August 13, 2025 • 21 mins
When devastation strikes a community, true character emerges. The Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club exemplifies this through their remarkable story of service, resilience, and growth shared on our latest State Insurance USA Cares podcast.
Founded in 1950, the Woman's Club faced near extinction with fewer than 20 members until 2017. Today, they boast over 150 members and operate with a unique model that multiplies community impact. Rather than simply fundraising for themselves, they create opportunities for multiple nonprofits to benefit simultaneously through signature events like their annual Christmas Tree Festival and Put-in-Pub event. This collaborative approach has generated substantial support throughout the Fort Myers Beach area.
Their finest hour came after Hurricane Ian's devastation. Within just two days, the board mobilized to begin hurricane relief efforts that ultimately distributed over $750,000 to approximately 1,500 families. With minimal requirements—just a valid ID showing local residency—they provided immediate assistance when bureaucracy slowed other relief resources. Even after losing their historic clubhouse (originally the second school building on the island), they persevered, holding their Christmas Tree Festival in a parking lot rather than canceling.
Now, they're focused on rebuilding with plans for an elevated structure that will include community space, meeting rooms, and even designated areas for other nonprofits lacking physical space on the island. Their innovative fundraising continues with programs like the FMB Pub Passport, offering $120 in restaurant savings for just $25, and creative initiatives like their state competition and interactive mosaic wall of beach memories.
The Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club reminds us that community organizations can be powerful forces for good, especially in times of crisis. To learn more about supporting their efforts or becoming a member, visit fmb-wc.org or attend their monthly meetings held the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30pm. Together, we can help rebuild not just buildings, but the heart and soul of our beach communities.
Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club
Mari Torgerson & Megan Allers
175 Sterling Ave, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 765-1417
fmb-wc.org
State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
100 Lovers Ln 3rd Floor
Ft Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 690-6300
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to State Insurance USA Cares podcast,
where we celebrate the heart ofour communities.
Each episode, we highlightlocal charities and nonprofits
who are bringing hope, help andhealing to those who need it
most.
Get ready to be inspired by theamazing stories of people
making a difference, becausetogether we care.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Well, hi, it's Gail Langner.
I'm with State Insurance USAand we have an arm of our
insurance company called StateInsurance Cares, and it's where
we donate to different localnonprofits.
And today I'm honored tohighlight the nonprofit of the
Fort Myers Beach Women's Club,and with me today are Megan
Allers and Mari Torgerson.
(00:40):
So hi, girls, so glad to haveyou on with us today.
Thank you for including us.
Thanks so much for having me.
Oh gosh, we're happy to.
So people don't necessarilyknow about the Fort Myers Beach
Woman's Club and you go.
How could that possibly beRight?
But they don't necessarily know, and so I'm so glad that you're
(01:01):
on here today to tell us alittle bit more about you.
You actually started in like1950, didn't you, isn't?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
that when it was established.
Correct and Megan and I bothgot involved in 2017.
They had less than 20 membersleft.
Yes, and there was an activemember that just did a
membership drive, and that'swhen Megan and I became involved
, and now I think we have over150 members.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I was going to say I think you tripled your
membership, didn't you For sure?
Yeah, I think so yeah.
All right.
So one of the things that I didnot know back in the day when
we first started donating to youand what you do is the reason
that we do donate to you,because you guys are totally
amazing is that you raise moneyto give away right.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
We raise money to give to other nonprofits, right.
So a majority of ourfundraisers include area
nonprofits that they canparticipate in.
We gather sponsorships such asState Insurance USA, and then we
do sponsorship sharing afterthe cost of the event.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Incredible, like the first time we were ever involved
.
Go ahead, megan.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean totalk over you.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Go ahead, it's okay, two of our biggest events that
highlight that are our annualChristmas tree festival and our
annual Put-in-Pub event.
So those nonprofits thatparticipate in those events.
We gift them with that profitsharing but also we have ways
(02:35):
during that event that they canbe raising their own funds to go
back to their nonprofit and wegive whatever they raise for
that event goes strictly back tothem.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Well, I happen to know about that because I'm the
chair of the board of the FortMyers Beach Chamber of Commerce,
so I know about our wine treeand we are thrilled every year.
And of course I can't even makea stick person.
So I mean I always stand aroundand act like I'm helping, but
I'm actually really not.
I'm just standing there goinghere's this, here's this.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Yeah, yeah, we certainly get some really
creative trees, wreaths,centerpieces, and your wine tree
is always front and centerevery year.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, like I said, I wish I could take credit for
that.
I absolutely cannot.
I remember the first year wedid it.
We did it with corks, like wehad cork angels.
Kat and I were in the kitchencutting these corks with knives
and we had the hot glue gun andof all people me helping Kat
Actually she was in charge ofthat sort of and it was a total
(03:38):
ball putting that together.
