District Convention 2026 – April 24-26 at the Orlando Marriott in Lake Mary. Deadline to register is April 2nd, however, it is wise to register early and secure a room at the hotel. This is a great way to learn about Pilot and meet members from all over the state of Florida. Friday evening it is suggested that we wear something to help celebrate our country’s 250th birthday. As always, our club will have a table at Marketplace for our fundraiser. There will be business sessions, voting on issues and proposed Amendments, budget and officers to serve District and Scholarship House Boards. The Friendship Luncheon is Saturday with the Installation of Elected Officers Banquet in the evening. If you have never attended a District Convention, this is the one you may wish to consider. If you have any questions, bring them to the meeting on Thursday or let us know.

Shoe Drive is one of the most important events our club has taken on since the 5K Run. This fundraiser is an ALL HANDS ON DECK project. . ..Every member is asked to participate and contribute. We are not asking for money or our members to ask for merchandise from stores, etc. All it takes is for us to gather gently worn or new shoes that are no longer needed from anyone in your family or neighborhood, etc. Kid’s out grow shoes before they are worn out, women buy shoes only to find they hurt to wear them. Men have some shoes they have not enjoyed wearing for years. The shoes we gather will be banded in pairs and bagged 25 pair per bag. If we have enough bags of shoes, the company we are working with us will pick them up with their truck and send us a check for the shoes by the pound. They will ship them to countries in need of shoes. The bottom line is the shoes have a purpose and will prevent them from going to the “land fill”. This is another opportunity for the community to see that The Pilot Club is an active club making a difference.

Pilot International Founders Fund (PIFF) has grants for all Pilot Clubs to apply for. December 15th is the deadline for the 2nd quarter Grant Applications: PI Pick Me Up and Helmet & Brain Minders project applications qualify for funding . The Pilot International website PilotInternational.org has all the information needed to apply.

5K Run is the next fundraising project on our 2026 calendar. Each member of the club will be asked to do something. We will have a meeting to coordinate the plan and you can select what you would like to do. This is going to be a lot of fun. You don’t need to put on your running shoes, but you will be ready to make this the Signature Fundraiser of the Year! Think about the businesses that you would like to visit and invite to be a sponsor featured on the shirts. Every member will receive a packet on the event to help them promote it. Get Ready