Our annual Fall Campaign, “Lighting the Path Ahead,” is underway — and we need YOU to help us make this year bigger and brighter than ever! Donate between now and January 12th by clicking here
This season, we’re celebrating The Center as a guiding light for recreation, wellness, and connection across our island community.
💡 Every Lantern Tells a Story
Each lantern on our “Pathway of Light” represents someone whose life has been brightened by The Center — children discovering new passions, families finding connection, and seniors staying active and engaged.
Your support fuels programs that keep our community active, healthy, and connected while helping us build a brighter, more sustainable future. Together, we can reach our $150,000 goal by January 12 and ensure The Center continues to be a light for all who walk through our doors.
🕯️ Be Part of the Light
When you give to The Center, you’re not only lighting the way for our community today — you’re helping build a legacy that will shine for generations to come.
💛 Double your impact with matching funds now through January 12.
💛 Donate online or at the front desk to light your lantern today. Donate Now → CLICK HERE
💬 Read Below to Hear How The Center Has Helped Light Their Path
Every story is a spark. From youth athletes and busy parents to active older adults, The Center touches lives every day.
Below, you’ll hear directly from our community members about how The Center has helped light their path — through connection, growth, and belonging.
When we moved to the island back in 2020, we were looking for a change. We loved Anna Maria Elementary, but still wanted a place to make connections outside of school. We found “our people” at The Center.
I vividly remember signing my kids up for soccer and approaching one of the moms with trepidation. We wound up hitting it off and are still close friends five years later. Not only were my husband and I able to make amazing new friends and connections, our children have as well.
Outside of the friendships, my children view much of the staff at The Center as friends and family. And it’s not just my kids — it’s everyone’s kids at The Center. They make all children who go there feel safe, appreciated and welcome.
The Center may be a place we go for sports, but we also for all the other special things that make a community flourish. It truly is a gathering place for Islanders to connect with and support one another through fun times as well as trying ones.
Thank you to The Center for being a continued beacon of light for us and for all on the Island. We appreciate you!!!
The Center isn’t just a building—it’s the heartbeat of our community, the place where our family’s most precious memories live. When I think about The Center, I don’t just see walls or fields or classrooms—I see the moments that have shaped who we are. I see my daughter’s first cheerleading stunt, the nervous excitement that turned into pride when they performed it on the field. I see my son’s very first soccer goal, the way his face lit up with pure joy, surrounded by teammates who felt more like brothers.
We’ve spent countless days and nights within those walls—practices, games, summer camps, and community events that have become the rhythm of our lives. The laughter, the friendships, the lessons learned—this is where our children have grown not just in skill, but in confidence and kindness. Coaching our island kids has been one of the greatest honors of my life. Whether it’s soccer, football, cheerleading, or baseball, being part of their journey—watching them discover their strengths and lift each other up—has been an incredible gift I never take for granted.
When the hurricane hit, we were scared, tired, and unsure of what came next. But when we walked through The Center’s doors, we were met with open arms and open hearts. The staff didn’t just hand out supplies—they offered comfort, hope, and a reminder that we were not alone. In that moment, The Center wasn’t just a community hub; it was home.
Recently, our kids started a small business of their own. Without hesitation, they decided to give back to The Center with some of their own hard-earned money. That simple act said it all. They understand—at their young age—that The Center is more than a place to play or learn. It’s the foundation that holds our island community together. It’s where values are built, friendships are forged, and where generosity is taught by example.
Our children—and their children—deserve to grow up with the same opportunities, support, and sense of belonging we’ve been given. Without The Center, families like ours simply couldn’t thrive here. It’s where our community gathers, where we celebrate and heal, and where our hearts feel whole.
The Center is not just part of our story—it is our story and one I thank God for every single day.
The Center has been a light in my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up going there as a kid it was my safe place, my playground, and my community all in one. Some of my favorite memories are from those early years at The Center, surrounded by friends and neighbors who felt more like family. It was where I learned teamwork, kindness, and the importance of giving back values that have stayed with me ever since.
As I got older, The Center continued to be part of my story in new and unexpected ways. I had the privilege of working there as an adult, and that experience gave me an even deeper appreciation for the heart and dedication that make The Center so special. I got to see firsthand how it brings people together, supports families, and creates a true sense of belonging for everyone who walks through the doors.
Now, as a mom, it’s hard to put into words what it means to watch my daughters experience that same magic. To see them running into The Center with excitement, making their own memories in the very place that shaped so much of my childhood, it’s an incredible full-circle moment.
Through every season of my life, the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. The Center has always been there. It’s been a constant source of light, love, and community for me and my family. It’s more than just a building on the island; it’s a piece of our hearts. The Center is where we’ve grown, connected, and found joy, and I’ll always be grateful for the way it continues to shine in our lives.
The Center has been such a bright and steady light in our family’s life. With five boys who all play sports there and my husband, Tyler, working at The Center, it’s truly become an extension of our home. So much of our family’s rhythm and joy happens within those walls and on those fields — from cheering on our boys during games to laughing together at BINGO nights or celebrating at one of the many special community events.
What makes it even more meaningful is that I grew up at The Center myself. Some of my best childhood memories were made there, playing sports in the old gym, and now I get to watch my own children make those same kinds of memories — often with the kids of the very same friends I grew up with. It’s such a special, full-circle feeling.
At The Center, you’re never just another family participating in a program; you’re part of something bigger — a true community. It feels like being surrounded by family all the time. The Center isn’t just a place where we go; it’s where we belong.
The Center was my second home growing up. Growing up with a working single mom, The Center provided me a stable place to make friends and gave me community. Through after-school care, youth sports, and summer camp, I spent more time at The Center than anywhere else. The staff and programs were formative in my childhood and to this day provide me with the same community and opportunity.
