As President of the Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation I am baised of course, however, I can testify that it is a all volunteer organization at this point. My board has made tough choices to grow this group. As time goes on more and more people are helping us. To save and restore not one but six offshore lighthouses that sit in the Atlantic Ocean is a challenge, however, other groups have met similar challenges and succeeded.
I can be reached at ericlighthouse@yahoo.com or leave a message at 407-658-0046 and let me know a good time to call you back. I do work full time (to pay bills), however, I will try to get back to you in 24 hours or less. This is my second job, but the most important to me.
You can also go to www.reeflights.org for more information and to see the meetings and events.
There is nothing finer than being on the water off the Florida Keys! The waters are striped with sky blue, light green and torquise colors on a vast horizon dotted with small islands. If you look closely you can make out a series of off shore lighthouse we call Reef Lights that have been important landmarks for commerical vessels for well over a hundred years. I have been lucky to visit most of these iron screw pile lighthouses perched majestically against the solid blue sky off Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, Sugarloaf Key, Key West and Rebecca Shoals. George Meade, famous Union General designed many of the screw pile lights that grace the waters off the hundreds of small island called "Keys" stretching from mainland Florida to the Dry Tortugas sixty-five miles west of one of the loveliest and fun cities in the nation- Key West. Visitors can also enjoy the land based lighthouses that can be found in Key West and at Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas. Visiting our lighthouses is a great way to learn about American History and architecture- its also a great way to spend a day on the most beautiful waters in the United States.
Review from Guidestar
The Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation is an all volunteer group with which I am familiar, as the Executive Director of a non-profit Lighthouse elsewhere in the State of Florida. I am very impressed with the dedication and passion of this group that expends its money directly and almost exclusively on it's mission.
I have watched the group go through changes in leadership over the years, and yet stay dedicated to programs and community service. They display a true desire to preserve and save the Florida Key's Reef Lights. These lights are nationally signficant, yet little is known about them. I have been and will be again, a donor to the Florida Keys Reef Lights Foundation. I believe in their organization and it's ability to grow and partner with others to help save the Reef Lights.
I have seen this organization use the money I have provided for the ways they said it would be used. Their administrative ablity is sound and they operate with strong professional ethics.
Review from Guidestar