When Pat and her husband Mark, last’s years Citizen of the Year, decided to retire to Ponce Inlet in 2014 they made a decision that while they were retiring from their careers in Pennsylvania, they wanted to become and stay active as volunteers in their new hometown of Ponce Inlet.

Upon permanently moving to Ponce Inlet in 2015, Pat joined the Ponce Inlet Lions Club where, over the years, she became a Director and served as Board Secretary for the Club from 2019 through 2021. While no longer on the Board of Directors, Pat continues to serve with the Lions Club and for the last three years has worked, along with her husband Mark, organizing and running the Lions Club Annual Fundraising Golf Tournament. This event is the Lions Club largest fundraiser of the year and last year this event raised over $12,000. Pat, again working alongside her husband and on behalf of the Lions, is also responsible for the Food Pantry at RJ Longstreet School, which provides assistance for children and families struggling with food insecurities. Prior to Covid, Pat also served as a teacher’s assistant for 1st grade students from Longstreet School.

Pat previously volunteered at the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse as a Lighthouse Guide for two years prior to Covid. In doing so, Pat enjoyed meeting out-of-town visitors, school children and residents of our community, all while learning about the History of the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse. Pat especially enjoyed her tours with the school children and volunteering for the Climb to the Moon events at the Lighthouse.

Pat currently serves on the Ponce Inlet Community Center Board of Trustees and has done so since 2019. She is an active participant on the PICC Board and enjoys working on the various fundraising events, including the Community Center’s Flea Market, Soup and Salad, and Frank Sinatra and Irish Night Parties. Pat has also worked with the other volunteer Board members while working on improvements that have been made to the improve the appearance of the Center. Pat also works as a volunteer in the Community Center Office.

In 2019 Pat joined the Garden Club of Ponce Inlet and in 2020 began serving on its Board of Directors. Her first Director position with the Garden Club was as its 1st Vice President. But in November 2021 Pat took over as President of the Club when the previous President had to resign due to personal reasons. Pat is passionate about being a member of the Garden Club and serving as its President and has just recently been elected to serve as President through 2025. For the past 3 years Pat has also served as Co-Chair for the Garden’s Club Annual Arts, Crafts and Plant Show held every October. This particular show, for those of you who don’t know, has been a fixture in our community for 40 years now. Pat helps organize and run its Annual Ice Cream Social which is a fun event for residents of our community and participates with the Club in Ponce Inlet Christmas Parade and Ponce Preserves the Plant. Pat clearly enjoys meeting and working with the members of the Garden Club and looks forward to serving once again as their President.

Most recently, Pat volunteered to become a Director with CFPi. In this new position, one of Pat’s primary roles will be Oversite of C4PI’s Website. Pat looks forward to serving with the CFPI Board and continuing volunteering and serving our community in any way she can.