Anchorage Advisory Committee finalizes logistics for Sunday boater and nonprofit event

The Anchorage Advisory Committee on April 22 finalized logistics for a community boater and nonprofit event scheduled for Sunday in Fort Myers Beach, agreeing on setup times, volunteer assignments, sponsor donations and meal-ticket procedures.

Committee leaders said the day will begin with a 10 a.m. setup, vendor and nonprofit arrival at 11 a.m., official registration opening at 1 p.m., boater introductions at 1:45 p.m., nonprofit introductions at 2 p.m., prize drawings at 3 p.m., teardown at 3:30 p.m. and a concert at 4 p.m. “We’re gonna arrive at 10:00 for set up. Our non profits will start arriving at 11,” Jennifer Rusk said at the start of the meeting.

The nut of the plan is to ensure volunteers, vendors and first responders are positioned and that meal logistics are clear. The committee confirmed monetary sponsors—Florida Marine Contracting and Recovery and Beach Talk Radio—and said in-kind donations include items from Island Pancake House and a contribution from a “Lighthouse Yucatan” donor (item TBD). The committee estimated a sponsor pot of $3,300.

Committee members discussed food-ticket controls and reconciliation with Snug Harbor, the restaurant handling meal service. Organizers will print 50 numbered green complimentary meal tickets (for the special of the day) and about 200 regular coupons for the $25 meal option. The committee agreed green tickets will be tallied against a register at the event and reconciled afterward; payment to the restaurant is expected midweek after the event. “I’m gonna print 50 of those. Those, I am gonna number,” the committee’s event planner said; she added she would collect green tickets and count them with staff after the event.

Logistics and supplies were detailed: chairs and tables will be borrowed from the library and picked up at Saint Raphael Church (organizers arranged contact information and pickup times), and the fire department and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will be present near a parked fire truck by Nervous Nellies. Ed Lawwill said the committee will bring water and ice and planned “about 200 bottles of water and ice,” and multiple coolers will be used for distribution.

Volunteers and day-of assignments were confirmed: registration for mooring-field and VIPs will be handled by Sam and Ted; public registration and drawing-ticket operations by John and the chair; Jennifer will manage nonprofit check-in; Lia (Beach Talk Radio) will handle radio coordination and greeter duties; Ed and Ron will assist with band setup. The committee also agreed to stamp hands at check-in to manage raffle entries.

Signage and communications were finalized: laminated registers, directional signage, drawing rules and menus will be posted at the welcome table and tiki area; social media publicity has been shared with the Chamber and Beach Talk Radio; staff will attempt one last radio promotion before the event. Organizers also agreed to post a list of raffle/prize donors and to seal gift certificates in envelopes for distribution when tickets are drawn.

No formal motions or votes were recorded at the meeting; members reached practical consensus on timing, assignments and supplier pickup. A brief debrief and final reconciliation with the restaurant and volunteers will occur after the event.

The committee closed the meeting at 12:59 p.m. and reiterated the plan to meet Monday to tally meal tickets and finalize vendor payments.