Cookout Brings Smiles to Campers

There wasn’t a frown in sight as the campers attending the City of Marco Island Parks and Rec Summer Camps formed their line for the special cookout lunch.

For its fifth year in a row, the Italian American Society of Marco Island sponsored the lunch. One of the event organizers, Nick Fernandez, said, “We feed everyone.” This included the Parks and Rec staff and all the camp counselors. “Whoever shows up, we feed ‘em!”

The campers came out to the airnasium in staggered groups, keeping the line moving as the steady stream of IAS volunteers tended to each child’s plate.

“What kid doesn’t like a hot dog or hamburger and chips and cookies?” John Martini, another one of the event organizers, gestured to the impressive spread of childhood favorites. “And they are all very polite too!”

Looking back at how their club’s involvement with the camp began, Martini pointed at the Bocce courts in the park. He shared that during their club’s time on the courts, they would see the summer camp in progress. A few of the club members put their heads together and thought, “It would be a wonderful idea if we sponsor a summer camp!” And with that, the club members agreed and began to collect money.

Within one year, it was a success, the second year was even better, and now it continues to blossom with each passing summer.

The lunch is funded through donations made by the Italian American Society members. All funds left over are then added to their scholarship fund that they give out at the end of each season.

Parks and Rec Manager, Samantha Malloy, floated from table to table checking on the kids and ensuring everything was running smoothly, “What's great about the Italian American Society is that they do it all! They go shopping, they bring all the stuff that is needed, they're doing the cooking, they're serving, it’s just really great.”

“This group is becoming part of the program and part of the recreation family.” She smiled at the nearly one dozen volunteers.

What began as a humble idea on the court is now an annual tradition that the campers look forward to every summer.