Non Profit Corner
Why wait? Give your employees the gift of a better lifestyle today! Gulfcoast South AHEC is now offering $25 gift cards* to Group Quit participants who attend in-person or virtual sessions. FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges are also available at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today. *while supplies last
Registration is now open for Charlotte County Government Academy—this free one-day course is scheduled for Wednesday, March 19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Centennial Park Recreation Center, 1120 Centennial Blvd. in Port Charlotte. Government Academy provides opportunities to learn about the departments, programs and services under the Board of County Commissioners. Register online at CharlotteCountyFL.gov/Academy or by phone 941-623-1092. Space is limited; deadline is Feb. 28 or when full.
The 17th annual Taste of Punta Gorda will be held on Sunday, March 2nd from 11am to 5pm at Laishley Park, Punta Gorda. Charlotte County's best restaurants will provide from the menus of delicious food. Over 60 arts and crafts, dessert and specialty food, and nonprofit vendors will fill Laishley Park. Great Kid's Zone, Marker 5 Band and Deb and the Dynamics band. Tickets are $10 for general admission, with kids under 12 free. All proceeds support the giving program of the Punta Gorda Rotary Club Foundation and local charities. Bring $1's and $5's for food, you camp chair and sit and enjoy the music! https://tasteofpuntagorda.org/
Charlotte Players- James Taylor "Steamroller" Tribute show February 24th. Sam Hyman’s “Steamroller” show is a masterful tribute to the music of James Taylor. The show features captivating performances of Taylor’s favorites with singalongs, and an engaging look at the stories behind the creation of these timeless, and classic additions to the American Songbook. Sam’s uncanny resemblance to James, and his astonishing capture of Taylor’s vocal and guitar styles leaves audiences feeling like they have just seen and heard the legend himself and applauding for more! Located at The Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center in Punta Gorda. For tickets or more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.
CCF SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR CHARLOTTE COUNTY: The 2025 Scholarship season is open through February 28th at Charlotte Community Foundation (CCF) with opportunities available for working adults to traditional age students and from certificate/trade programs through graduate programs for local residents. One new on-line application ([charlottecf.org/scholarships/]charlottecf.org/scholarships/) covers all the awards available for current or future students, from $500 to $5,000.
The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau in partnership with the Charlotte Chapter of the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association will once again host the Tourism Awards at their Annual Tourism Celebration on May 9th. The Tourism Awards recognize hospitality industry employees who have been instrumental in shaping the experience of those visiting our piece of paradise. We invite all Charlotte County hospitality business owners, managers, and leaders to nominate their top employees. Submissions are being accepted through April 18th by filling out the form found HERE.
C.A.R.E. ReUse Stores extend a warm invitation for your household item donations, serving as a vital support system for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violent crimes. Drop off your contributions at our convenient Port Charlotte location. Your generosity not only supports C.A.R.E.'s crucial initiatives, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives with dignity and resilience, but also combats landfill overages. Join us in making a profound impact—donate today and help transform unwanted items into tangible assistance for those who need it most. https://carefl.org/donate/reuse-store/
Greetings local Charlotte County businesses! Charlotte High School’s Project Graduation is seeking your support. Our goal is to keep students safe by providing a FREE all-night graduation party with entertainment, food, and great prizes for all who attend. We are a federally recognized 501(c)(3). Please consider making this memorable event fabulous for our seniors through a monetary or prize donation. Visit www.tarponprojectgrad.com for our donation form or contact Brian or Noelle Olby at 941-380-3920. Thank you for your support!
Florida Gulf Coast University is asking businesses to complete the Charlotte County Business Climate Survey. Your input is extremely helpful for measuring the quarterly Business Climate Index for Charlotte County. Thank you so much for taking the time to complete the survey. The survey normally takes less than five minutes to complete, and all responses will be kept confidential. Questions Amir Ferreira reri@fgcu.edu Take the Survey
The Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor and Convention Bureau is now accepting applications for the 2025 Event Development Program (EDP). The EDP provides reimbursable funding to assist in the development of new events, occurring in low or shoulder seasons which promote Charlotte County as a tourist destination. The application is available online here. Applicants should note that a presentation to the Tourist Development Council is required to be considered for funding. Applications are due no later than February 22 by emailing Mrs. Brynja Phipps at Brynja.Phipps@PureFlorida.com.
