GTC - Sundowners Restoration Fund

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Hey Everybody!

Cruzan Capt Phil here again. I wanted to put this on its own thread so that this post would not get lost in the shuffle. Cruzan Lady and her owners have started a trust account at my law firm to help rebuild Sundowners and assist Brian and Caroline with the damages they sustained as a result of the hurricanes. We are taking donations of any size for the next 30 days in an effort to help them put their lives back together.

Their house flooded and then caught on fire, their boat sank twice, and then their livelihood suffered a setback when sundowners lost the deck and front wall. The pool table was ruined and it will take a while to rebuild like it was.

But you would never know this from talking to Brian and Caroline. I had the pleasure of speaking with both of them this past weekend and they seemed in good spirits in spite of the losses that they have sustained. Their drive and motivation should be an inspiration to everyone. They have actually replaced the front wall with studs and have reopened. But there still remains much to be done with Sundowners and their home.

So Please help us gather donations for this wonderful family to assist them in restoring Sundowners and getting their lives back together. We will be sure to let them know that you were thinking of them. Make checks payable to McLin & Burnsed, P.A. Trust Account.
Mail to: Phillip Smith
McLin & Burnsed, P.A.
1000 West Main St.
Leesburg, FL 34748

If you have any questions about the above, Please do not hesitate to call me at 352 787-1241. I know they will appreciate all of your support.

Thanks again,
Phil Smith

[Cruzan Girl]

Just an update to let everybody know that we are off to a good start. I received several calls and emails for this worthy cause. Keep up the good work as I know Brian and Caroline really appreciate the help.

PHIL

(I wrote this under my wife's log in name by mistake)

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Just a note to let everybody know that our fundraiser is going great! I have heard from several people from all over the country who are extremely supportive of our cause. Special thanks to each of you who are contributing.

But we are still not at our goal. So please continue to spread the word to everyone. I look forward to having a cocktail or five with each of you in the "New and Improved" Sundowners.

Thanks again for all the support!

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Hey everyone, Cruzan Capt Phil here again. Just an update to let everyone know that Brian and Caroline have friends everywhere. We've gotten positive responses from as far north as New York and out west to Texas.

We're doing great but continue to need everyone's support. For those of you who have contributed, thanks again for your support. For those of you wishing to contribute, there's still time and every bit counts. I know that they really appreciate everyone's efforts.

Please call if you have any questions. 352 787-1241 Thanks again for thinking of this wonderful family.

Phil Smith

[Cruzan Girl]

Hey Everybody,

We got several additional contributions today towards our goal. With just 3 and 1/2 weeks left to go in our drive, it looks like we will succeed in the goal we set. It's remarkable the amount of support we are getting from everywhere.

Thanks again to all that care about this worthy cause. For contribution information, see the first post on this thread. And thanks again for caring about this wonderful family.

[Terry W]

Capt. Phil,

Thanks for keeping this thread active. I was in GTC and failed to see the original post.

It was sad to see the damage to Sundowners, but good to see their start at rebuilding efforts. Also very nice to drop in for a Kalik and their TV with the football games! They have a ways to go and can use all the support we can muster, but at least they are open and still have that great view of the sunset!

BTW - it was nice to see Cruzan Lady sitting gracefully tied to the dock, with no damage from either Frances or Jeanne.

[Cruzan Capt David]

I am hearing from friends that have spent time on the Cruzan Lady and at Sundowners. We wil be passing thier contributions along to the Sundowners Restoration Fund

[Abaco Lover]

I do not want this to sound negative, or minimize the hardships that the Sundowners owners have endured, but I wonder why we have a Sundowners Restoration Fund instead of a fund to help all impacted by the storm. I have heard of others who have lost their business or whose businesses have suffered, too. I would like an opportunity to contribute to a general fund and not one so specific. Is there anyway to contribute to a fund that would help the whole of Green Turtle Cay or the whole of the Abacos?

[Cruzan Girl]

I'm sure here is a general relief fund you can donate to; if not why not start one? We'd be happy to contribute to that too. Or, why not take a plane full of supplies over like Cruzan Capt. Phil and Dave did two weeks ago and many others have discussed in other threads? A general relief fund has to be distributed by someone, and even a large amount of money can have only a small impact on each family. Ask the people in Florida getting FEMA relief. We simply can't help everyone in Abaco, but we can make a significant impact on one family. The Sundowner's family is not the only affected family but they need the help as much as anyone else. Plus, helping to get the business back up and running will have a positive affect on the GTC economy.

This fund was starting because of a strong conviction to help in some significant way and return kindness to a deserving family that has given a lot to GTC and its many visitors. There are many similar families, business, and individuals discussed in other threads. Follow your own convictions and choose a family/buisness/indiv to support. No gift will go to waste.

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Hey Everybody,

Cruzan Capt Phil here again. Just wanted to thank everybody for their generous contributions. We had about 20 people contribute to the cause over the weekend and we are on our way towards our goal. We are taking donations through the end of October and so there is still almost 3 weeks left.

As a reminder, Please send contributions to
McLin & Burnsed, Trust Account
1000 West Main St.
Leesburg, FL 34748

I will be going to Green Turtle on Nov 5th to take Brian and Caroline the proceeds of our efforts. So join me at Sundowners on Friday night and we'll have a beer or five! Hope to see you there.

