TEAM Talk Newsletter

Nancy Morris, Editor December, 2017

TEAM Punta Gorda is an all-volunteer organization committed to making the greater Punta Gorda area a great place to live, work and play. Originally created after the devastation caused by Hurricane Charley in 2004, TEAM volunteers focus on wide variety of projects to enhance our friendly, quaint, historic waterside community. For more of the history of TEAM click here

We're moving upstairs!

Starting the first week of 2018, TEAM

will be relocating to the upstairs room

at Charlotte Community Foundation.

We're asking for volunteers to help

make the transition which should only take

a few hours. Please email Corinne at

[email protected] if you can

lend us a hand.

New Office Administrator a "Lifesaver" to TEAM

When CEO Nancy Johnson walks into TEAM's tiny office in the Charlotte Community Foundation building and sees Corinne Carlson behind the desk, she beams. Corinne is TEAM's new part-time, paid office administrator. She has taken on many of the jobs volunteer Sandy Dressler used to handle as TEAM's COO. Sandy recently stepped down from that role but has remained on the Board of Directors.

For more than 40 years, Corinne worked for medical distribution companies, providing medical supplies to doctors, hospitals and home patients. Later she supervised the distribution of medical products to all branches of our military. "My group was responsible for our bases overseas and also providing supplies to our ships," she says. "Not only was it a position where I could provide customer service and help newer employees learn and grow within the company, it was truly my privilege and honor to ensure our military had whatever supplies they needed and to do my part in support of our troops."

In her TEAM role, Corinne has helped immeasurably to ease the demanding workload Nancy Johnson faces every day. She handles everything from phone calls to email to greeting visitors. She is TEAM's first paid worker, and "she's worth every penny," says Nancy. "She's been a lifesaver." TEAM's activities from community garden projects to bicycling events to painting low-income residents' homes have skyrocketed since its formation following Hurricane Charley in 2004.

Corinne and husband Dave moved to Port Charlotte last year "after many years of snow and cold" in northern Illinois. "It's been quite a change of life for us," she says. "I cannot tell you how much I enjoy being a part of TEAM Punta Gorda and its continued success. It's provided me the opportunity to meet new people and be a working part of our community, a part of this wonderful group of people whose goal is to make our community a better place to live."

Contact Corinne

TEAM helps light up Fishermans Village


	Laurie McDonald, Gina Silvidi-Cairns, Susan Denno and Corinne Carlson

As greeters we welcomed everyone to the celebration and offered candy canes, answered questions and helped guests locate things within the village.

After the lighting we were Santa's assistants, making sure the line was kept orderly and that each little one had a chance to talk to Santa.

It was a fun nite and watching the lighting was beautiful.

Yoga in the Garden

The Yoga Sanctuary held a lovely little yoga class in our community garden. Proceeds benefited the charlotte Community Foundation. The class was led by Jennifer French, owner of the Yoga Sanctuary.

TEAM Mixer Salutes Veterans and First Responders

Eighty three guests enjoyed a picture perfect evening of food and drink during TEAM's November 8th Mixer at Angela's Café Italiano in downtown Punta Gorda. Outreach Chairman Betsy Spagnola was delighted that her committee "came through with flying colors, which goes without saying as 'Salute to Veterans' was the theme."

"We decorated the patio garden in vivid red, white and blue, reports Betsy. "Angela's did a spectacular job with food and service. They even provided music for our enjoyment." Veterans, police, fire and first responders were recognized for their efforts and presented with an American flag.

Guest speakers were Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity CEO Mike Mansfield and Senior Director of Outreach Gabrielle Reineck.

They gave a brief overview of the upcoming (March, 2018) TEAM Builds project. Nine volunteers immediately signed up to help Habitat build a new home for a worthy family in our community.

Twenty five contributing members joined or renewed at the event. Through the generosity of all those attending, suf ficient funds were collected to produce a paver in memory of TEAM volunteer Terri Hoagland. Raffle prizes included donations from Home Depot, Ninos Italian Bakery and Copperfish Books. "Thank you to all who donated and participated to help make this a wonderful evening," says Betsy. "I am so pleased to work with such a great group of ladies. Without them, these events would not be such a success."

The next TEAM Mixer is February, 2018. All are invited to share good food, drinks and community building ideas. This is a great opportunity to learn what TEAM is all about.

**** Save the Date for Pedal and Play ****

March9 & 10, 2018

Visit our Website

Message from TEAM CEO

A Season of Gratitude

After Irma, everyone pulled together for communities less fortunate than us. Cash donations were made, food and clothing was collected and needed household items were distributed. Everyone pitches in after a disaster, but it's important for us all to remember that there are those in our community who need a helping hand at other times as well. In towns hit hard, more than homes were destroyed. Places of business were hit as well. This meant that many people could not work, creating further financial hardship on those with marginal incomes. It's easy to help. Donate directly to the Charlotte Community Foundation's Charlotte Cares initiative. They distribute funds to individuals and families with an urgent, one-time need or can target your funds to a helping non-profit in the community. Go to [email protected] to learn more.

Another great way to help is to support the Harry Chapin Food Bank. They have an amazing network of sources at both ends of the food process, source and need. When you give to them you help them with the enormous transportation costs associated with getting food to where it is needed most. Contact them at www.harrychapinfoodbank.org

You can also give the gift of service. The United Way of Charlotte County will help match you with the many organizations needing volunteers, or provide you with another way to donate. www.unitedwayccfl.org.

This past week, as part of this year's Giving Thanks, Punta Gorda's Yoga Sanctuary held an outdoor yoga class in TEAM Punta Gorda's Community Garden, located in the History Park. Proceeds benefited the Charlotte Community Foundation. As I lay on my mat under a beautiful tree, waiting for class to begin, I reflected on all the things that make me feel grateful to live where we do. As I thought about this concept of community I realized that our organizations are different parts of the same whole. These great organizations provide help where it is most needed. Our volunteers at TEAM Punta Gorda work year-round to improve the quality of life.

Volunteerism is a way of life in Punta Gorda. This is a town that has learned to pull together. If you want to work with others who care, we'll be glad to put you to work building gardens, helping to preserve the harbor or supporting a long list of community projects.

Put TEAM's Annual Community Meeting on your calendar for January 30th at the PGICA Community Center on Shreve Street. This year's topic is The Changing Face of Punta Gorda. We'll examine what it means to sustain and build a community. We'll also look at some of the issues facing our future.

Founders Day Week Event - week of 12/1/2017

Alive After Five - 12/21/2017

Annual Community Meeting - 1/30/2018

Paint Your Heart Out - 2/3/2018

TEAM Mixer - 2/20/2018

Pedal and Play in Paradise - 3/9 and 3/10/2018

Build Punta Gorda - Mid-March through April, 2018

Golf Tournament - 3/24/2018

Giving Challenge - 24 hours starting at noon on 5/1/2018

Shop for everyone on your gift list this holiday at smile.amazon.com/ch/20-2375899 and Amazon donates to Team Punta Gorda Inc.

Parting Shot

TEAM Punta Gorda | 941-637-8326 | [email protected] | http://www.teampuntagorda.org