And then, of course, like Isaid, we have people that are
really creative that put ittogether and make it look really
great and we make a lot ofmoney off of that tree, and so I
thank you for that for sure.
I know your clubhouse.
Oh, my gracious, that was likethe first school right.
Is that right?
Was your clubhouse?
Speaker 1 (03:58):
originally the second school.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Okay, right, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Yeah, it was pretty heartbreaking to lose the
building.
We and Mary can speak a littlebit more to this on the timeline
, but previous to the storm wewere getting ready to gear up
and do a capital campaign torefurbish the building and
renovate it.
So Ian built us other plans andI know Mary's got some more
(04:28):
information that she's going towant to share with you regarding
that.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Okay, yeah, I know you're working toward getting a
new clubhouse, but you own theland, right, correct?
Okay, that was great that youhad that.
That's a beautiful piece ofland, that's a great piece of
land.
That's a great piece of landfor sure, and so I'm glad you'll
you'll have a place in.
Miriam really would like you totalk to um what your, you know
(04:52):
what your plans are for that.
Tell me if, if people werelistening right now, like you,
to become a member would be agreat idea, right?
Is that $75?
Is that right To become amember?
Speaker 3 (05:04):
would be a great idea , right?
Is that $75?
Is that right To be a member?
It's $75 at the first of ourfiscal year, which is April 1st.
After April 1st, after April30th, it's $50 a year, but you
don't get any voting rightsuntil you have been a member for
a full year.
Okay, so you get to do theactivities, you get to come to
our meetings, you network, youget to do all the things, but
(05:25):
you don't have voting rights.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
If you were a member?
What would be, let's say, if Iwere a member and I would love
to come and help, whatever?
When do you meet?
Like?
What would that look like to bea member?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Well, it's changed after Ian, because we don't have
a clubhouse anymore, changedafter Ian, because we don't have
a clubhouse anymore.
Our membership meetings are thefirst Wednesday of the month at
6 30.
I'm always at the board meetingfirst and I don't.
I think our next one is inSeptember, but, megan, I'm not
(06:00):
sure where it's at, do you?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
No, I believe we are back at the Pancake House, but
we can confirm that.
So they have been a wonderfulpartner for us for some of our
meetings and it's nice becausewe get to give back to one of
the businesses too.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I was just going to say the same thing.
Yeah, do they still have thatside room?
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yes, Perfect.
Well, that you know exactly,and that's what we did with
state insurance is one of thethings that we do is like our.
We do an event called Hats Offto you In fact, you'll be
invited to it if you weren'tinvited to it last year where we
get all, we gather, all thelocal nonprofits that we've
given to throughout the year,and then we have an event at the
(06:42):
end of the year called Hats Offto you, and it's just like hors
d'oeuvres and drinks and so on.
And last year well, the firstyear we did it was at Pink Shell
Last year yeah, you were at thePink Shell one.
Last year we did it atMargaritaville, and so last year
and what Blake does is he givesaway more money.
So last year I think we gaveaway an additional $9,000.
(07:08):
We drew from the hat.
And so we do the same thing.
We try to give back, bringthings to the beach.
I mean really this year for ourChristmas party, for our
employees.
We're going over Salty Sam'sand take the pontoon out.
They're going to drop us atBonita Fish.
We're going to have dinnerthere in their new side room,
(07:30):
which is beautiful, and thentake the party bus back.
So we try to do the same thingyou guys do.
So thank you from the chamberside of things.
Thank you so much for doingthat.
So tell me again I'm so sorrybecause I was talking too much
when are your meetings again?
Speaker 3 (07:50):
The first Wednesday of the month at 6.30 pm, and I
think it might be at the PancakeHouse, but we'll have to
confirm that It'll probably beon your website right.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Yeah, exactly.
For sure, or our Facebook page,and I think it's really
important to point out that youknow we have had this surge of
membership, took notice of thatand want to be a part of
something that is so meaningfuland impactful on the island.
But I think Mary shouldhighlight a little bit how we
(08:34):
did that fundraising and whatresulted of it.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Well, and you gave away like three quarters of a
million dollars, didn't youCorrect?
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Mary, speak to that.
Tell us what you did Correct.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Yeah, mary, speak to that, tell us what you did.
So immediately after Ian, likeeveryone, all our members were
displaced and we took our firstdonation towards hurricane
relief.
The board approved to do thison September 30th, two days
after no-transcript.
(09:12):
So I think that's like 1,500families that were impacted.
You know there were so manypeople the testament to.
They had no idea where to go.
They didn't know how to.
You know how they were going toput a taco in their lunch.
You know their lunchbox.
You know, and we've had somereally amazing stories.
Gentleman lost everything and hejust needed a pair of work
(09:33):
pants to get back to work.
You know, it's just and it was.
