CECI creates wish lists to restock classrooms

The Children's Education Center of the Islands on Sanibel reported that all its classroom furniture, books and learning materials were destroyed in Hurricane Ian For those interested, it recently created Amazon wish lists in an effort to help restock its classrooms for its grand reopening set for August.

“Every little bit helps,” CECI officials reported The wish lists are as follows:

∫ Outdoor Play List: https://a co/eJaomt4

∫ Dramatic Play List: https://a co/5w8jQcD

∫ Music List: https://a co/cFO5Lm5

∫ Furniture List: https://a co/1fXsnpM

∫ Literacy List: https://a co/2m73WC3

∫ STEM List: https://a co/gCsF1vi

∫ Administrative List: https://a.co/6hJyByw

∫ Book List: https://bookshop org/wishlists/5c5f74 e2fc060e17177bc6b4c05036e3ce64552f?fbclid=IwA R2jdI7E9pMtaFwNFqb4I4Ogn0IJWcYX6dY9eWj41o

Archway memorial at refuge

The “Ding” Darling Wildlife SocietyFriends of the Refuge reported that when H u r r i c a n e I a n s l a m m e d t h r o u g h t h e islands on Sept. 22, it destroyed much of the J N “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge's iconic entrance archway One section a well-loved depiction of a raccoon survived the storm The DDWS put it up for auction at its Go Bully for “Ding” fundraiser in February to help raise money to replace the archway and r e p a i r o t h e r d a m a g e T h e f a m i l y o f Cynthia Sargent won the bid, then donated the artwork back to the refuge in her memory. The raccoon section now graces t h e w a l l o u t s i d e t h e A m e r i c a ' s B e s t Restroom Artist David Williams, who created the original archway and restroom artwork, has begun designing a newer edition of the whimsical and welcoming 3-D art

Geoff and Robbie Roepstorff, of Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, with a captured Burmese python.

EDISON NATIONAL BANK/BANK OF THE ISLANDS

Bank to ser ve as sponsor

Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands is a Military Prizes Sponsor for the 2023 Florida Python Challenge, set for Aug 4-13 Organized by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Water Management District and Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida, it encourages participants to remove as many invasive Burmese pythons from designated Florida public lands as possible The bank sponsorship will provide prize money for participants who are actively serving in the military or are veterans For more information, visit http://www flpythonchallenge org/

5o-L 5HvFmiD3YqIw

∫ Art Supplies List: https://a co/0Ca7gNd

Officials noted that the Art Supplies List is being purchased by the CECI board and Sanibel Captiva Business Women’s Association membership

“We are also accepting gently used age-appropriate books and wood toys,” they added

To arrange a donation drop off, contact CECI Board Member Laura Gales at Cecigrantcoordinator@gmail com

From left, Christy Sargent, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge volunteer Laurie Harkey and “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge Associate Executive Director Ann-Marie Wildman with the latest addition to the outer wall of the America's Best Restroom