Marco Rotary Club honors Carole Roberts

The Noontime Rotary Club of Marco Island announced that Carole Roberts (center) and Neil and Rebecca Snyder were selected as the first three recipients of the 2015 Spirit of Marco Island Award.

Carole Roberts was surprised by the presentation at a recent board of directors meeting of the Cultural Alliance of Marco Island and Goodland. Bruce Graev, the president of the noontime Rotary Club, made the announcement to the delight of the board members present, noting that Roberts has volunteered her time and talent to numerous local organizations over the years and truly is an unsung hero.

Roberts was moved by the presentation and thanked the Rotary Club for their recognition.

Roberts is active with the Marco Island Historical Society and is a founding member of the Cultural Alliance. In addition, she is a board member with the Shelter for Abused Women & Children. She has served on the Veterans Memorial Fundraising Committee, the Traveling Vietnam Wall Committee, and the original Big Flag Committee.

Neil and Rebecca Snyder were also surprised with their Spirit of Marco Island award at a recent Meals of Hope cocktail hour fundraiser hosted by CJ’s by the Bay. Al Diaz, chair of the Spirit Award Committee, made the presentation on behalf of Rotary.

Diaz noted that Neil and Rebecca Snyder were recognized particularly for their work with Meals of Hope. Over the past four years under their leadership, they have raised money and held meal-packaging events that have provided nearly 800,000 meals for people in need.

Neil Snyder is a member of the Sunrise Rotary Club and a past recipient of the Rotarian of the Year Award – and also their club’s president-elect nominee. Rebecca Snyder is a past president of the Marco Island Kiwanis Club and a past recipient of the Kiwanian of the Year. Both Neil and Rebecca are actively involved in numerous local civic associations.

Carole Roberts and Neil and Rebecca Snyder will be formally presented with their awards at the seventh annual Spirit of Marco Island Gala Awards Dinner and Silent Auction to be held on Saturday, April 25, at the Bistro Soleil Restaurant. Three additional recipients will be announced in the next two weeks!

This gala event recognizes individuals and organizations that are involved in the community through their contribution of time, talent and financial support to the community.

For more information and tickets, contact Al Diaz at 239-438-5285 or by email at royalmarcoway@marcocable.com.