There was not a lot of red tapelike there was for other relief
resources.
You had to have a valid ID thatsaid you lived in the 33931.
And there was about threemembers three or four members
from the Women's Club and two orthree members from the
Community Foundation that weunited with to do that.
(09:56):
But it was a very hands-on taskas far as reviewing
applications, getting IDs,confirming information.
But I think it was the rightthing for the Women's Club and
the members and our community atthat time Club and the members
and our community at that time.
You know, interestingly, on thatnote kind of you know, as our
(10:19):
tenure with the Women's Club,megan's and mine, you know we've
had, we had COVID, we had Ian,we've had different things and,
ironically, the Christmas TreeFestival, which State USA or
State Insurance USA is a sponsorto.
We have not missed a year ofthe Christmas Tree Festival,
even when, after Ian, we did itin the parking lot.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yes, we did.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Yes, we did yeah, and so it just it goes to speak to,
you know, the community justbeing resilient and wanting to
continue.
You know, I mean be resilient,I don't know, I don't have a
better word for it.
No, I know.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
And after watching and I know obviously you both
watched the special that was onNBC a couple weeks ago.
If you didn't, you cancertainly watch it on Peacock
and I know part of that film, Ithink, came from Dan Megan, with
the boat coming towards yourhouse.
But after seeing that it mademe to see it again realize, oh
(11:23):
my gracious, look how far we'vecome.
You know really.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
We actually took that from Mary and Tom's house.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Oh, was it from your house, Mary.
Yeah, yeah.
So it was definitely surrealwatching it again I know it
really was and it was sotastefully done.
It was done very.
But you know to hear aboutmitch and mary and you know and
okay, well, anyway, we'regetting away from the women's
(11:52):
club, but anyway um go ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
I'd like to bring upail is that one thing also
that we started doing after Ianis what we call the FMV Pub
Passport, and I don't know thata lot of people know about that.
We did start it in 2023.
So we're on our third year.
It runs nine months.
It's $25 and has $120 insavings at local restaurants,
(12:18):
and then you complete it.
You get a stamp at eachlocation and this year you get a
commemorative Turfist Tumblr.
That's great.
How do you get one of those?
Tell us, so you can.
It's on our website.
You can go to fmb-wcorg and andyou'll see the pub passport and
you can place an order andthey'll usually ship out within
(12:40):
three days.
Otherwise, if you're on islandor Fort Myers Central proper,
you can pick it up at HurricaneTina's or Wahoo Willie's or La
Ola or Margaritaville RetailStore At the retail store.
Okay, yeah, awesome, and that'ssomething that is really good
for our businesses, absolutely Iwish I'd known about that.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
I don't know why I didn't, but I'm that's, that's
good, that's good to know, but Ibrought it up.
I'm glad you did too.
We actually I was at a meetingwith um, with uh vcb, this
morning at the Collaboratory andthey were talking about
different efforts to.
You know, bring people to morebusinesses, more hotels.
You know that type of thing,and that's good to know.
(13:23):
I'll, really, I'll, pass thatalong.
Yeah, that's good, absolutely,I really, really will.
So if people want to help,people always want to help, I
think.
What do they do?
How do they reach out to you?
What's the best way to help youhelp others, what's the best
(13:46):
way?
Speaker 3 (13:46):
I think there's ways to help.
In what is your.
It depends on what a person'smotivation is.
Are they feeling philanthropicand they want to help us rebuild
the Fort Myers Beach Women'sClub?
We'd love to hear from you.
We have giving levels.
It actually was a year agotoday that we launched our
capital campaign for the Women'sClub oh that was timely, it was
(14:09):
, it was a year ago today andironically, it's kind of a crazy
story, that boy.
We had Don, the past president,and I had had one-on-one
meetings for about three weeksand we got a million dollars in
commitments in the first threeweeks and then it was.
I mean, yeah, it was.
(14:29):
But then we had Helena Miltonand it's kind of put it, it's
been a damper.
You know, it'll be really nicenot to have a hurricane this
year let's start there.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Coming from an insurance company point of view,
I would second that yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Um, I don't think our hearts could take much more,
but no no, no, yeah, there'sdefinitely a fatigue there, but,
um, if you're interested insupporting businesses I just
mentioned the pub passport wejust launched if you're a
nonprofit interested inparticipating in our Christmas
tree festival, which theopportunity there I'll give a
(15:07):
brief description is that thenonprofits are able to, as you
said, the chamber puts in a winetree, so they do metal rack
that has, I think, like 110bottles of wine.
It's a lot.
Right, it's a lot.
It's pretty amazing.
But other people donatedifferent kinds of Christmas
trees, there's wreaths, there'scenterpieces, and if you're a
business that wants to do thatand donate the proceeds to a
(15:29):
nonprofit, you can do that.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
It doesn't have to be a nonprofit for a nonprofit.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
But if you're a business that you really love
Golisano Children's Hospital orthat type of thing we invite you
to participate and theneverything that that tree sells
it's on a silent auction.
