ASL Friends: The Little Engine That Could—With Your Help

As ASL Friends plans programming on Marco Island for the 2026–27 season, you can be part of the journey by registering for the third annual ASL Fore ALL Charity Golf Event on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Hammock Bay Golf & Country Club in Naples, FL. ASL Friends Grateful for Support Nussbaum also took a moment to recognize the business owners and leaders whose efforts have helped to make the 2026 ASL Fore ALL Golf Charity Event possible. “Eric Phillips of Marco Room Service and John Gross of All-in-One Tree Care took the initiative to help us get the word out,” she said, noting that both men are members of the Marco Island Senior Softball League. In addition, she gave special thanks to ASL Fore ALL Title Sponsor, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, led by David Pappas CIMA®. Free ASL Programs Bring the Community Together Thanks to the generous support of United Church of Marco Island (UCMI) and Bargain Basket, ASL Friends offers FREE Religious Sign Language Workshops on the last Sunday of each month. Join ASL Friends to explore scripture and song in American Sign Language (ASL). Upcoming dates are September 27, October 25, November 22, and December 27, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Sawyer Room at UCMI. No experience is needed; age seven-years and up is recommended. In January 2027, ASL Friends will continue their Community ASL Classes at no charge, with Levels I & II available thanks to a grant from the Knights of Columbus San Marco Catholic Church. “I am so proud of our students and look forward to signing with you again,” Nussbaum said. She added, “If you have always been curious about sign language, that may be your brain’s nudge! Take a chance and join us! “As Dr. Paul Nussbaum teaches, ASL is health promoting for ALL brains! Watch our Facebook page for registration details.” From January through April 2027, join Sand Dollar Yoga Saturday mornings at 8 a.m. near the shoreline north of Residents Beach and for Sunday Sunsets, weather permitting. Details will be available on the Kimberly@Sea Facebook Group. Freewill offerings benefit ASL Friends. The Little Engine is Almost There! ASL Friends is deeply grateful to our volunteers, donors/sponsors, board members, colleagues, friends, FAMILY—and to Fred Rogers Productions for permission to use Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood content and to the Deaf community for the gift of ASL. Because of YOU, ASL Friends is nearing the peak of our seven-year, $100,000 fundraising goal to produce five episodes of a Special Edition of Mister Rogers’ ASL Friends videos for young deaf children and their families. And new for 2026, ASL Fore ALL will be the presence of Deaf, award-winning producer/director James DeBee and his wife, Joanne, who are flying in from Albuquerque, New Mexico to golf with friends and be part of the festivities. Help us push the Little Engine to the TOP and pass the baton to James to begin production!