Bank of the Islands hosts Evening of Appreciation

Bank of the Islands hosted an unprecedented gathering to celebrate island non-profit organizations and community leaders at its Sanibel office on April 9.

Hearing remarks from Bank President Robbie Roepstorff, many guests audibly reacted to learning that Bank of the Islands has donated more than $400,000 to non-profits, service organizations, first responders, and houses of worship on Sanibel and Captiva since Hurricane Ian struck in September 2022. That figure is over an above the milestone reached by the Bank’s “We Love Our Islands” program.

“This Evening of Appreciation is our opportunity to celebrate all of you and the work you do,” said Bank of the Islands President Robbie Roepstorff. “Sanibel and Captiva would not be the unique and irreplaceable island community it is without all of you. You are the essential fabric that holds this beautiful place together.”

In recognition of the Bank’s “We Love Our Islands” program passing its own $100,000 milestone of charitable giving, the Bank conducted a presentation ceremony including many of the previous recipients of “We Love Our Islands” donations.

The 34 non-profit organizations, first responders, and houses of worship receiving $1,000 gifts as part of the celebration included Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum & Aquarium, Bat Yam Temple of the Islands Congregation, BIG ARTS, Captiva Civic Association, Captiva Community Panel, Captiva Island Historical Society, Chapel by the Sea, Charitable Foundation of the Islands, Children’s Education Center of the Islands, City of Sanibel, Community Housing & Resources, CROW – the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Ding Darling Wildlife Society, F.I.S.H. of Sanibel Captiva, Kiwanis Club of Sanibel Captiva, Saint Isabel’s Church, Saint Michael’s and All Angels Episcopal Church, Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, Sanibel-Captiva Business Women’s Association, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Sanibel Community Association, Sanibel Community Church, Sanibel Congregational United Church, Sanibel Fire & Rescue District,

Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, Sanibel Public Library, Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club, Sanibel Captiva Rotary Club, The Sanibel School, Sanibel School Fund,

Sanibel Sea School, Sanibel Shell Club, United Way of Sanibel-Captiva, and

ZONTA.

More than 80 guests, including Mayor Richard Johnson, Vice Mayor Mike Miller and Sanibel City Councilmembers Holly Smith, Laura DeBruce, and John Henshaw, Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza, Fire Chief Kevin Barbot and Fire Commissioner Richard McCurry, enjoyed a catered reception including live saxophone music and goody bags of Moet et Chandon Champagne and Norman Love Chocolates.

As part of the event, it was also announced that all future contributions through the “We Love Our Islands” program are immediately being doubled. All islanders are invited to visit the Bank’s Sanibel or Captiva office to pick up a vehicle decal and learn more about the “We Love Our Islands” program and how your favorite charity can become our next lucky recipient.

Celebrating its 27^th year as the oldest locally owned and managed community bank in Lee County, Bank of the Islands is proud to be the winner of more than 50 “Best of the Islands” awards including “Best Island Bank” numerous times. The Bank has retained a 5-Star Superior Rating from BauerFinancial for more than a decade. As ranked by Bank Performance Report, the Bank holds the distinction of being #1 among all banks chartered in the State of Florida. Bank of the Islands is located at 1699 Periwinkle Way, at the corner of Casa Ybel Road, on Sanibel. The Captiva office is at 14812 Captiva Drive, next to the Captiva Post Office. To learn more, visit www.bankoftheislands.com.