COMMUNITY IN THE KNOW – Charlotte County Florida Weekly
Family event to benefit Imagination Library
HorsePower for Healing and Gilstad Literacy Foundation are collaborating on “Horses, Kids & Books — Oh My!”, an event for families to benefit Charlotte County Imagination Library on Feb. 11. Lizzie the Literacy Bus will be on site so the kids can go home with a free book, and preschool age children living in Charlotte and Lee counties can register for the Imagination Library program.
Initially envisioned as a fundraiser in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian and ongoing inflation, the event invites families to come and enjoy the day with games, horse activities, storytelling, face painting, hayrides and other fun. Admission is $5 per person, with children 5 and under free. Everyone will be asked to sign a release form upon arrival, and closed-toe shoes are required, as the events are in the horse pasture.
The event will be held from 10 am- 2 pm Saturday, Feb. 11, at 6210 George Road, Punta Gorda. (The venue is off Bermont Road; attendees should look for balloons and/or signs as currently the street sign at Bermont and George Roads has not been replaced since the storm.)m.)
Food trucks will be on site so food and beverages can be purchased. Parking will be facilitated by the Charlotte High School NJROTC cadets. Organizations that provide services to families or children may be present to provide information and answer questions.
Sponsorships are still available to help offset the costs of the program, security and sanitation. If you are interested in a sponsorship, contact Gilstad Literacy Foundation Executive Director Chris Zimmer at [email protected].
Valentine’s luncheon, fashion show set at military museum
The Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, will celebrate Valentine’s Day on Monday, Feb. 13, with a Sweetheart Luncheon and Fashion Show at the museum. The luncheon will begin at noon, followed by the fashion show at 1 pm in the Gulf Theater.
The museum will be sharing preserved, handwritten letters on the “Letters from Home” wall. These letters remind us of those who spent Valentine’s Day overseas while fighting wars in service to our country. Many depict the heartache of those who were away from those they love on this special day.
The cost of luncheon and fashion show is $35, with VIP seating at $45. Tickets must be purchased together if you wish to sit together. Fashions are by Anthony’s Ladies Apparel and are modeled by the Calendar Girls. There will be a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. You must be registered by Thursday, Feb. 9, to attend. Register at https://militaryheritagemuseum.org/upcomingevents.
Contact Lucy Linet for sponsorship opportunities at 941-205-8546 or email [email protected]. The Sweetheart Luncheon and Fashion Show is sponsored by the following: Anthony’s; Punta Gorgeous, Denise Henry, Broker Associate, Remax Anchor Realty; Whit-Co Insurance, Alexia Martin Agency; and Quality Treasures. Proceeds benefit the Military Heritage Museum.
For more information, see www.militaryheritagemuseum. org or call 941-575-9002.
SHIP funds available for affordable rental rehab
The Charlotte County Human Services Housing Division has announced the availability of State Housing Initiative Partnership funds for the rehabilitation of qualified affordable rental housing units impacted by Hurricane Ian. Funding is available for nonprofit, special need, and other rental housing providers with units reserved for income eligible tenants. Funding is limited.
For information, access the request for application and instructions on how to apply at www.charlottecountyfl.gov/boards-committees/affordable-housing advisory-committee.
For storm-related information, call the Charlotte County Call Center from 8 am-5 pm Monday-Friday at 941-833-4000 or 941-743-1320.
Local Chicken Salad Chick sets fundraising record
The Port Charlotte location of Chicken Salad Chick — a fast-casual, Southern-inspired chicken salad restaurant — has raised $4,134 for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida at its “Family & Friends” events on Jan. 6-7, setting a new fundraising record for the franchise’s 220 restaurants across 17 states.
Chicken Salad Chick invited families and friends of employees, as well as local first responders and other community members, to sample items from the menu and meet franchise owners Kendal Potesta and Scott Pace. Throughout the complimentary two-day event, guests generously donated to Golisano Children’s Hospital, with 100% of the proceeds going to Golisano.
“After breaking the record for this event last year in Fort Myers, we were absolutely thrilled to see Port Charlotte blow it out of the water by raising even more for Golisano Children’s Hospital,” said Ms. Potesta. “We are so blessed to be in such a great community working where people are willing to give generously to ensure that life-changing programs and services are available for local children diagnosed with cancer.”
During its grand opening on Jan. 10, Chicken Salad Chick presented the $4,134 check to Barbara’s Friends of Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Barbara’s Friends, the childhood cancer fund for Golisano Children’s Hospital, helps provide for the needs of patients and families including, medical equipment, facilities, staffing and family assistance.
“We are immensely grateful for the support of Chicken Salad Chick and the Port Charlotte community for their generous contribution to support the brave children in our care,” said Amy Frith, senior director of Barbara’s Friends. “Together, we are working to make a difference in the lives of children and their families li facing a cancer diagnosis at Golisano. This donation will help us continue to provide the resources and support needed to make a positive impact in the fight against childhood cancer.”
Located at 1799 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, the new restaurant is the third of six locations Ms. Potesta and Mr. Pace plan to open in Southwest Florida.
For more information, see www.Facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickPortCharlotteFL. ¦