So whatever your tree or yourwreath sells for all those
proceeds go directly back to thenon-profit.
To the non-profit right To thenon-profit and we'll write the
(15:55):
check right to them, Above andbeyond all of our expenses.
Then we have what oursponsorships are remaining and
we conclude that as an additionto what was earned on their item
Right, Maggie.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Wonderful.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
And I think you know another thing that some of our
businesses have been doing,which I think is really
thoughtful they're partnering upwith one of the local
nonprofits that's here on thebeach, because the reality is,
after Ian, everybody's volunteerbase is down, it's harder to
get things done.
A lot of our nonprofits don'thave spaces to work on things,
(16:32):
so these businesses have beenstepping up and partnering with
them to work on things.
So these businesses have beenstepping up and partnering with
them so they have twice theamount of volunteers that are
working on the tree and twicethe amount of creativity that's
going into it.
So that's a great way for thosebusinesses to partner with
nonprofits as well.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
That's a great idea, wonderful.
Well, I know you did want totalk about, tell me about the
building, the new building.
I know you wanted to chat aboutwhat that's going to look like,
what your vision is for that,for your new clubhouse.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
I'm sorry I missed it .
Speaker 1 (17:08):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I think you asked about the future of the women's
club, the new women's clubbuilding, and what your vision
is for that.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
We actually do have drawings.
We have been very blessed thatAlbert from AD Design and Jim
Ink from Ink Engineering hashelped put together our design
and our building pro bono.
It will be an elevated building, it will have a community room
and then it'll also have aboardroom and it will have what
(17:41):
we're calling an education room.
And then also, because there'snot a lot of nonprofits that
actually have physical space onthe island, we have three
lockouts, which is they can rentthose for a year, they have
their own storage room and thenthey have access to our
education room or our boardroomas needed and to host one or two
events in our community room.
(18:01):
Events in our community room um, we, you know, after, after
covid and before ian, we were Imean, we were renting out our
building pretty regularly.
We had a wedding five daysbefore ian, I think we were like
you have to come get your stuff.
There's going to be a storm.
I mean I mean known, you know?
Um, uh, yeah, you know we triedto because we we actually
(18:26):
bought another storage unit andput it on our property.
I don't even think we had powerin there for a month before
Milton and Milton washed it away.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
I mean so now we found it in the canal next door.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah, gosh.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Unbelievable.
So we reverted to just rentingoff Island, which works great.
It's in a great location.
But you know we actually went.
Megan and I and Dawn went tothe state this year.
We had actually asked for somefunds from the state and we were
actually in the negotiating upuntil about two weeks before the
(19:05):
budget went to the governor.
And we were actually in thenegotiating up until about two
weeks before the budget went tothe governor and we didn't make
it in there.
We were really hoping for thatbecause we felt like it would be
a boost to the donating.
But I think we haven't stoppedfundraising.
We're still fundraising.
We currently have a statecompetition going on that if
(19:26):
your state make a donation onbehalf of your state, the state
that raises the most money willget to fly their flag for six
months on our flagpole.
Oh great, yeah.
So we have, you know,innovative things that we're
trying to do and we haven'tgiven up, we're just ready.
We've all kind of our committeehas said we'll wait to make
sure that there's no hurricanesthis year I thought the timing's
(19:48):
right yeah yeah, the timing'sright.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Yeah, we have our wall too, uh we do part of our
fundraising.
Yeah, so that mosaic wall.
They can pay 50 and uploadtheir favorite picture from the
beach or their vacation or theirfamily photo.
They can upload as many as theywant and we're going to have a
(20:11):
basically interactive mosaicwall in the building that can
highlight all of these pictures.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Oh, I love that.
I love that Awesome.
Well, I can't thank you twoenough for taking some time out
of your really busy day.
I know both of you, Megan andMari, are really, really busy
people.
I want to thank you for mepersonally and thank you for,
obviously, the Chamber ofCommerce for everything that you
do and, of course, from StateInsurance Cares we donate to
(20:37):
local nonprofits, and that'swhat the heart of State
Insurance Cares has always beenabout, and you will always be a
part of who we give to andsponsor, and so I just wanted to
know that.
Just thank you so much to bothof you and everybody on your
board and so on.
I appreciate it and so we'lltalk again soon and we'll see
(20:58):
you soon.
And, of course, I'll be therefor the Christmas tree festival,
standing around watching peoplebe creative.
Thank you so much.
All right, thanks for being ontoday.
We really appreciate it.
Happy to have you.
Have a great day.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Thank you Bye-bye.
Thank you for joining us onState Insurance USA Cares.
We hope today's story upliftedand inspired you.
