Mission Statement:
The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.
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~ 97th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, October 4, 2021 ~
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2021-2022 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
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Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) |
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~ Chamber Events and Updates ~ |
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Wed., October 20, 7:15 a.m. Third Wednesday Coffee at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix, Non-Profit: Young Life, Tom Parker, Program Speaker: Jared Bickham, Capital Projects Manager, Charlotte County Government Please RSVP here. There is no cost to attend.
Business Card Exchange, Thurs., October 28, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Nix & Associates Real Estate, 2421 Shreve Street, Suite 111 , Punta Gorda. Please bring a small gift to promote your business. Their theme is a Halloween Bash, costumes are encouraged. Please RSVP here. There is no cost to attend.
The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on October 7. Members interested in taking advantage of this new digital monthly format will save the
cost of printing a flier. We prefer a PNG file (at least 600-650 pixels wide, resolution 72PPI if possible and file size no larger than 4MG) for the "digital flyer" ad in the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER, due no later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the First Thursday of the month. Sustaining Partners receive free ads as part of their partnership, or cost per issue is $145.00, and $95.00 for a non-profit. This is an exclusive opportunity for members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. (The chamber reserves the right to deny, publish and edit any submissions.) Email your ad to advertiser@charlottecountychamber.org and include the web address we should link it to, or
call us 941-627-2222 for more information.
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~ Join us for a Ribbon Cutting ~ |
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New Business? New Renovation?
Consider a Ribbon Cutting to promote your business and services.
All members are invited to attend our ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members.
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Perfectly Polished Nail Boutique
121 E. Marion Ave., Unit 111, Punta Gorda
Ribbon Cutting on November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
In celebration of their 4 year anniversary.
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~ Remember, you can post your own "Hot Deals" and "Member to Member Deals!" in the MIC (Member Portal). ~ |
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Know of a business who would also benefit from being a Chamber member?
Businesses may join online now on our website or please recommend a business to
Bob White bwhite@charlottecountychamber.org and he will follow up with them!
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Thank you Expo Sponsors:
Print Sponsor - Buffalo Graffix
After Hours Party Sponsor - Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
Passport Sponsor - Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
There are four sponsorship levels which include the exhibitor booth space(s), lots of promotional perks, print and digital advertising, party tickets, and more than ever before.
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Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
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Charlotte Players- Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is the 2nd play of our 21-22 season at The Langdon Playhouse playing from October 8-17. Winner of the Tony Award in 2013 for Best Play. Middle aged siblings Vanya and Sonia share a home in Bucks County, PA where they bicker and complain about the circumstances of their lives. Suddenly their movie-star sister, Masha, swoops in with her new boy toy, Spike. Located at 1182 Market Circle in Port Charlotte. Tickets are $22 and on www.charlotteplayers.org or by calling our Box Office at 941-255-1022.
Join C.A.R.E. on October 14th at noon for a FREE Lunch and Learn about Domestic Violence. Attendees will hear from domestic violence advocates, Charlotte County Sheriff’s office, and legal professions. Help us raise awareness around domestic violence in our local community and reserve your spot today. For more information visit https://carefl.org/ or call 941-639-5499.
The Goodwill MicroEnterprise class helps individuals with a business idea develop a plan for a successful business start-up. Subject matter experts and a team of experienced business coaches work with you as you make your dream into a viable plan. Classes are two nights a week for six weeks and start at 6 pm. The fall class starts on October 11th. This class will be held at the Community Resource Center in the Goodwill Store in the Peachland Promenade. For more details go to: www.goodwillswfl.org/microenterprise
An introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the PGI Civic Association on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda. Topics cover fishing techniques, tackle, rigging, knot tying, lures, baits, cast nets, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations for fresh and salt waters. The class is geared towards beginning anglers, experienced fishermen may pick up helpful tips as well. The instructor is Capt. Ralph Allen. The course is open to all and is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks starting Wednesday October 20, 2021. Cost is $50 advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
United Way of Charlotte County invites you to say, "Thanks!" to many of the non-profit organizations that spend every day caring for Charlotte County on October 21, 2021. This Day of Caring, join us to LIVE UNITED by adopting a project (painting, yard work, cleaning) or collecting wish list items (diapers, wipes, canned food) to support our partners, our neighbors, our community. The event will kick off at the Port Charlotte Town Center parking lot near the old Sears Department Store at 9AM. We will have snacks, games and prizes until 11AM. Click here to sign up today: https://signup.com/go/PmJyKWp
Step It Up for the Tidewell Trot! Thursday, October 21, 2021 at Nathan Benderson Park.
