BIPS inspires stewardship: April Giving Challenge can help them in their mission
For over 30 years, Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS) has been on a mission to inspire the exploration and preservation of our natural and historical treasures in the local communities of Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee Counties. Many know BIPS as the 501(c)3 nonprofit entity responsible for preserving, maintaining and managing three beloved landmarks: Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum, Gasparilla Island Lighthouse and Amory Memorial Chapel on Boca Grande, as well as four local barrier Island Florida State Parks.
What many are surprised to learn is that BIPS brings a positive economic impact of approximately $4 million to our local economy and inspires stewardship and preservation through education to over 50,000 visitors each year through Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum and Gasparilla Island Lighthouse History Tours, as well as annual educational programs and events.
BIPS’ educational programs and events inspire stewardship in the young and old alike, and sometimes the positive impact is astounding, even to BIPS’ staff. Recently, a young wader who learned about the environment in school was inspired after the Wading Adventures program to help make the world better. See her testimony on video at Vimeo.com/700782972. Another youngster decided to become a marine biologist to save marine life, and others express a desire to preserve history after visiting the lighthouses on docent led tours. Each story reflects a remarkable and personal dedication to protect nature and history that was influenced directly by a program or event hosted by BIPS.
How does BIPS do it? BIPS could not do it without a little help from friends, members, donors, sponsors and over 170 adult and youth volunteers, who donate over 7,000 hours annually to history and nature preservation and education. BIPS has also established two all-volunteer steering committees to directly help Cayo Costa Island State Park and Stump Pass Beach State Park through funding, educational programs, much needed equipment and projects, including a bird stewardship program and adopt-a-nest turtle program.
When you look at what BIPS has accomplished in the past 30 years, can you imagine what we can do, together, in the next 30? BIPS is made up of people just like you, who share a mission to save our barrier island assets. That’s one more reason BIPS is so thankful for the 2022 Giving Challenge, hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation. BIPS was chosen as one of the 700 out of 2,500 local non-profits to participate in the 2022 Giving Challenge because of many factors, including transparency.
The 2022 Giving Challenge is an online fundraiser at GivingChallenge.org and only lasts for 24 hours, from noon to noon, April 26 and 27. During these 24 hours, all unique credit card donations to Barrier Island Parks Society between $25 and $100 will be MATCHED! That means a donation of $100, for example, will be matched by The Patterson Foundation, and BIPS will receive $200. The theme of the 2022 Giving Challenge is #Be The One, and BIPS invites YOU to BE THE ONE to help the mission to inspire the exploration and preservation of our natural and historical treasures for future generations. Just visit GivingChallenge.org between noon and noon on April 26 and 27, donate between $25 and $100 and you will be the one! Come explore with us!
BIPS.org, 964-0060.
