WE DO GOOD THINGS!

Proceeds from all Indian Rocks Beach Homeowners, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, are donated back to the City of IRB to fund important community projects, further worthwhile causes and support beneficial organizations.

Projects partially or fully funded through our efforts:

  --Community Christmas Tree (2009)/New decorations (2011)

  --Commemorative bricks for noteworthy deceased community members

  --IRB Holiday Lighted Boat Parade

  --Chic-a-Si Park lighting

  --City if IRB employee spring cookout sponsor

  --Bocci ball court lighting

  --Osprey platforms (2)

  --Beach street signs

  --Bicycle racks

  --Beach Boxes for Troops

Contributions to the following organizations:

  --SPCA (sponsored a team in their Bowl-a-thon that raised over $25,000!)

  --Beach Food Pantry

  --Seminole Warhawk Marching Band

  --Suncoast Hospice

  --Little League (team sponsorship)

  --Volunteer Firemen's Association of Pinellas

  --Seminole Youth Athletic Organization

  --Tampa Bay Watch

  --Grace House

  --Help A Child

  --Morton Plant's Pinellas Mammogram Voucher Program

HELPING NEIGHBORS IN NEED

The IRB HOA continued our support of the Beach Community Food Pantry with another $1,000 contribution in July 2012. Located at Calvary Episcopal Church, 1615 1st Street in IRB, the BCFP provides much needed assistant to our neighbors facing tough times.

SUPPORTING MORTON PLANT'S MAMMOGRAM VOUCHER PROGRAM

Recognizing that some women are forced to forego mammograms due to being either uninsured or underinsured, the IRB Homeowners contributed $2,000 in Morton Plant's Pinellas Mammogram Voucher Program, so more local women have the benefit of early detection. Our group also donated a portion of the 2012 Poker Run proceeds to this worthwhile cause.

BEACH BOXES FOR TROOPS-NOW IN ITS SECOND YEAR

Our August 2012 shipment of Beach Boxes for Troops arrived in the hands of some very grateful men and women with ties to our beach area serving in the Middle East. Ginger Parr, USN, said "From the second I opened the box and saw the IRB sticker, it was all water works from that point on." Carol and Mike McGlaughlin's grandson, Zachary, received a box of goodies and the McGlaughlin's paid us the ultimate compliment: "How did you ever know what these kids want and need?" Even though this is one of the Homeowners' most work-intensive programs, it's well worth every hour our volunteers spend!

PERSONAL THANK-YOUS FROM AUGUST 2012 BEACH BOX RECIPIENTS

WE DO DOO-DOO

The IRB HOA, in cooperation with the City of IRB, is conducting a "Doggy Doo-Doo Bag Stand" test project. This year, the City budgeted $6,000 for the cost of dog waste bags distributed throughout the City for residents to clean up after their pets. By our group footing the tab for constructing and erecting the first bag stand unit and encouraging residents to place their used plastic grocery bags inside, we save the City the money used to purchase the current bags and reduce the amount of bags in our landfill. It's a win-win for the City, the environment and the residents! The initial stand is in process even as we speak, so keep looking in Kolb Park (across from City Hall) for its debut. If it goes well, additional stand will be installed across the City and in our parks. Once again, we DO DO it!

OOO...AHHH...

The pergola in the 12th Avenue park is lush and green during the day but disappeared into the darkness at night. That's until Wired Island, with funding from the IRB HOA, installed energy-efficient, colored LED lighting. It's a combination of artistry and vision designed by Ivy Slotnick and HOA Board Member Lance Corragio and enjoyed by the whole town at its debut at the 2011 Christmas Tree Lighting. (And, our group donated all the new Christmas decorations for the big tree, too!)

OPERATION HELMET

The IRB Homeowners Association recently made a donation to Operation Helmet, an organization that provides blast and impact protecting helmet pad upgrades to our fighting men and women in Afghanistan and other dangerous areas. This makes combat helmets more comfortable and fit more securely on the head, providing better shock absorbing protection against the possibility of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). This cause, brought to us by HOA Board Member Lisa Dawson and her husband, Chris, is one we're proud to support. Operation Helmet was grateful for our donation saying "It is gratifying that Great Americans like you keep our warriors in their hearts and minds...and is a symbol of what Americans will do to help their troops in harm's way."

