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 Fort Pierce Yacht Club |
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Scan here to donate to FPYC Foundation |
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The Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation, Inc. ("Foundation”) was organized in 2018 as the charitable arm of the Fort Pierce Yacht Club. A 501 (C) (3) charity, the FPYC Foundation has as its purpose:
a. stewardship of the Indian River Lagoon through the financial support of scholarship programs to conduct marine sciences and related research; activities and programs directed toward “clean water"; and programs directed toward the improvement of the water's recreational value; and
b. operation of activities and programs which further the understanding and knowledge of sailing, boating, and the use of watercraft of all types
c. programs which support the Fort Pierce Yacht Club’s community mission
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Charitable ContributionsWhy we do what we do... Proceeds from the 2023 Charity On the Water Poker Run benefited several charities that focus ‘on the water' activities for the youth of Fort Pierce. This year’s beneficiaries include: FAU Harbor Branch stipend for a summer intern who will be working with Dr. Gabby Barbarite, Director of Outreach and Engagement; Stella Maris Eco Camp on Wesley Island; The Manatee Observation and Education Center; and The Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation. |
FAU Harbor Branch stipend for a summer intern who will work with Dr. Gabby Barbarite, Director of Outreach and Engagement |
Stella Maris Eco Camp on Wesley Island |
The Manatee Observation and Education Center |
The Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation |
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Two major undertakings by the Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation are:CHART YOUR COURSE and the CHARITY ON THE WATER POKER RUN. |
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CHART YOUR COURSE, A Maritime and Marine Industry Career Expo |
CHART YOUR COURSE, a Maritime and Marine Career Expo for 100 St. Lucie Public School students and 9 Project LIFT students, is hosted by the Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation. A collaborative effort by many industry individuals who will generously share their knowledge and skills in specific fields and provide a positive attitude which is exactly what made our first event in 2023 a resounding success. In 2024, nineteen companies, large and small, all from Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County were on hand to talk with the students about who they are, what they do, the types of jobs their company offer, and the wide range of educational experience required from none to master’s and doctorates, and equally important, the attitudes they need to bring to the workplace. Through demonstrations, presentations, exhibits and old-fashioned face-to-face conversation, the students learned a lot. From a dive tank complete with a diver inside to a drone display, to captains on boats on the Fort Pierce Yacht Club dock, the range of jobs were endless. We also had 45 volunteers from the Fort Pierce Yacht Club to provide the helping hands needed for the coordination of the event.
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The key to this all coming together for the students was in the panel discussion focus, “How to Get There.” Discussed was the educational path of what courses the students need to take and the schooling options necessary, if any. Moderated by Justin Beard, Executive Director of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, the panel included Captain Don Welch, an instructor from Chapman School of Seamanship; Charles Vallance, Strategic Developer from UESI, Inc.; Petty Officer Jacob Snyder from the US Coast Guard; and Joshua Revord, the Director of the Department of Port, Inlet & Ports for St. Lucie County. The panel discussion, along with supportive handouts from the participants, gave the students the tools to discover the right career path that can help them achieve the goal of getting their dream job.
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Thank you to all our sponsors!Sponsors of the 2024 Chart Your Course include Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Robynn and Steve Holland, City of Fort Pierce, City of Fort Pierce Marina, Derecktor, Diane and Ed Hyer, Ginny and Bob Harbison, Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast (MIATC), Project LIFT, Ruth and Steve Jaroski, St. Lucie Public Schools, Susan Sohni and Karen Murphy, UPS Store #4314 St. James Place, Anonymous, Barbara Rose, Boat Owners Warehouse, Diane and Mitch Korbey, FIN & FOIL, Natalie’s Orchid Island Juice, Shearwater Marine, Sue and Ron Miller, Wawa, PSL Custom Print and Graphics. Additionally, the day would not be possible without the 40+ volunteers from the Fort Pierce Yacht Club. |
Thank you to all our participants! |
This video about the 2024 Chart Your Course was created by the St. Lucie Public Schools. |
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| 2023 Charity On the Water Poker Run |
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The 5th Annual Charity On the Water Poker Run The FPYC Foundation Charity On the Water Poker Run was held on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Co-Chairs Suzi Boardman and Victoria Westphal did a fantastic job of the organization and execution of this fun event. Poker Run winners were First place: Bill and Kim Clarizio, Second place: Steve Jaroski, Third place: Jen Debosier, Best Dock: The Hayek’s and Crew, Best Boat: Derelict Doug. |
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| We especially thank our sponsors for making the Charitable On the Water Poker Run a success! Fleet Leader: Pursuit Boats Dock Master: Fort Pierce Yacht Club, Freedom Boat Club, Southern Castles, Ft. Pierce City Marina, Rotary Club of Fort Pierce, Tow Boat U S, Pierce 1 Marina, Island Pig and Fish, Causeway Cove Marina, Second Wind Wellness, Shelli Associates LLC, Robynn and Steve Holland Crew Leader: Pullin Drag Charters, Chuck's Seafood, UPS at St James Place Deck Hands: Jetson Appliances, Summerlin’s Seven Seas |
And of course, a hardy thank you to all the volunteers and participants!!
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IDRC Graduate Student Testimonial - EmilyAloha from Emily Rutkowski, an Indian River State College Graduate and scholarship recipient from the Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation's 2nd Annual On the Water Poker Run. Emily spent the summer of 2019 at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute for their summer internship program to study suberites aurantiacus (you'll have to watch the video for more!). Her experience at the summer internship led her to her position at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology where she recorded this video for us. "I would like thank everyone in the Fort Pierce Yacht Club for their help and support. I wouldn't have been able to do it without you. And as you can see, you're not just helping the community, you're helping the world." - Emily Rutkowski |
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Foundation News UpdatesTo receive email updates about the FPYC Foundation, CLICK HERE. |
For more information, contact the Chairperson of the Fort Pierce Yacht Club Foundation at ChairFPYCFoundation@gmail.com or |
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