We need to fill all the walls with your beautiful artwork, both 2D and 3D. Of course, there will be a few rules, which you can read about in the prospectus. Entry is open, and we would like you to bring in your best work. We are going to have a judge for both 2D and 3D work, but the show WILL NOT be juried, meaning no photographs necessary to email to VAC, and everyone will be accepted, as long as you follow the guidelines set in the prospectus and enter online. There is limited space however, so we are accepting on a first come first serve basis and once we are full, we will close entry. There are going to be lots of cash prizes, so we hope you will make AnythingGoes (almost) a big success.
February 1 to February 28, 2025, Sea Grape Gallery will be featuring one of its artists, Donna Pape, an oil painter. Donna Pape has had an interest in oil painting ever since she was in high school. She then followed her desire to paint by studying at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts and the Art Institute of Chicago. Since moving to Florida, Donna has found a special inspiration in the beauty of nature, which is evident in many of her colorful paintings. https://seagrapegallery.com 113 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 941-575-1718
Parrot Outreach Society wants to hold your hand. Did you know that in January 1964, " I Want to Hold Your Hand" by the Beatles was the first Beatles song to hit Number 1 in the US? Their music still holds true today. Come with us back to the 60s to enjoy their music. The band "BeatleBeat" will perform two live shows on March 8 at the Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Avenue, Punta Gorda. The 3:00 pm show will feature Beatles hits plus song from the album “A Hard Day’s Night”. The 7:00 pm show will feature Beatles hits plus songs from the album “Help”. Tickets are $45.00 per person. To purchase your ticket, go to https://militaryheritagemuseum.org, click on Gulf Theater and scroll down to either show on March 8.
Charlotte Players Drinking Habits Feb 6-28. Accusations, mistaken identities, and romances run wild in this, laugh-out-loud farce. Two nuns at the Sisters of Perpetual Sewing have been secretly making wine to keep the convent open, but Paul and Sally, reporters and former fiancées, are hot on their trail. They go undercover as a nun and priest, but their presence spurs paranoia throughout the convent that spies have been sent from Rome to shut them down. Wine and secrets are spilled as everyone tries to preserve the convent and reconnect with lost loves. For tickets and more information go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.
Job Fair at Port Charlotte High School. We have 60 slots available for local businesses to promote their business and career opportunities to over 800 Juniors and Seniors. Inspire the Next Generation! Join Pirate Business at a Job Fair for Port Charlotte High Juniors & Seniors. Connect with tomorrow's workforce. Showcase career opportunities and the importance of higher education and local business on Thursday, March 13, 2025 10:00am - 1:30pm at Port Charlotte High School - 18200 Cochran Blvd, Port Charlotte. Space is limited. Click here to reserve your booth today!
The Second Annual Patriots Gala will take place on March 29, 2025, at Sunseeker Resort with keynote speaker and Medal of Honor, Master Sergeant Leroy A. Petry. The patriotic-themed evening is at 6p.m. with delightful hors d’oeuvres, plated dinner, and complimentary cocktails with live music. The evening includes awards for Gary Butler, Patti Allen-Fishermen’s Village, Jeff Sherwin, and the first Wall of Warrior Honoree Coast Guard Veteran, Commissioner Stephen R. Deutch. Funds raised provide financial support for the Museum’s programs and student activities. To secure your reservation or to sponsor the Gala visit https://militaryheritagemuseum.org/patriots-gala or contact Tina Figliuolo at 941-205-8546.
On Saturday, March 1st in Port Charlotte at Bayshore Live Oak Park, and Saturday, March 8th in Venice at Maxine Barritt Park and in Arcadia at Morgan Park, our communities will gather to celebrate life and hope. Would you consider partnering with us as a sponsor? Your sponsorship will empower us to continue walking alongside women, families and children in their time of greatest need. To become a sponsor, please visit pregnancysolutions.org .
Rich cultural experiences are coming to the heart of Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach as ZimSculpt, a renowned exhibition of Zimbabwean stone sculptures, returns to Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens. From February 8 through April 20, 2025, the Gardens will host over 2,000 hand-carved stone sculptures. The exhibition, which is only presented in North America once a year, offers a rare opportunity to view and purchase these unique works of art. Two artists will be on-site daily, demonstrating and sharing insights into the stone carving process.