Join the fun and run for a good cause ! Presented by Alltrust Insurance, the 2021 Tidewell Trot 5k/1-mile Run/Walk benefits Tidewell Foundation to help Tidewell Hospice provide charity care, grief support services, specialized veterans care, music therapy, telehealth and more. Register today at TidewellFoundation.org. Multiply the fun by creating a team with your friends, family, neighborhood or work group!
Seven Jazz Concerts (Oct - April) at the Cultural Center Theater, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952, the first on October 11 at 7pm La Lucha with Ona Kirei & James Suggs. Seven Jam Sessions (Oct - April) at the American Legion Post 110, 3152 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte. Fourth Sunday 1-4pm. Membership in the Charlotte County Jazz Society assists with a College Scholarship program for local high school students. For more information contact the Charlotte County Jazz Society Hotline: 941-766-9422 or visit www.ccjazz.org
Valerie’s House is a nonprofit organization that helps grieving children & families who have lost a loved one in Charlotte, Sarasota, Lee, & Collier County. Please contact Christine Carey to find out ways to volunteer, mentor, refer families, fundraising opportunities, go on tours, & donate to our Valerie’s House families (christine@valerieshouse.org, 239-841-0382, www.valerieshouse.org) A Night of Swing event is coming up! Suncoast Swing Band with Zarita Mattox benefitting Valerie’s House & Dream Chasers & Dream Makers Girls Mentoring Program. This event will be 10/16/21 @ 6pm. Purchase tickets at www.militaryheritagemuseum.org
The Tidewell Foundation 2021 Tidewell Trot 5K and 1-mile Run/Walk will take place on Thursday, Oct. 21 at Nathan Benderson Park. The event begins with a vendor fair at 5:00 pm followed by the 5K race at 6:00 and the 1-mile run/walk at 6:15pm.
More than 800 local runners and walkers are expected to participate in the 2021 Tidewell Trot. Proceeds will benefit the Tidewell Foundation in its grants to Tidewell Hospice for charity care, grief support services, specialized veterans care, music therapy, telehealth and more for more than 10,000 people in our region annually—all at no cost to them. Sponsors gain exposure from advertisement and promotion of the event, in addition to the more than 800 participants in attendance. To learn more, call (941) 552-7546, email events@tidewellfoundation.org or visit tidewellfoundation.org.
Incoming on Fri, OCT 8, 6-10 pm, it’s a M*A*S*H Party & FUNdraiser!! – The Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic hosts its Annual Appeal Kick-off Party with Special guest “Pvt. Igor Straminsky” (TV series Chef) Jeff Maxwell * Emcee Stacey Deffenbaugh * Come dressed in your best M*A*S*H attire for PRIZES!! Games * Food * Cash Bar * Holy Trinity Banquet Hall (Port Charlotte). $75 /pp. RSVP by Sept. 30, 2021. Tickets online https://volunteercare.org/mash OR Call/Email Karen: 941-276-4075 – kamador@volunteercare.org
The Homeless Coalition is excited to announce that the “Driving out Hunger” Fall Golf Scramble on Saturday, November 6, 2021, at the Riverwood Golf Club in Port Charlotte. This is a four-person scramble and flighted for men, women, and mixed teams. In addition to the 18 holes of golf with cart, there will be contests with prizes, raffles, and drink tickets for all players, continental breakfast and barbecue lunch. Registration must include payment before the event to ensure your reservation. Register by October 20, 2021 contact Jenifer.welch@cchomelesscoalition.org click here for more information.
