Nonprofits are bringing “Profits” to Orange Beach!  Our community is blessed with many non-profit organizations that fill our calendars with wonderful events and give us opportunities to advertise our businesses.

But please NOTE these organizations are not producing these events for something to do, but are a force in the well-being of our economy as well as our quality of life.  Meetings are held weekly to discuss diversifying our economy with businesses that compliment Tourism.  

Tourism with a capital “T” keeps our economy moving, which in turn provides us islanders a quality of life compared to that of Kings and Queens.

Nonprofits continuously produce well-run events that provide tourists activities beyond our lovely beaches.   Then these great non-profit organizations spend their money enhancing the quality of life for all. The community is still reeling from the success of two back to back Festivals with the Annual Seafood Festival and Orange Beach Festival of Art where locals and tourists enjoyed food, art, music, performances and environment.

These festivals highlight sports and arts that are so important to our quality of life.  Both stroke our economic engine in many ways: advertising Orange Beach throughout the Southeastern United States, the production itself spending money locally to turn dollars over in our community, providing a fund raiser to organizations like Orange Beach Sports Association, Orange Beach Elementary PTO and Friends of the Arts, providing a venue for businesses such as Shipp’s Harbour Grill, Cosmos, Cobalt, Compleat Angler, Flippers, and Baumhower’s. And providing area businesses opportunities to advertise such as Turquoise and South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.

Many non-profits are preparing for their upcoming events so get involved, be a part of stroking our economy with your time by volunteering.  Realize that without a community of non-profits and their forces of volunteers you could not live in paradise.

Several new events are leveraging events for us.  Bulls on the Beach at

The Wharf is a great family-oriented fun and professional event which is great for tourism but also is being featured in a National Geographic realty show which will once again put Orange Beach in the spotlight for a place to visit.  Purchase your tickets TODAY!

Orange Beach PTO is looking for sponsors for their upcoming spring fundraiser, Casino Night, May 3 at the Orange Beach Event Center.  This organization enhances our children’s education by purchasing items from copy machines to playground landscaping.

By the way, the new trees on the playground at the Elementary School are a wonderful addition to our community for generations to come.  

“Art for Heart” is scheduled for April 13 and tickets will sell out!  Thanks to Chairs Jennifer & John Blanchard of Gulf Chrysler Dodge Jeep and hosts Melanie & Mike Martin of M II’s and Melanie’s for the energy they have put into this awesome event for the American Heart Association.

April 5 at a semi-formal event at the Perdido Beach Resort, Andy Andrews will be the featured speaker as money is raised for Youth Reach.

“LA Clay” exhibit opens March 22 with a reception at 5 p.m. for potters Abby Leach and Charles Smith at the Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach on Canal Road.  This will be a great time to join the Friends of the Arts.

LA Gumbo Fest at The Wharf is April 11-13 with the world’s largest pot of Gumbo.  Spread the word it’s Gumbo Time in Orange Beach. 

Yolanda Johnson’s column on life in Orange Beach appears in The Islander twice a month.