If there’s one thing you can say about Platinum Point Yacht Club members, it’s that they believe life is better when it’s shared. Another way to say that is that PPYC members know the importance of community.
One way PPYC attempts to bring together the Burnt Store community is with our annual Shrimp Boil. As we all know, many of us here in Southwest Florida leave for cooler climates in the summer, so our return to the marina each fall always presents an opportunity for renewed fellowships. Were you one of the lucky people at last year’s Shrimp Boil? It was an unforgettable afternoon, as over 120 PPYC volunteers created a Southern feast to welcome the entire community back together for the season.
Last year the weather promised storms, so at the last minute, the event was moved inside the club. Volunteers filled a variety of roles. Guests were greeted by a team of parking attendants and shuttle drivers, 22 ambassadors were on hand to greet and seat guests, and 14 bartenders and waitstaff served up libations. 21 people worked as cooks and food runners, and 14 servers manned the buffet, while guests were entertained by our very own PPYC musicians.
This year marks PPYC’s 5th annual Shrimp Boil. Be sure to put November 19, 2025, on your calendar. Not only will there be a feast; there will be live music by PPYC musicians and a bake sale to rival any church group or PTA. And let’s not forget the “Boatload of Wine Raffle,” where two lucky winners will take home enough wine to supply them through the entire season.
Another way that PPYC cares for the larger community is with our annual Adopt-A- Child drive. For several years, PPYC has collected holiday gifts for families with students at East Elementary School. And true to our goal of increased community, the club also invites people from within Burnt Store Marina to contribute to the cause. This past year we gifted forty children from twenty-three different families.
In honor of this dedication and service to students, PPYC was recognized by the Charlotte County School Board as a Business Partner of the Year. As always, PPYC is thankful to be able to work with our Burnt Store neighbors to support needy families. We look forward to working with you again this holiday season.
The final way that PPYC members build community is within the club membership itself. Within the marina, PPYC is known as a club where people hang out together to have fun – be it at Friday Happy hours, where we watch the sun set from the Harbor View Deck, or at any of the monthly themed parties with dinner and dancing. PPYC members never pass up the opportunity to dance the night away, be it with our partners or with our girlfriends. The sense of comradery in the club is fostered and grows within the context of these many group events.
When asked what the PPYC experience brought to them, members said such things as:
• “Members are fun and inclusive.”
• “New members are recognized and made to feel welcome.”
• “Friends become like family.”
Because we know that any group can be somewhat daunting to newcomers, PPYC members really do make it a habit to wear their name tags whenever they are at the club. (I, being of that age when remembering things has become a challenge, have three name tags – one at the house, one in the golf cart, and one on the boat.) We also hold a yearly Trim-A-Tree party, where new members are introduced and invited to join the tradition of placing a personalized ornament on the holiday tree.
So, whether it’s the people we share our town with or the Marina itself, PPYC members hold the bigger view. And when it comes to our membership itself, let’s just say that PPYC members like to make and keep the friendships that make our lives worth living.
If any of these endeavors spark your interest, please come to our Open House on November 16. You can also stop by the office any Monday, Wednesday or Friday or call 941-639-0733 and talk with our most friendly Club Administrator, Dorothy Schroeder.
