42 West Palm Beach Fishing Club foundation news The Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation’s (PBCFF) initial goal of growing its Rybovich Endowment to over 1 million dollars has been reached. “It seems like yester- day when we sat down with Sandy Kaupe and Johnny Rybovich to develop the endowment. They both would be very proud of just how far we have come,” said past WPBFC President John Jolley. The Rybovich Endow- ment was established to provide financial security and support for the PBCFF’s many community initiatives like youth fishing programs, marine conservation efforts, game fish research and historic preservation. The endowment was created to not only support existing programs, but also to expand them and launch new programs. “Johnny and Sandy were ‘Big Picture’ people and they recognized the valuable role this endowment could one day play for the Fishing Club’s foundation. We are indebted to them for their vision and support,” added Jolley. Established in 1992, the John Rybovich Endowment has experienced steady growth over the past fifteen years. Only interest and dividend earnings are used to support board approved projects. The endowments growth has enabled the PBCFF to expand its scholarship programs at area universities and high schools, increase funding for local conservation efforts, grow our youth fishing programs and support a wide range of other related community initiatives. Thanks to sound management and the generosity of many Fishing Club members and friends the Rybovich Endowment will continue to provide critical support to PBCFF programs in perpetuity. That’s the ‘Big Picture’ support Johnny Rybovich and Sandy Kaupe had intended. Endowment Tops 1 Million PBCFF Supports Reef Research Team Stocks Donated to Foundation Longtime Fishing Club members John & Linda Jolley and Serena Wilson have donated shares of Proctor & Gamble and Exxon Mobile stock respectively to the Palm Beach County Fishing Foundation’s Rybovich Endowment fund.  This is not the first time they have donated stock.  Over the years, other Fishing Club members have done the same, and for good reason, to increase value and diversify the portfolio.  Rather than selling stock, donors are able to avoid capital gains and can write off the full market value at the time of donation.  It is a win – win for both the donor and the Club’s foundation.  Donors especially benefit when there is a big difference in the cost basis and market value being donated.  If you want to learn more about this method of supporting the Club’s foundation, please consult with your financial advisor and don’t hesitate to contact us at (561) 832-6780.  The PBCFF is grateful to have the confi- dence of such members and so many others who continue to support our youth education and conservation initiatives.  Their support will continue to benefit our community for many decades to come. When Douglas D. Weaving first joined the West Palm Beach Fishing Club (WPBFC) he had no idea that the organization had a charitable affiliate that reached far beyond the bounds of club membership. Like many area residents Doug was a seasonal visitor to the area who later made the stay permanent. Doug was a fly fishing and light tackle fishing enthusiast. So it’s no wonder he found his way to the WPBFC. He was a generous member of the sport fishing community and a WPBFC member for over 17 years who had practiced catch and release fishing throughout the world. Doug’s wife Phyllis remained very supportive of Doug’s fishing endeavors, conservation advo- cacy and interest in aiding youth fishing programs. Doug was a regular at WPBFC inshore meetings and fly tying sessions. He often filled the room with laughter and you rarely saw him without a smile. Over the years he came to realize that the WPBFC was far more than just a fishing club. He became very supportive of the club’s foundation and its youth fishing programs, specifically Kid's Fishing Day and the Rods & Reels for Kids programs. So support- ive in fact, that he made it a point to add a Codicil to Will, leaving a $10,000 contribution from his estate to the Club’s foundation. He was hopeful that other members would take note and follow his lead. As if this was not enough, when Doug’s health began to decline he started donating all his fishing gear to the club’s annual Marine Yard Sale that raises money for the foundation…and Doug had a lot of stuff! Literally truck loads of gear have been donated over the past several years. So it is likely that many WPBFC members have directly benefitted from Doug’s incredible generosity. It’s been over a year ago now since Doug has passed, but his message and legacy remains. Weaving’s Generosity Reflected in Gift The Fishing Club’s charitable foun- dation recently made a $2,000 do- nation to the Palm Beach County Reef Research Team (PBCRRT). The team, comprised of specially trained volunteer divers, col- lects data and monitors natural and artificial reefs in Palm Beach County. The data compliments re- search and monitoring efforts conducted by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The Reef Research Team is filling a valuable role helping us monitor the health of our natural reef systems and giving us a better understanding of how our artificial reefs are performing. We are fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated group of divers sup- plying us with this critical information. Their data reports are excellent,” said WPBFC President Tom Twyford.