It has been a year since Hurricane Ian made landfall on Sanibel Island, leaving an indelible mark on our community. In the face of adversity, the strength and resilience of our island’s residents shone through.
To honor this spirit and commemorate the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, a series of community events have been organized on Thursday, September 28, 2023, and Saturday, September 30, 2023.
We invite you to join us in reflecting on the past year and celebrating our community’s resilience.
Continue reading below for more information….
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Hurricane Ian Sunrise Remembrance
Date: Thursday, September 28th, 2023
Time: 7:00 a.m.
Location: Lighthouse Beach Park, Gulfside, 153 Periwinkle Way
The day begins with the ‘Hurricane Ian Sunrise Remembrance’ at Lighthouse Beach Park.
This solemn event will feature a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Mayor Richard Johnson, former Mayor and Councilwoman Holly Smith, and other community leaders.
The event will commence with the National Anthem performed by Genevieve Haas, a student from Sanibel School.
There will also be an invocation by Vice Mayor Michael Miller and inspiring words from various community representatives including: Former Mayor, Councilwoman Holly Smith; Representative, Adam Botana; Executive Director of FDEM, Kevin Guthrie; Lee County Commissioner, Kevin Ruane; Superintendent, Christopher Bernier; Fire Chief, Kevin Barbot; and City Manager, Dana Souza.
Community Service of Hope
Date: Thursday, September 28th, 2023
Time: 3:00 p.m.
Location: The Gathering Place at St. Michael’s, 2304 Periwinkle Way (rear entrance off of Dunlop Rd)
In the afternoon, join the Sanibel community at ‘The Gathering Place’ for a ‘Community Service of Hope.’
This interfaith service will include music by Erik Entwistle and reflections by Mayor Richard Johnson, Councilwoman Holly Smith, and John Lai, CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce.
Faith leaders Rev. Bill Van Oss, Rabbi Sunny Schnitzer, and Mary Miller will lead prayers, and a video showcasing hopeful images from the past year will be presented.
An interactive tree of hope will be unveiled, and lighthouse buttons commemorating the one-year anniversary will be distributed.
Following the service, a light social will provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and share their experiences.
Community Reunited
Date: Saturday, September 30th, 2023
Time: 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way
On Saturday, September 30th, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., the Sanibel Community House will host ‘Community Reunited.’ This event promises a delightful afternoon of community bonding and support.
Enjoy a FREE Ice Cream Social featuring Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream and The Shack of Sanibel Fresh Frozen Custard.
Participate in a Cookie Baking Contest and savor the sweet creations of our talented bakers.
The Sanibel School Steel Drum Band will provide live music to set the mood, and you can witness the Eagle Scout Project Reveal by Ryan Powers.
Don’t miss the fun Community Art Project they have planned, bringing our community even closer together.
As we gather to remember Hurricane Ian’s impact on Sanibel Island and celebrate the resilience of our community, these events provide a unique opportunity to connect, reflect, and support one another.
Join us on Thursday, September 28th, and Saturday, September 30th, to commemorate our journey and look ahead to a brighter future together. We look forward to seeing you there.
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