Christmas in July…for the kids
July 17, 2023
The upcoming school year is fast approaching, and the year-round schools have already started. There is much needed for our youth in the Charlotte County Public Schools to ensure they have the necessary tools to maximize their experience. We have two incredible initiatives now available to assist the children of our community.
We are very excited to collaborate with the Charlotte County Toys for Tots organization for the Backpack for Kids drive. The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce will be a collection location that will support the children of Charlotte County Public Schools that will need back-to-school supplies.
Backpack for Kids drive will make a phenomenal impact within our community for the children that will be provided with the necessary school supplies that they might not have otherwise. Here are the following items that would be greatly appreciated: Back packs, pen/pencil pouches, colored pencils, reams of copy paper, 24-pack crayons, index cards, pens (blue, black, red), children’s headphones (no ear buds), washable markers, gallon zip loc bags, erasers, highlighters, composition notebooks, hand sanitizer, pocket folder with prongs, disinfectant wipes, small binders, post-it-notes, glue sticks, boxes of tissue, dry erase markers, pencils, and cash donations to purchase items.
School supplies can be dropped off at the Charlotte County Chamber office at 2702 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte. The Backpack for Kids drive will run from now through Friday, Aug. 4.
Sunrise Kiwanis Shoes for Kids Project - The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce will once again be a collection site for the Shoes for Kids Project. The Kiwanis Shoes for Kids Project collects new athletic shoes for children (pre-K through High School) in the Charlotte County Public School System. The need for the 2023-2024 school year is 4,100 pairs of new sneakers.
Please consider helping in this much-needed community project. For more information about the project or to make a monetary donation, visit www.pcsunrisekiwanis.org or call 941-336-2411. The Charlotte County Chamber is located at 2702 Tamiami Trial, Port Charlotte for shoe drop-off. The Shoes for Kids Project will run from now through July 20.
Lunch & Learn (member event): Noon–1 p.m., Tuesday, July 18 at the Charlotte County Chamber office, 2702 Tamiami Trail, PC. Topic: E-Verify Compliance Training for Small Business Employers. Speaker: Christina Faro-Pilliteri, Charlotte County Society of Human Resource Management. Learn the rules and responsibilities associated with the new E-Verify requirement, practical methods for streamlining your hiring process and how to avoid common pitfalls and legal risks. This comprehensive session is designed to provide you with the tools and information required to successfully obtain and maintain compliance and protect your business from legal risks. Registration/lunch selection required. To RSVP, visit charlottecountychamber.org. $10pp.
Third Wednesday Coffee (member event): 8–9 a.m., Wednesday, July 19, Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda. Quarterly New Member Showcase: This is a productive and effective opportunity to meet our new members, get familiar with their products and services, and build those strong business connections. It is requested for each attendee to bring one pair of new sneakers for the Sunrise Kiwanis Shoes for Kids Project. Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charltotecountychamber.org.
Business Card Exchange (member event): 5–7 p.m., Thursday, July 27 at Neal Communities (Kings Gate), 1622 Royal Court, Port Charlotte. Bring a gift to promote your business and bring plenty of business cards. Registration is requested to make proper arrangements. To RSVP, visit charlottecountychamber.org.
Ribbon Cuttings
For all ribbon-cuttings, please go to charlottecountychamber.org and review the Events Calendar to register.
Bob White is executive director of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce.