Eight Scholarships Awarded to Dependents of City Employees

This year, the City’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Program awarded a total of eight $1,000 scholarships for the 2014 - 2015 academic year.

Following Hurricane Charley in 2004, an endowment fund was established with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation to provide scholarships for dependents of City employees. This year, there are multiple sources contributing to the City’s Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. The Charitable Foundation of the Islands contributed $2,816.17; the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club contributed $1,000; the Southwest Florida Community Foundation endowment will grant $3,167 in scholarship awards; and $1,016.83 in proceeds from City vending machines, for a total of $8,000 in scholarship awards for academic year 2014 - 2015. 

The following dependents of City employees will receive scholarship awards:

Courtney Chaipel is currently pursuing her Law Degree, specializing in family and child law, from Stetson University. A 2010 Mariner High School graduate, Courtney obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from the University of South Florida in 2013. 

This is Courtney’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Courtney is the daughter of Steven Chaipel, Finance Department, who has been employed by the City for one 1 year.

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Emily Wesserling Cobian is currently pursuing her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing at Edison State College, with plans to enroll in Florida Gulf Coast University’s CRNA Program. A 1995 North Fort Myers High School graduate, Emily obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of South Florida in 1999. 

This is Emily’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Emily is the daughter of Laura Wesserling, Building Department, who has been employed by the City for 18 years.

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Hayden Cummins is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Florida Gulf Coast University. Hayden graduated from Fort Myers High School in 2012.

This is Hayden’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Hayden is the son of Terri Cummins, Planning Department, who has been employed by the City for 15 years.

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Allison Eicher is currently pursuing an Associates in Arts Degree from Edison State College. Allison graduated from Ida S. Baker High School in 2013.

This is Allison’s second year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Allison is the daughter of John Eicher, Police Department, who has been employed by the City for nearly two years.

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Andrea Wesserling Galician is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing at Hillsborough Community College. Andrea obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of South Florida in Communications in 2002. This is Andrea’s fourth year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program.

Andrea is the daughter of Laura Wesserling, Building Department, who has been employed by the City for 18 years.

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Christopher Larsen is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Marketing from Florida Gulf Coast University. Christopher is a graduate of Estero High School and a Marine Corps veteran. 

This is Christopher’s first year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Christopher is the son of Sandra Larsen, Public Works Department, who has been employed by the City for 25 years.

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Kyle Palmer graduated 10th in his class from South Fort Myers High School in 2014, with an impressive 4.78 GPA. This fall, he will attend the University of Florida, where he will pursue a degree in Mechanical Engineering.

This is Kyle’s first year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Kyle is the son of Larry Palmer, Public Works Department, who has been employed by the City for 19 years.

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Connor Tomlinson graduated in the top 6% of his class from Fort Myers High School in 2014, with an impressive 4.78 GPA. This fall, he will attend the University of South Florida where he will pursue a degree in Civil Engineering. 

This is Connor’s first year in the Employee Dependent Scholarship Program. Connor is the son of Bill Tomlinson, Police Department, who has been employed by the City for 27 years.

Published June 4, 2014 by The City Of Sanibel

Bank of the Islands Delivers Check to Foundation

Al Hanser delivers his donation to the Charitable Foundation of the Islands. 

Al Hanser is the most recent winner of the "We Love Our Islands" promotion sponsored by Bank of the Islands.

He was spotted with a "We Love Our Islands" decal on his car. That won him the right to select which local non-profit cause would receive a charitable contribution of $1,600 from Bank of the Islands. This contribution marks $48,100 given to island non-profits through the bank's "We Love Our Islands" program.

Hanser chose to direct the donation to the Charitable Foundation of the Islands, which he helped found and continues to lead as board chairman. Hanser is the chairman of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company.

"The Charitable Foundation of the Islands is working hard to address unmet needs in our island community," said Bank of the Islands vice president/manager Rob Lisenbee. "This gift is double the size we were able to present the Charitable Foundation of the Islands in 2011. By directing our gift in this way, Al has really helped us show how much we appreciate being your island bank."

All islanders are invited to stop by the Bank's Sanibel and Captiva offices to get a free "We Love Our Islands" decal and details on how their favorite charity can become the next lucky winner.

Bank of the Islands is located at 1699 Periwinkle Way, at the corner of Casa Ybel Road, on Sanibel. The Captiva office is at 14812 Captiva Drive, next to the Captiva Post Office.

As the oldest locally owned and managed community bank on the islands, Bank of the Islands is proud to be the winner of 21 "Best of the Islands" awards since 1999, including being chosen the Best Island Bank for 13 years straight.

The Charitable Foundation of the Islands' priority is to help those in need, preferably human need. The Foundation's Grants Committee strives to identity where those needs are greatest, and meets them with financial support to island residents, workers, and organizations.

Published June 15, 2012 in the Islander

Bank of the Islands Gives $800 to New Charitable Foundation of the Islands

John Schubert is the most recent winner of the “We Love Our Islands” promotion sponsored by Bank of the Islands. Schubert was spotted with a “We Love Our Islands” decal on his vehicle. That won him the right to select which local non-profit cause would receive a charitable contribution of $800 from Bank of the Islands. This contribution marks $41,500 given to island non-profits through the bank’s “We Love Our Islands” program.

Schubert chose to direct the bank’s gift to the newly formed Charitable Foundation of the Islands. Formerly associated with the Southwest Florida Community Foundation and known as the Good Neighbor Foundation, its mission will be directed toward helping island residents, workers, and organizations.  

“The Charitable Foundation of the Islands is working hard to address unmet needs in our island community,” said Bank of the Islands Vice President/Manager Rob Lisenbee. “I’m so glad we can add John’s winnings to help in their efforts. John has really helped us show how much we appreciate being your island bank.”

All islanders are invited to stop by the bank at 1699 Periwinkle Way, located at the corner of Casa Ybel Road, to get a free “We Love Our Islands” decal and details on how you and your favorite charity can become our next lucky winners. 

Bank of the Islands, a name synonymous with island community banking since 1974, is the oldest locally owned and managed community bank on the islands. They are proud to be the winner of 17 “Best of the Islands” awards since 1999, including being chosen the Best Island Bank for 12 years straight.

Published April 14. 2011 in the Islander