Letter to the Editor: ‘Friends’ skirted issues at meeting

To the Editor:

After hearing that the after school program was being changed and that Munchkins was being terminated, I attended the informational meeting to receive answers to some of my questions. I can’t say that too many answers were given. Most of the questions were skirted around or simply ignored because if they had been answered it would have been in contradiction to what had already been said. Boca Grande is a very special and unique place for what it offers, not only to the elderly population but to families.

When you come to this island, even if you have no relatives here, you feel like part of a family. If you take away the Munchkins program and the after-school program that are run so well, you will lose this sense of family. Young families will be forced to relocate to find children’s programs that will provide the essential foundation that their children that will use for the rest of their school years and lives.

If you think that doing away with these programs will benefit you financially, then take them away and see how many donations you lose. I’m sure you will see that the financial effects of not having these donations is much worse than supporting these two much needed programs. Children are the leaders of tomorrow.

These programs offer children the support and encouragement they need to grow into the next great leaders. By taking these programs away you are taking this from our children and telling them they are not important. When you take away the after-school program you are also taking away the Fun Days and Boca Buddies that are offered to our children.

The children love these events that are just for them and make them feel like they are special and important. You say that this will benefit The Island School, but I will have to drive off-island to take my youngest child to preschool, so I will also take my oldest child off-island to school.

Therefore, The Island School is going to lose more students.

If you want to be selfish and think of only yourself, then do away with these programs. But I am sure in the future you will wish you had kept them.

“If you raise your children to feel that they can accomplish any goal or task they decide upon, you will have succeeded as a parent and you will have given your children the greatest of all blessings.” - Brian Tracy

What parent doesn’t want the best for their child? That is what Munchkins and the after school program does for our children in our absence, they show our children that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. So the decision is up to you, Friends of Boca Grande, and I hope you make the right one for the future of our Island.

Lori Baker

Boca Grande