YMCA Golden Gala

The weather might have been unfriendly, but the 2026 YMCA Golden Gala was warm and welcoming at the Hideaway Beach Club on Saturday night.

Attendees received a cheerful greeting from children who take part in the YMCA’s After School Program. Once upstairs, a helpful group of teenagers, members of the MIA Key Club, offered to take a photo and helped escort you to your seat.

The banquet hall may have been touched by Midas himself with accents of shimmering gold throughout. Attendees arrived dressed in their best, with their own touches of gold sprinkled within their ensembles.

Violinist Katherine Anderson entertained everyone as they mingled, perused the dozens of silent auction items, and enjoyed the open bar. YMCA team members were hard at work ensuring everyone had a great time.

“My co-chair, Debbie Hobbs, and I were asked to put together a fundraiser for the new 70,000 square foot Healthy Living Center, the purpose of which is to allow individuals on the island to continue to age in place in a very dignified manner,” said Ashley Lupo, one of the gala co-chairs, on what the evening’s event means. “It creates connections, it helps maintain community and socialization, and it guards against isolation.”

The goal they set and hoped to accomplish during the evening was to raise enough money to close the gap in funds between what has already been raised and what is still needed to finish the building.

Newly awarded Citizen of the Year and YMCA President and Chief Executive Officer, Cindy Love-Abounader, was ever the social butterfly, going from person to person with a warm greeting and sincere embrace.

Love-Abounader was asked what this event means to her, especially after being awarded the Citizen of the Year the night prior. “I was a little emotional last night because I remembered the people that have gotten that award over the years that are no longer with us, that have been my mentors. Those are the people that built up this foundation. And now we're just in a different cycle; now I'm not the young one anymore. It's always great to be in these situations where you're bringing people together. There’s just nothing like Marco and the feeling that we get when we are working together.”

The emcees of the event, Dave and Jeannie Rice, started the evening. “This is particularly important for me to be here because in my youth, the Y, along with coaches and other role models, influenced and guided me in my path to athletics as a professional football player and coach,” said Dave, recalling the special place he holds for the YMCA and for the Island. “I first came to Marco Island in the early 70s and have seen unbelievable growth. We do not remember a more exciting time for the YMCA than now. We have seen over the decades that the YMCA is the center of the Island. It’s been a pleasure to watch it grow.”

Through changes over the years, the mission of the YMCA has remained intact with the Judeo-Christian principles in practice through programs that build a healthy body, spirit, and mind.

Florida's favorite fundraising auctioneer, Scott Robertson, warmed up the crowd with a paddle-raising exercise and a few jokes before a surprise takeover occurred from the noontime Rotarians.

Linda Sandlin excitedly took the podium to present the 2026 Spirit of Marco award to Linda Cassens.

“This very special member of the community is incredibly generous with her time, talent, and treasure. Among so many things, she's a major supporter of the Y, of Our Daily Bread, of the Marco Island Historical Society, of the Rotary community projects, and donates hours of her time every week to grief share at the Marco Presbyterian Church.”

Embracing Cassens, Sandlin said, “You embody the Spirit of Marco Island award through your service, dedication, and commitment, embracing that true spirit of the Island while making it a better place to live.”

George Abounader presented the Marco Island Legacy Award to a surprised Dave Rice.

“Over the years, this person has served as chairman of the Christmas Island Style, Director of the YMCA Sports Festival, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Marcos Big Flag Committee, and Director of Project Rescue for Marco Island Center for the Arts. He has been honored as both Marco Island's Citizen of the Year and Marco Island's Volunteer of the Year.”

In response to this surprise, Rice admitted that the Island is the love of his life, other than his wife and children, “Why do I do this? Because there's nothing I enjoy more than doing things to make the island just a little bit better.”

After a delicious meal and music by CK Band, the live auction started with three items up for bid: A three-hour sunset cruise for up to 30 people with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres; a full week at a mountain cabin nestled between two waterfalls in North Carolina; and a roundtrip private charter flight to Key West.

Before the final round of donations through a Paddle Raise, Lupo came to the podium to delve deeper into her ‘why’ for this project.

“Every day in our community, there are seniors who wake up to long, quiet hours. Many have lost spouses, moved away from lifelong friends, or simply find themselves without a place to belong. These are our parents, our friends, who shape who we are as a community,” said Lupo. “I have been a caregiver for aging parents with diseases that impact both the physical and cognitive health. We know that regular social connection doesn't just lift spirits, it immeasurably extends life. Seniors who stay engaged with others experience better cognitive health, lower rates of depression, and a higher overall quality of life, proving the power of community.”

Currently, the Marco YMCA is unable to provide additional programming due to being out of space. Two years ago, the vote was held to make the ambitious 17k-square-foot Healthy Living Facility a reality.

“It will be a place where former tennis partners can play cards and laugh over morning coffee,” said Lupo. “Where spouses who have aged differently, either physically or cognitively, can come together and still participate in programs which align with where they are in their individual aging process.”

A new social center, library, café, larger group fitness room, and much more are in store with the building. A place where ‘friendships form, loneliness lifts, and aging in place not only becomes possible, but joyful.’

“This center will ensure that people in our community are not isolated but are supported. Not forgotten but celebrated. And not aging alone but aging together. That is my why,” said Lupo, turning to the screen in the center of the room where other notable faces of the community shared their ‘whys.’

“The Y gives back to so many people.”

“They find their friends here, they find their community here, and it just really brings people together in a healthy environment.”

“It was important for me to be able to go back to an organization that helped me grow.”

“It helps every generation. This is investing in your community, your neighbor, your family, your friends.”

“One key to longevity is to wake up with a purpose; this new building with the YMCA is going to be that purpose for so many people who have done so much for so long.”

As bidding began, a generous anonymous donor agreed to match the first $100k raised. It did not take long before the room became close to that number, with their own call to action. That is when another anonymous donor agreed to donate an additional $50k. Fueled with purpose and their own whys, the room continued to give, raising over $400,000 towards the new Healthy Living Center.

The formal portion of the evening neared its close with the Paddle Drop, each coming with a $100 donation and a chance to win an all-inclusive Chef’s Tasting for four at Marco Prime, complete with a chauffeured transport in a Rolls-Royce.

Gala chairs Hobbs and Lupo addressed the guests one last time, thanking them for their giving hearts, “You know, you really showed just how much we care about each other.”

And with that, everyone was called to the dance floor to participate in the very fitting Y.M.C.A. song to kick off the rest of the evening's dancing.