If you'd like to support orlearn more about the incredible
work happening in your community, visit stateinsuranceusa.
com or call 239-567-9992.
You can also visit CaboWaboJim.
com.
Until next time, be sure to letyour sun shine and keep sharing
(21:34):
good and positive vibeswherever the waves take you.
Welcome to State Insurance USA Cares podcast,
where we celebrate the heart ofour communities.
Each episode, we highlightlocal charities and nonprofits
who are bringing hope, help andhealing to those who need it
most.
Get ready to be inspired by theamazing stories of people
making a difference, becausetogether we care.
Speaker 2 (00:19):
Well, hi, it's Gail Langner.
I'm with State Insurance USAand we have an arm of our
insurance company called StateInsurance Cares, and it's where
we donate to different localnonprofits.
And today I'm honored tohighlight the nonprofit of the
Fort Myers Beach Women's Club,and with me today are Megan
Allers and Mari Torgerson.
(00:40):
So hi, girls, so glad to haveyou on with us today.
Thank you for including us.
Thanks so much for having me.
Oh gosh, we're happy to.
So people don't necessarilyknow about the Fort Myers Beach
Woman's Club and you go.
How could that possibly beRight?
But they don't necessarily know, and so I'm so glad that you're
(01:01):
on here today to tell us alittle bit more about you.
You actually started in like1950, didn't you, isn't?
Speaker 3 (01:07):
that when it was established.
Correct and Megan and I bothgot involved in 2017.
They had less than 20 membersleft.
Yes, and there was an activemember that just did a
membership drive, and that'swhen Megan and I became involved
, and now I think we have over150 members.
Speaker 2 (01:28):
I was going to say I think you tripled your
membership, didn't you For sure?
Yeah, I think so yeah.
All right.
So one of the things that I didnot know back in the day when
we first started donating to youand what you do is the reason
that we do donate to you,because you guys are totally
amazing is that you raise moneyto give away right.
Speaker 3 (01:52):
We raise money to give to other nonprofits, right.
So a majority of ourfundraisers include area
nonprofits that they canparticipate in.
We gather sponsorships such asState Insurance USA, and then we
do sponsorship sharing afterthe cost of the event.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
Incredible, like the first time we were ever involved
.
Go ahead, megan.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean totalk over you.
Speaker 4 (02:14):
Go ahead, it's okay, two of our biggest events that
highlight that are our annualChristmas tree festival and our
annual Put-in-Pub event.
So those nonprofits thatparticipate in those events.
We gift them with that profitsharing but also we have ways
(02:35):
during that event that they canbe raising their own funds to go
back to their nonprofit and wegive whatever they raise for
that event goes strictly back tothem.
Speaker 2 (02:44):
Well, I happen to know about that because I'm the
chair of the board of the FortMyers Beach Chamber of Commerce,
so I know about our wine treeand we are thrilled every year.
And of course I can't even makea stick person.
So I mean I always stand aroundand act like I'm helping, but
I'm actually really not.
I'm just standing there goinghere's this, here's this.
Speaker 4 (03:05):
Yeah, yeah, we certainly get some really
creative trees, wreaths,centerpieces, and your wine tree
is always front and centerevery year.
Speaker 2 (03:16):
Well, like I said, I wish I could take credit for
that.
I absolutely cannot.
I remember the first year wedid it.
We did it with corks, like wehad cork angels.
Kat and I were in the kitchencutting these corks with knives
and we had the hot glue gun andof all people me helping Kat
Actually she was in charge ofthat sort of and it was a total
(03:38):
ball putting that together.
And then, of course, like Isaid, we have people that are
really creative that put ittogether and make it look really
great and we make a lot ofmoney off of that tree, and so I
thank you for that for sure.
I know your clubhouse.
Oh, my gracious, that was likethe first school right.
Is that right?
Was your clubhouse?
Speaker 1 (03:58):
originally the second school.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
Okay, right, yeah.
Speaker 4 (04:04):
Yeah, it was pretty heartbreaking to lose the
building.
We and Mary can speak a littlebit more to this on the timeline
, but previous to the storm wewere getting ready to gear up
and do a capital campaign torefurbish the building and
renovate it.
So Ian built us other plans andI know Mary's got some more
(04:28):
information that she's going towant to share with you regarding
that.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Okay, yeah, I know you're working toward getting a
new clubhouse, but you own theland, right, correct?
Okay, that was great that youhad that.
That's a beautiful piece ofland, that's a great piece of
land.
That's a great piece of landfor sure, and so I'm glad you'll
you'll have a place in.
Miriam really would like you totalk to um what your, you know
(04:52):
what your plans are for that.
Tell me if, if people werelistening right now, like you,
to become a member would be agreat idea, right?
Is that $75?
Is that right To become amember?
