Volunteer Expo, set for Thursday, Jan. 16, aims to strengthen community ties and increase volunteerism. Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) seeks additional sponsors as well as Sanibel and Captiva organizations interested in presenting their mission and programs at the event.
The Expo is organized by CFI and powered by the Pfeifer Realty Group, the presenting sponsor. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sanibel Community House. Island organizations will present their missions and programs with the goal of sparking interest in volunteering among those who attend.
“It is an honor to be the presenting sponsor of such an event,” said Eric Pfeifer, CFI Board member and Founder and CEO of Pfeifer Realty. “I recall when Mary Ellen and I moved to Sanibel in 2001 there were few recreation sports programs for kids besides Little League. I got together with some other parents, and we created more options including Sanibel’s first NFL Youth Flag Football program. Now it’s time to engage our new residents and those that haven’t had the time to get involved before. With many of our residents still displaced or not back yet full-time, those of us here need to step up and get more deeply engaged.”
Organizations, clubs and groups from Sanibel and Captiva that wish to participate will be provided with a table to showcase their organization. In addition, organizations can opt to be included in a downloadable volunteer opportunities directory. The directory will be distributed at the event and will be available online at MyCFI.org after the event.
To ensure your spot at the event and be included in the Volunteer Opportunities Directory, please email [email protected] to request a reservation link. The registration link is available online as well at MyCFI.org. Organizations must RSVP by November 26, 2024. Space is limited to the first 50 registrants.
The Volunteer Expo aligns with CFI’s mission of inspiring philanthropy, leadership and collaboration for the vitality of the Island community. One of its three signature initiatives is to strengthen the local nonprofit sector through engagement and education. Nonprofit Education Chair and Vice Chair of CFI Board of Directors Lisa Riordan shared “CFI, in partnership with its Class of 2022 Leadership Sanibel-Captiva Program, hosted the inaugural Volunteer Expo in March 2023 to connect those interested in making a difference with representatives from more than 20 local nonprofits and community organizations.”
The event proved so successful, it’s been moved to accommodate up to 50 Sanibel and Captiva nonprofits, clubs and organizations. It also led to the creation of an online nonprofit directory available to the community. View it at mycfi.org/directory.
About Charitable Foundation of the Islands: (MyCFI.org)
The mission of the Charitable Foundation of the Islands (CFI) is to inspire philanthropy, leadership, and collaboration for the vitality of the Island community. CFI has served the Sanibel and Captiva communities since the 1990s through the Francis Bailey Society and was officially incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2011.