MAKE YOUR OWN DONATION TO OPERATION HELMET

BEACH BOXES FOR TROOPS-ROUND 2

Fittingly, IRB Homeowners member Bob Mecca deposited our second shipment of Beach Boxes for Troops at the IRB Post Office the day after Veterans Day 2011. They arrived in the Middle East in the hands of five military servicemen and women with connections to our area in nine days. The boxes included some holiday goodies, letters of thanksgiving from the children at the COTI School, and even a few things they can share with others. (Our first servicewoman was among this group of recipients!)

IRB AROUND THE WORLD

Sgt. James C. Young, nephew of HOA member John & Suzanne Thayer and recipient of goodies through our Beach Box for Troops program, proudly displayed his IRB sticker on the front lines.

A BANNER DAY FOR THE HOMEOWNERS

Keeping our waters beautiful is important to all of us. So, the Homeowners Association designed and funded the printing of the banner that will hang in the County Park to remind residents of the semi-annual Coastal Clean-Ups. The best news: After years of declining attendance, the October 15th Clean-up was the largest turnout ever...with over 100 folks cleaning the shoreline. The banner will be used every spring and fall to promote the event!

BEACH BOXES FOR TROOPS

Our first shipment of Beach Boxes have arrived in the hands of the servicemen with connections to our area who are stationed in the Middle East. Thanks to HOA member and former board member, Jacque Enderle, who spearheaded the project, the shipment included all types of goodies from candies to lotion, letters of appreciation from local school children at COTI...and, of course, an IRB sticker! Commander USN Retired Victor Wood, IRB resident and HOA member, donated copies of his book, Polishing The Old Brown Shoes, chronicling his 20-year military career and rise to CEO of Burger King Canada. Our group plans to ship Beach Boxes every quarter, so if you know of servicemen and women stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, etc. with relatives in or connection to our area, or would like to donate items and/or money to help support the program, e-mail us at info@irbhome.com.

LETTER TO JASON ROSSI, SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN

THANK-YOUS FROM OUR BEACH BOX RECIPIENTS

BEACH RECYCLING STANDS

Thanks to a $1,500 donation from the Homeowners Association, recycling stands have been constructed near the entrance/exit ramps to the beach throughout the city to hold the 50 plastic barrels Pinellas County provided as part of their new Beach Recycling project. Beachgoers are now able to drop off items, such as beverage cans (no glass!) as they arrive or leave the beach. Pictured above using the new addition at 12th Avenue are HOA Board Members (left to right), VP Phil Wrobel, Karen Mortimer, Mayor R.B. Johnson, President Becky Griffin, and Khris Turpin.

NATURE PRESERVE OSPREY PLATFORM

Next time you're enjoying the Nature Preserve (Gulf Boulevard between 8th & 9th Avenues), look high to see IRB Homeowners Association dollars at work. A top a 35 ft. pole, installed by the City of IRB on May 26th, 2011, you'll see a fiberglass dish that will be home to some new feathered friends thanks to our $2,000 contribution.

CHIC-A-SI PARK LIGHTING PROJECT

A $19,000 donation by the IRB Homeowners Association paid to complete the lighting project in Chic-a-Si Park, across from the Post Office. The final phase of the project included the installation of 45 LED sidewalk lights, which cost only $56 per year to operate, installed by Wired Island owners/IRB residents Lance Corragio and Ivy Slotnick. Our funds also provided lighting for the bocci ball court and a previous donation of $7,000 for the initial phase of the two-year project was used to add more power in the parkhe power for the first phase of this two-year projected events.

BEACH ACCESS STREET SIGNS

At the suggestion of Homeowner Board Member Lisa Dawson, A portion of the 2010 Guppy's Gulfside Gallop proceeds purchased street signs that were installed by City employees at the major beach accesses. Now thanks to the efforts of the IRB Homeowners Association, you'll know exactly where you are in the IRB when you're walking the beach...which is especially helpful to visitors.

2011 HOLIDAY TOY DRIVE

Each year, the IRB Homeowners Association puts smiles of the faces of many children in need. The 2011 Holiday Happy Hour and Toy Drive was hosted by Century 21 Beggins and the Red Lion Pub donated two kegs of beer. We collected an unbelievable amount of toys in addition to the Wal-mart gift certificates we purchased...all to benefit Grace House and the Homeless Emergency Project (HEP).