Speaker 3 (05:04):
would be a great idea , right?
Is that $75?
Is that right To be a member?
It's $75 at the first of ourfiscal year, which is April 1st.
After April 1st, after April30th, it's $50 a year, but you
don't get any voting rightsuntil you have been a member for
a full year.
Okay, so you get to do theactivities, you get to come to
our meetings, you network, youget to do all the things, but
(05:25):
you don't have voting rights.
Speaker 2 (05:28):
If you were a member?
What would be, let's say, if Iwere a member and I would love
to come and help, whatever?
When do you meet?
Like?
What would that look like to bea member?
Speaker 3 (05:39):
Well, it's changed after Ian, because we don't have
a clubhouse anymore, changedafter Ian, because we don't have
a clubhouse anymore.
Our membership meetings are thefirst Wednesday of the month at
6 30.
I'm always at the board meetingfirst and I don't.
I think our next one is inSeptember, but, megan, I'm not
(06:00):
sure where it's at, do you?
Speaker 4 (06:03):
No, I believe we are back at the Pancake House, but
we can confirm that.
So they have been a wonderfulpartner for us for some of our
meetings and it's nice becausewe get to give back to one of
the businesses too.
Speaker 2 (06:17):
I was just going to say the same thing.
Yeah, do they still have thatside room?
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (06:22):
Yes, Perfect.
Well, that you know exactly,and that's what we did with
state insurance is one of thethings that we do is like our.
We do an event called Hats Offto you In fact, you'll be
invited to it if you weren'tinvited to it last year where we
get all, we gather, all thelocal nonprofits that we've
given to throughout the year,and then we have an event at the
(06:42):
end of the year called Hats Offto you, and it's just like hors
d'oeuvres and drinks and so on.
And last year well, the firstyear we did it was at Pink Shell
Last year yeah, you were at thePink Shell one.
Last year we did it atMargaritaville, and so last year
and what Blake does is he givesaway more money.
So last year I think we gaveaway an additional $9,000.
(07:08):
We drew from the hat.
And so we do the same thing.
We try to give back, bringthings to the beach.
I mean really this year for ourChristmas party, for our
employees.
We're going over Salty Sam'sand take the pontoon out.
They're going to drop us atBonita Fish.
We're going to have dinnerthere in their new side room,
(07:30):
which is beautiful, and thentake the party bus back.
So we try to do the same thingyou guys do.
So thank you from the chamberside of things.
Thank you so much for doingthat.
So tell me again I'm so sorrybecause I was talking too much
when are your meetings again?
Speaker 3 (07:50):
The first Wednesday of the month at 6.30 pm, and I
think it might be at the PancakeHouse, but we'll have to
confirm that It'll probably beon your website right.
Speaker 4 (07:58):
Yeah, exactly.
For sure, or our Facebook page,and I think it's really
important to point out that youknow we have had this surge of
membership, took notice of thatand want to be a part of
something that is so meaningfuland impactful on the island.
But I think Mary shouldhighlight a little bit how we
(08:34):
did that fundraising and whatresulted of it.
Speaker 2 (08:37):
Well, and you gave away like three quarters of a
million dollars, didn't youCorrect?
Speaker 3 (08:41):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (08:42):
Mary, speak to that.
Tell us what you did Correct.
Speaker 3 (08:45):
Yeah, mary, speak to that, tell us what you did.
So immediately after Ian, likeeveryone, all our members were
displaced and we took our firstdonation towards hurricane
relief.
The board approved to do thison September 30th, two days
after no-transcript.
(09:12):
So I think that's like 1,500families that were impacted.
You know there were so manypeople the testament to.
They had no idea where to go.
They didn't know how to.
You know how they were going toput a taco in their lunch.
You know their lunchbox.
You know, and we've had somereally amazing stories.
Gentleman lost everything and hejust needed a pair of work
(09:33):
pants to get back to work.
You know, it's just and it was.
There was not a lot of red tapelike there was for other relief
resources.
You had to have a valid ID thatsaid you lived in the 33931.
And there was about threemembers three or four members
from the Women's Club and two orthree members from the
Community Foundation that weunited with to do that.
(09:56):
But it was a very hands-on taskas far as reviewing
applications, getting IDs,confirming information.
But I think it was the rightthing for the Women's Club and
the members and our community atthat time Club and the members
and our community at that time.
You know, interestingly, on thatnote kind of you know, as our
(10:19):
tenure with the Women's Club,megan's and mine, you know we've
had, we had COVID, we had Ian,we've had different things and,
ironically, the Christmas TreeFestival, which State USA or
State Insurance USA is a sponsorto.
We have not missed a year ofthe Christmas Tree Festival,
even when, after Ian, we did itin the parking lot.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
Yes, we did.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
Yes, we did yeah, and so it just it goes to speak to,
you know, the community justbeing resilient and wanting to
continue.
