year-old local organization currently serves 300 children. “We are constantly faced with government cutbacks and are asked to do more every day with less and less. This year, for example, our state funding has been cut by almost $40,000 and we have to find a way to recoup those funds.”

The fundraising from “Picnic Under The Stars” is a chain in that link that can be measured with direct, positive impacts to the community— on the evening of the event and after.

“Each $1,000 we raise during this picnic will help 5-7 women and men receive an annual exam, blood work, prescriptions and more,” says Womankind Executive Director Kim Romano, whose health care organization has provided high quality medical care to more than 2500 patients each year— men, women and teens of all incomes— for the last 15 years.

The four organizations plan on making “Picnic Under The Stars” an annual event as a means to celebrate “what they accomplish to better our community,” says Nottage.

“It’s a great opportunity to get to know these other organizations all in one fun evening and in a really great setting,” she says. “Not to mention the great sunset view and fabulous star gazing.”

Tickets for this joint fundraiser are only $10 and can be purchased at the door or online at KWAHS.ORG— pre-order your picnic basket online as well.

“Picnic Under The Stars” is sponsored by Shipyard Brewing, Refreshment Services Pepsi, Papa’s Pilar, Bombora Vodka, Guy Harvey Ocean, Green Parrot Bar, and Florida Keys T.R.E.E. Institute. The fundraiser is still seeking donations from local restaurants to help fill the gourmet picnic baskets.

For more information, contact Key West Art & Historical Society Development Director Christine Nottage at 305.295.6616 x 111 or [email protected]