Lakewood Ranch golfers raise over $70,000 for Stillpoint Mission

Bob Smith and his golf buddies have done it again.

For the past 13 years, Smith has hit send on a series of emails that continues to raise more funds each year for Stillpoint Mission, a Bradenton organization that provides families in need with food, diapers, hygiene products and financial assistance.

What started out as a $1,500 donation the first year has turned into a $77,425 donation to the mission this year. Since eclipsing their first-year fundraising efforts, it was fitting that Smith, fellow fundraisers and mission board members celebrated Monday under the solar eclipse with Champagne and safety glasses.

To date, Smith’s email campaign has raised $383,622. 

“Thirteen years ago when I started this, we were passing out either two or three cans of beans, soup or macaroni and cheese. That was it,” Smith said. “I was there last Friday. Now, they get a big bag of six or seven food items, and there were 400 people there.”