You know, I mean be resilient,I don't know, I don't have a
better word for it.
No, I know.
Speaker 2 (11:01):
And after watching and I know obviously you both
watched the special that was onNBC a couple weeks ago.
If you didn't, you cancertainly watch it on Peacock
and I know part of that film, Ithink, came from Dan Megan, with
the boat coming towards yourhouse.
But after seeing that it mademe to see it again realize, oh
(11:23):
my gracious, look how far we'vecome.
You know really.
Speaker 4 (11:27):
We actually took that from Mary and Tom's house.
Speaker 2 (11:30):
Oh, was it from your house, Mary.
Yeah, yeah.
So it was definitely surrealwatching it again I know it
really was and it was sotastefully done.
It was done very.
But you know to hear aboutmitch and mary and you know and
okay, well, anyway, we'regetting away from the women's
(11:52):
club, but anyway um go ahead.
Speaker 3 (11:56):
I'd like to bring upail is that one thing also
that we started doing after Ianis what we call the FMV Pub
Passport, and I don't know thata lot of people know about that.
We did start it in 2023.
So we're on our third year.
It runs nine months.
It's $25 and has $120 insavings at local restaurants,
(12:18):
and then you complete it.
You get a stamp at eachlocation and this year you get a
commemorative Turfist Tumblr.
That's great.
How do you get one of those?
Tell us, so you can.
It's on our website.
You can go to fmb-wcorg and andyou'll see the pub passport and
you can place an order andthey'll usually ship out within
(12:40):
three days.
Otherwise, if you're on islandor Fort Myers Central proper,
you can pick it up at HurricaneTina's or Wahoo Willie's or La
Ola or Margaritaville RetailStore At the retail store.
Okay, yeah, awesome, and that'ssomething that is really good
for our businesses, absolutely Iwish I'd known about that.
Speaker 2 (13:02):
I don't know why I didn't, but I'm that's, that's
good, that's good to know, but Ibrought it up.
I'm glad you did too.
We actually I was at a meetingwith um, with uh vcb, this
morning at the Collaboratory andthey were talking about
different efforts to.
You know, bring people to morebusinesses, more hotels.
You know that type of thing,and that's good to know.
(13:23):
I'll, really, I'll, pass thatalong.
Yeah, that's good, absolutely,I really, really will.
So if people want to help,people always want to help, I
think.
What do they do?
How do they reach out to you?
What's the best way to help youhelp others, what's the best
(13:46):
way?
Speaker 3 (13:46):
I think there's ways to help.
In what is your.
It depends on what a person'smotivation is.
Are they feeling philanthropicand they want to help us rebuild
the Fort Myers Beach Women'sClub?
We'd love to hear from you.
We have giving levels.
It actually was a year agotoday that we launched our
capital campaign for the Women'sClub oh that was timely, it was
(14:09):
, it was a year ago today andironically, it's kind of a crazy
story, that boy.
We had Don, the past president,and I had had one-on-one
meetings for about three weeksand we got a million dollars in
commitments in the first threeweeks and then it was.
I mean, yeah, it was.
(14:29):
But then we had Helena Miltonand it's kind of put it, it's
been a damper.
You know, it'll be really nicenot to have a hurricane this
year let's start there.
Speaker 2 (14:39):
Coming from an insurance company point of view,
I would second that yeah.
Speaker 3 (14:46):
Um, I don't think our hearts could take much more,
but no no, no, yeah, there'sdefinitely a fatigue there, but,
um, if you're interested insupporting businesses I just
mentioned the pub passport wejust launched if you're a
nonprofit interested inparticipating in our Christmas
tree festival, which theopportunity there I'll give a
(15:07):
brief description is that thenonprofits are able to, as you
said, the chamber puts in a winetree, so they do metal rack
that has, I think, like 110bottles of wine.
It's a lot.
Right, it's a lot.
It's pretty amazing.
But other people donatedifferent kinds of Christmas
trees, there's wreaths, there'scenterpieces, and if you're a
business that wants to do thatand donate the proceeds to a
(15:29):
nonprofit, you can do that.
Speaker 2 (15:31):
It doesn't have to be a nonprofit for a nonprofit.
Speaker 3 (15:33):
But if you're a business that you really love
Golisano Children's Hospital orthat type of thing we invite you
to participate and theneverything that that tree sells
it's on a silent auction.
So whatever your tree or yourwreath sells for all those
proceeds go directly back to thenon-profit.
To the non-profit right To thenon-profit and we'll write the
(15:55):
check right to them, Above andbeyond all of our expenses.
Then we have what oursponsorships are remaining and
we conclude that as an additionto what was earned on their item
Right, Maggie.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Wonderful.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
And I think you know another thing that some of our
businesses have been doing,which I think is really
thoughtful they're partnering upwith one of the local
nonprofits that's here on thebeach, because the reality is,
after Ian, everybody's volunteerbase is down, it's harder to
get things done.
