Better Together
“ You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you . What you do makes a difference , and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make .”
— Jane Goodall
Wow ! What an unforgettable year 2020 turned out to be . Did your family cancel plans that you had looked forward to for months , if not years ? Our family did … a house in Provence with dear friends , a family gathering at Kiawah with 3 generations , a couples trip to the NC mountains … the uncertainty and disappointments were unsettling . Worse , we were seeing communities and entire families dealing with a virus that was taking more lives each day .
And yet , even in the midst of so much uncertainty , when the Kiawah Conservancy asked our supporters to step up to make a positive difference for our beautiful island , you didn ’ t hesitate . The 2020 Legacy Gala Online was our largest fundraising event to date !
We all have our own unique reasons why we love Kiawah . For me , it ’ s the goosebumps I still get when I pass through the gate and am instantly transported to a different world . I ’ d bet for others it is taking their grandchildren to watch in awe as dolphins strand feed along the inlet or toasting a long-time friend at the Ryder Cup bar after a round on the Ocean Course . And the list goes on .
In past years , I have asked you to consider leaving your Legacy for Kiawah so that future generations can form lasting memories of their own . Many of you have done just that . You have donated land , commemorated loved ones in the Naturally Kiawah Demonstration Garden , added the Kiawah Conservancy to your estate plans , and volunteered with us . Thank you !
Growing our endowment fund continues to be a major initiative for the Advancement & Funding Committee . We are also prioritizing the pursuit of alternative sources of sustainable income , particularly through relationships with stakeholders . A wonderful example of this is our new four-year , $ 100,000 partnership with Palmetto Exterminators , one of the first pest control companies to commit as a Bobcat Guardian and help us in our response to the bobcat crisis .
Our success , in fact , is truly intertwined . It is the call to action you will hear from our incoming Chair Roland Hoffman at the end of this report .
Thank You !
Peggy Barnes Advancement & Funding Committee Chair Kiawah Conservancy Trustee
6 Photo by Sue Corcoran