UPDATE: Community gathering to focus on love for Sanibel, each other | News, Sports, Jobs – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA

UPDATE: Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church reported that its Love Sanibel Community Gathering on Sept. 28 at The Community House on Sanibel has been canceled. Due to Hurricane Helene, the facility is unable to host the event. A rescheduled date will be announced later.

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ORIGINAL (Sept. 23, 2024):

A culmination of the recent Love Sanibel Businesses Back initiative, an upcoming event will offer the community the chance to come together to celebrate the islands and recovery since Hurricane Ian.

Hosted by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, the Love Sanibel Community Gathering will take place on Sept. 28 from noon to 3 pm at The Community House on Sanibel. Free and open to the public, it aims to recognize the love for each other and for the island that has seen the community through the last two years post-storm.

The Rev. William “Bill” Van Oss, rector for Saint Michael, explained that the church organized a commemorative service last year to mark Ian’s anniversary and this year’s event is a follow-up.

“On the second anniversary, I think it’s important for us to celebrate the progress that’s been made,” he said. “Celebrate our coming together as a community in our rebuilding and putting our lives back together.”

Saint Michael Director of Digital Communications & Christian Formation Sue Van Oss added that many are still traumatized by what occurred in September of 2022 and that is understandable.

“We want people to realize this is going to be very joyful and uplifting,” she said of the event planned for this year and what it will entail. “This isn’t going to be reliving the memories of two years ago.”

Sue Van Oss continued that it will serve as the culmination of the church’s Love Sanibel Businesses Back launched earlier this year, which encouraged the community to patronize recovering venues.

“That’s really what the theme is, love for our island and for our community,” she said. “Love is a powerful thing, and it has helped our island heal and has helped our island recover.”

From 1 to 1:45 pm, a program will be held featuring city and community leaders, live music and more, which will be emceed by Bill Van Oss. Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson will open the program with a few remarks, followed by a performance from the Steel Drum Band at The Sanibel School.

Next, Saint Michael Assisting Priest the Rev. Suzy Post and Director Of Music Erik Entwistle will perform a song, followed by additional remarks from Sanibel City Councilmember Holly Smith. The school’s Elementary Choir will then take center stage, with a storytelling video to end the program.

“There’s a special video we’re calling ‘Love Letters to Sanibel,’” Sue Van Oss said. “It’s snippets of people sharing what they love about Sanibel and where they have seen love the past two years.”

The event will also feature activities.

“We’ll have several tables of craft activities for kids, as well as adults,” she said, adding that the Shellcrafters from The Community House will show adults how to make flowers from shells.

Attendees will have the opportunity to create a new memory of Sept. 28.

“We’re having a professional photo booth, where people can take fun selfies and take home a photo strip and digital images,” Sue Van Oss said.

About three dozen island-based entities will be represented with booths.

“They’re all island organizations,” she said. “Everyone from FISH and CHR, to the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club and Santiva Islanders.”

Sue Van Oss added that the church has encouraged the organizations to make their booths interactive. For example, the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is planning to offer up a quiz, with prizes.

The Island Store will provide free hot dogs for hungry attendees, and Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream will serve up free ice cream. In addition, the church will provide free chips and beverages.

“Rotary has volunteered to serve the hot dogs,” she said.

Several businesses and organizations have donated items for door prizes.

“Everyone will get a ticket,” Sue Van Oss said. “We’ll be drawing prizes like every 15 minutes.”

Some of the prizes include Rachel Pierce gift bags, merchandise for the city’s 50th anniversary, a private session with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Jerry’s Foods gift cards and more.

“They’ve just been really responsive,” she said of everyone who donated.

Event supporters include the city, The Community House, The Island Store and Pinocchio’s.

The community is encouraged to come out.

“This is an opportunity for us to come together to celebrate the progress that’s been made,” Bill Van Oss said. “This is the spirit of Sanibel. It’s people coming together and supporting each other and wanting to come together to celebrate the love that we have for each other and for our island, and this will be an opportunity to do that.”

For more information, visit or call 239-472-2173.

The Community House is at 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel.

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IF YOU GO

What

Love Sanibel Community Gathering

When

Sept. 28 from noon to 3 pm

Where

The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel

Details

Free and open to the public