Rotary offering low, low price for charity cruise
A fund raiser cruise on the Majesty of the Sea Royal Caribbean Cruise Line s now being offered starting at only $229.
Donations will be made by the cruise company for each early confirmed passenger, to benefit the Rotary Club of North Fort Myers Bahamian School Project and local projects.
If interested, you need to hurry. Initial rates are only good until Monday, Aug. 8, with initial deposits due, and rates are good through Aug. 10.
Besides the $229 interior fare, there is an outside from $259 and deluxe/suites from $609.
The trip will launch on Friday, Dec. 2, for the thee-day Bahamas cruise, with help from Leslie Krenzelak of Krenz Travel.
She’s hosted other charity cruises, and said when she heard about the Rotary’s projects, she wanted to get involved.
“I met Rotarians Danielle Hall and Dr. Terry Tucker and they told me about their different projects,” said Krenzelak. “They are an amazing organization. They’re local and international outreach is extraordinary.”
The great part is that Royal Caribbean will donate funds for each group rate passenger to the Rotary’s charities, she said. “It’s a way people can raise funds by just showing up and having a good time at a great rate.”
Cruise line officials report a “top to bottom” renovation of the popular Majesty of the Seas, including a newly remodeled pool deck, expanded Day Spa and Fitness Center and refurbished staterooms.
“We are accepting those deposits through the Aug. 8 date, but we can’t guarantee that group rate after that.”
She said those interested after that date can still call and see where the rates are at that point.
Sam Ferrell, past president of the Rotary, has worked on the Bahamian School Project for the last five years, and he and other Rotarians have been over to Nassau in the Bahamas where the school is located at least 10 times. Not only do the raise funds, they do physical labor to support the school. “We re-do part of the school each time.”
It’s a great cause he said. “We have a lot of things they can use and we are willing to go to the effort to get it there to them.”
They have great needs in the books and computer/technology areas, he said. He added the cruise will be a great trip.
Call for details on price specifics and restrictions. Krenzelak can be reached at 472-7838 ext. 2010. She is looking forward to calls from interested parties.
Backpacks waiting for many students at Tropic Isles Elementary; $1,000 in supplies donated to Suncoast children
There’s SpongeBob SquarePants, flowers, neon pink and camouflage.
A variety of brand new backpacks were presented last week to the principals of Tropic Isles Elementary by the Rotary Club of North Fort Myers.
For the last four years it has been one of his favorite projects, said the Rotary’s Bill Mathis. “The reason I got involved here (Tropic Isles) is because I have been a reading mentor here for three years.”
He was an English major, and said that mentoring project is very fulfilling, particularly in one case where he has mentored the same student for three years, and saw that child’s reading scores go up dramatically.
Rotary Vice President Pat Smith, of the backpack project, said, “It’s great because it really helps the kids.”
Mathis, along with the Rotary Club’s Pat Smith, Deena Westberry, president Danielle Hall and Dwight Sedgwick helped with the project and the distribution of the backpacks at the school so they would be there by the start of classes.
There will be a lot more smiles on the first day of school, said interim Principal Brandy Macchia and Assistant Principal Mary Idlette.
Macchia said there are several reasons more students will need backpacks this year. “That is because of the economic conditions right now, as well as school starting the same week as the tax free week, so many may not have backpacks the first day. This will allow them to be excited to start the new school year with new supplies.”
The Rotary brought more than 50 new backpacks.
“Those children that receive them will feel very comfortable and a part of the school, having some essentials to start first day,” said Assistant Principal Mary Idlette.
Rotary also distributed back-to-school supplies to the Suncoast Community Center children last weekend. That is a yearly event where funds are put away specifically for that event, $1,000 from the local club and their district.