A lot of our nonprofits don'thave spaces to work on things,
(16:32):
so these businesses have beenstepping up and partnering with
them to work on things.
So these businesses have beenstepping up and partnering with
them so they have twice theamount of volunteers that are
working on the tree and twicethe amount of creativity that's
going into it.
So that's a great way for thosebusinesses to partner with
nonprofits as well.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
That's a great idea, wonderful.
Well, I know you did want totalk about, tell me about the
building, the new building.
I know you wanted to chat aboutwhat that's going to look like,
what your vision is for that,for your new clubhouse.
Speaker 3 (17:06):
I'm sorry I missed it .
Speaker 1 (17:08):
Okay.
Speaker 2 (17:09):
I think you asked about the future of the women's
club, the new women's clubbuilding, and what your vision
is for that.
Speaker 3 (17:19):
We actually do have drawings.
We have been very blessed thatAlbert from AD Design and Jim
Ink from Ink Engineering hashelped put together our design
and our building pro bono.
It will be an elevated building, it will have a community room
and then it'll also have aboardroom and it will have what
(17:41):
we're calling an education room.
And then also, because there'snot a lot of nonprofits that
actually have physical space onthe island, we have three
lockouts, which is they can rentthose for a year, they have
their own storage room and thenthey have access to our
education room or our boardroomas needed and to host one or two
events in our community room.
(18:01):
Events in our community room um, we, you know, after, after
covid and before ian, we were Imean, we were renting out our
building pretty regularly.
We had a wedding five daysbefore ian, I think we were like
you have to come get your stuff.
There's going to be a storm.
I mean I mean known, you know?
Um, uh, yeah, you know we triedto because we we actually
(18:26):
bought another storage unit andput it on our property.
I don't even think we had powerin there for a month before
Milton and Milton washed it away.
Speaker 4 (18:39):
I mean so now we found it in the canal next door.
Speaker 2 (18:42):
Yeah, gosh.
Speaker 3 (18:44):
Unbelievable.
So we reverted to just rentingoff Island, which works great.
It's in a great location.
But you know we actually went.
Megan and I and Dawn went tothe state this year.
We had actually asked for somefunds from the state and we were
actually in the negotiating upuntil about two weeks before the
(19:05):
budget went to the governor.
And we were actually in thenegotiating up until about two
weeks before the budget went tothe governor and we didn't make
it in there.
We were really hoping for thatbecause we felt like it would be
a boost to the donating.
But I think we haven't stoppedfundraising.
We're still fundraising.
We currently have a statecompetition going on that if
(19:26):
your state make a donation onbehalf of your state, the state
that raises the most money willget to fly their flag for six
months on our flagpole.
Oh great, yeah.
So we have, you know,innovative things that we're
trying to do and we haven'tgiven up, we're just ready.
We've all kind of our committeehas said we'll wait to make
sure that there's no hurricanesthis year I thought the timing's
(19:48):
right yeah yeah, the timing'sright.
Speaker 4 (19:50):
Yeah, we have our wall too, uh we do part of our
fundraising.
Yeah, so that mosaic wall.
They can pay 50 and uploadtheir favorite picture from the
beach or their vacation or theirfamily photo.
They can upload as many as theywant and we're going to have a
(20:11):
basically interactive mosaicwall in the building that can
highlight all of these pictures.
Speaker 2 (20:15):
Oh, I love that.
I love that Awesome.
Well, I can't thank you twoenough for taking some time out
of your really busy day.
I know both of you, Megan andMari, are really, really busy
people.
I want to thank you for mepersonally and thank you for,
obviously, the Chamber ofCommerce for everything that you
do and, of course, from StateInsurance Cares we donate to
(20:37):
local nonprofits, and that'swhat the heart of State
Insurance Cares has always beenabout, and you will always be a
part of who we give to andsponsor, and so I just wanted to
know that.
Just thank you so much to bothof you and everybody on your
board and so on.
I appreciate it and so we'lltalk again soon and we'll see
(20:58):
you soon.
And, of course, I'll be therefor the Christmas tree festival,
standing around watching peoplebe creative.
Thank you so much.
All right, thanks for being ontoday.
We really appreciate it.
Happy to have you.
Have a great day.
Speaker 1 (21:12):
Thank you Bye-bye.
Thank you for joining us onState Insurance USA Cares.
We hope today's story upliftedand inspired you.
If you'd like to support orlearn more about the incredible
work happening in your community, visit stateinsuranceusa.
com or call 239-567-9992.
You can also visit CaboWaboJim.
com.
Until next time, be sure to letyour sun shine and keep sharing
(21:34):
good and positive vibeswherever the waves take you.
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