Thanks again for all your generosity.

Phil Smith

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Brian and Caroline have friends all the way out in IOWA!!! Hard to believe how small the world really is. Thanks again to all. Just over 2 weeks left in our fund raiser.

The Sundowners Preservation Society is growing every day. :)


Phil Smith

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Our Distinquished Contributor list has topped 35 members (in some cases couples or groups and so there is actually more individuals). So far the list includes people from 8 different states. Thanks for all your help! :)

There is still a couple of weeks left in our drive until the end of October so if you haven't contributed but would like to you still have time.

I'm headed up to Gainesville Florida today to watch the Gators play and meet with some folks who have pledged contributions. So hopefully it will be another good weekend for the cause.

Also, if anyone can make it, I plan to go to GTC on Nov 5th. I'd like to meet all the folks that helped with this effort. And if not on Nov 5th then hopefully soon.

Thanks again for all the support.

Phil Smith (Oh and GO GATORS!!!!!) :D

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

The list of distinguished contributors grows stronger every day. From Frankfort Kentucky to Virginia Beach Virginia to right here in central florida, lakeland. Thanks again to all for your support. The Sundowners Preservation Society will have quite a distinguished list of members :cool:

We still have almost 2 weeks remaining in our drive so keep it coming. And anyone brave enough to join me on Nov 5th at Sundowners can look forward to a few cocktails on me. :D

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

:D Hey Everybody,

Got several new members to our Sundowners Preservation Society yesterday. Welcome Tampa, Leesburg, and the Villages!.

We still have 10 days left in our Fundraiser! So its not too late to Contribute to GTC's Local watering hole.

Thanks again to everybody for your support for Brian and Caroline. :)

Hope to see you at Sundowners Nov 5th.

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

:) Special Thanks to the group from Atlanta for your generous contribution. Your Auburn girls rock! They have had a lot of fun in Abaco and on the Cruzan Lady. I'm certain that there will be more of that to come.:D

9 more days and Counting and we are doing great! Thanks again to all who have contributed to the Sundowners Preservation Society.

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Thanks to the folks in Destin and Orlando for their contributions. We are continuing to do well in our efforts. There is still 6 days left in our drive so there's still time to contribute. :)

I appreciate all of the support that all of you have shown for this cause. I'm certain that Brian and Caroline will be appreciative as well. They have a lot of hard work ahead, but this will surely help.

As a reminder, I will be in GTC on Friday Nov 5th to meet with Brian and Caroline and present them with the contributions. Anyone who can join me please do. We'll have a little RUM on me :D

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Myra]

Do you have a suggested amount? I know everything helps. Sundowners is a great place and their owners great are too.

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Myra,

Contributions are really a personal thing but my motto is big or small, we take 'em all. Thanks for your support.

Still 4 more days so don't delay. And November 5th is party time at Sundowners. I hope everbody joins me, unless of course you're scared. Remember Abaco is NOT for sissies.:D


PHIL

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Thanks to Destin and Leesburg for your Contributions.

Still a few days left in the drive!!!

ITSGonnabeGreat!

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Hey everybody,:)

Our Sundowners Preservation Society fundraiser is almost over. But there is still time to get you donation in. If you sent in a donation late last week or this weekend, please send me an email to let me know so that I can include your name on the list of Charter Members. :)

The trip is still on for Friday Nov 5th to present Brian and Caroline with the fruits of all your efforts. Hopefully, I will see some of you at Sundowners for a cocktail(s).

Thanks again to everone for your contributions.

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Hey Everybody,

We have now concluded our fundraiser for Brian and Caroline and I'll be going to GTC on Friday Nov. 5th to give them our results. I want to thank each of you for your generous contributions. I know that they will be very appreciative of our efforts.

If anyone else would like to make contributions to Brian and Caroline or others in need, please do so directly.


Thanks again for all your support. Hope to see all of you at the new and improved Sundowners.

Cruzan Capt Phil :)

[Cruzan Capt Phil]

Hey Everybody,

Just wanted to let everybody know that this weekend was a wonderful success, thanks to everyone's generosity. Brian and Caroline were very surprised and thankful.

Michelle was able to fly with me to GTC as an extra surprise for her parents.

Several contributors showed up at Sundowners to help with the festivities. We all had a wonderful time and I enjoyed meeting some new friends.

I was excited to see people playing pool and there was a small deck out back that Brian had built. They have a ways to go but things are looking good.

I look forward to meeting each of you at Sundowners in the near future. Thanks again for all the support.

Cruzan Capt Phil

[Terry W]

Thank you for the report on Sundowners and for organizing the assistance for Brian and Caroline. I'm glad Michelle was also able to go home for the festivities.

I am especially glad to know that there is a deck out back, even a small one. That step down to the beach after Jeanne wiped out the other deck was a real killer.

Terry in Lakeland

[seabiscuit]

oh, i hope this works. i'm VERY bad on the computer, but i followed the directions and hoping my pictures show up..........:confused:

[seabiscuit]

i'm shocked, it worked! the first picture obviously is brian and caroline receiving the plaque. the second is caroline opening the envelope and saying "Oh, my!" they were so happy and appreciative.