A Night on Treasure Island Fundraiser Raises Over $21,000

Dec. 4, 2012 - PRLog -- Contact: Cindy Dalecki
386-566-3466 or cindy@marketing2go.biz

Palm Coast, FL – Volunteers on behalf of the Josh Crews Writing Project are excited to announce the results of their ‘A Night on Treasure Island’ Fundraiser.

The event was held Saturday, October 20th at the Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience, across from Marineland at 9505 Ocean Shore Blvd., in St. Augustine.

The Josh Crews Writing Project was created by family and friends of Josh after his life was taken before his story was ever finished. An avid reader and prolific writer, Josh believed knowledge was power and his legendary storytelling skills touched everyone he met. A memorial scholarship fund was set up through the Flagler County Education Foundation to continue Josh’s legacy of encouraging and empowering young creative writers in Flagler County elementary schools. All proceeds from the event support this endeavor.

The event raised $21,000 in net proceeds, which includes a generous donation from the Crew family. Through the Flagler County Education Foundation, the monies raised are eligible for matching grants from the state, which could tip the total to over $41,000. The $100-per-plate event included dinner, complimentary beer, wine, and rum punch. Some scurvy sailors arrived by boat and docked at the Marineland Marina. The evening’s entertainment included a silent auction and a couple of attendees, including Flagler County Property Appraiser Jay Gardner, being kidnapped by the St. Augustine pirates and held for ransom – another creative way to raise money for the cause.

The Flagler County Education Foundation Josh Crews Writing Project is led by a Florida author and publishing team of educators who will guide teachers and their sixth grade students to publish an anthology of creative writing. The project was created in anticipation of more rigorous proficiency to be required in 8th grade FCAT writing test. The project goal is to encourage teachers to use the real-life experience of publishing a book, complete with bar code and ability to order on Amazon, to inspire their students to write about their experiences and/or stories and poems fueled by their imagination.

The event was organized by Carla Cline, Joe Rizzo, Cindy Dalecki, Raven Sword, Maggie Hackett, Gretchen Smith, and a few other key scaliwags.

The event wouldn’t have been possible without generous sponsors, including the major sponsor, Blue at the Topaz, Flagler Spirits, Tiki Tender, Flagler Fish Company Sassy Sweetery, Flagler Dental, Intracoastal Bank, the Flagler County Chamber of Commerce, Flagler County Education Foundation, Leadership Flagler XIX, Craig Flagler Palms Funeral Home, Memorial Gardens & Crematory, and Woody’s Bar-B-Q.

For more information on the writing project, contact Deborah Williams at the Flagler County Education Foundation at 386-437-7526, or williamsd@flaglerschools.com.