Vendor space is available at the annual “Art and Craft Fair,” Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street, Punta Gorda, to be held on Saturday, November 6, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The nominal vendor fee for this community event is $35 and each vendor will be provided with a six-foot table and two chairs. This is your opportunity to show and sell your wares to hundreds of guests. For more information, please visit PGICA Art and Craft Fair or call 941-637-1655.
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A study by Leadership IQ found that 46% of new hires were either fired or disciplined within their first 18 months on the job. And, in a staggering 89% of those cases, the reason for the termination or disciplinary action was not incompetence. It was attitude - - - most often in the form of poor motivation, bad temperament, or personality or emotional issues. Thorough applicant vetting in the hiring process is a must! For FCRA-compliant employment and tenancy screening, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. 941-488-8500; 800-531-6522; nrginfo@atlantic.net
RHINO’S GYM works with Veterans daily to help increase their quality of life through mental health and physical fitness. Through our VETSTRONG program, Veterans receive 4 FREE mental health counseling sessions and 4 FREE personal training sessions. We also work with The Long Walk Home foundation to help Veterans get a FREE 24-hour membership to our gym. Our goals are to help you stay active and improve your life in the best ways we know how. Interested? Contact us at 910+635-3903 or check out our website www.rhinosgymfl.com
We are looking for sponsors for the Harbor Corvettes show at Port Charlotte Town Center Mall on December 11, 2021. This is a charity show with donations going to several of our chamber members - Charlotte Technical College, Crossroads Hope Academy, & The Boys & Girls Club. The sponsor form can be found at https://rem.ax/HarborCorvettesSponsor. The registration form can be found at https://rem.ax/HarborCorvettesRegistration. Write Tammy Hayes as the club member name on sponsor form or email me at tammyhayesre@gmail.com. Thank you for your support.
Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage has the crew, the equipment, and storage space to support a new commercial retail move-in relocation. They can disassemble and set up display cases, and if new inventory is arriving, they can hold it until all contents and fixtures are ready to be set up. Moves like these need a truly professional, organized approach and an experienced crew to get your store open and operating as normal. Call Kenny Gardiner at 941-423-5311.
Do you want happier and healthier employees? Learn how Gulfcoast South AHEC can offer FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges 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.
Toby Lynn helps families buy, build, and refinance their home. Conventional, FHA/VA, Primary Residence, Second Homes, Investment Properties, or Construction Loans. Toby Lynn works to get the financing your best buddy needs. Pre-Qualification is FREE! Specializing in Happy, Smooth, and On-Time Closings! CALL TODAY! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
Fall is coming and Cutco Closing Gifts is here to help you wrap up 2021 with a bow. Show your clients and employees how much their business meant to you this year with a gift they will use every day and see every day. Remember, it’s 5x more expensive to generate new clients than it is to get repeat business and introductions from your current ones. Our gifts are comparable to what you’re already spending on gift cards or baskets. Let us help you plan it!
Email Cara Gomes cara@360businessgrowth.com
The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, offers a wide variety of community classes and events … and the calendar is filling up. Classes are open to the public and include dance, exercise, finance, painting, card making, foreign films, writing, fishing, mah-jongg, technology, history and more. For more information or to register, please visit PGICA Educational Opportunities or call 941-637-1655.
LADIES! In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness, Radiology Regional is offering uninsured patients the special self-pay rate of $99 for their 3D screening mammogram! This special rate will be valid for appointments scheduled from now until Nov 30, 2021. We have same day appointments available, Fellowship Trained Breast Imaging Radiologists, and excellent staff! Radiology Regional will retrieve prior images from outside Radiology facilities. No prescription needed as long as patients have an established health care provider. Call 941-255-7945 to schedule. 18300 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte.
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“Don’t count the days, make the days count.” — Muhammad Ali, American Professional Boxer |
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We encourage members to shop with other members to keep our community and local economy strong. If you do business with one or more of our renewing members please congratulate them for their Chamber Anniversary. These are members who renewed between August 16, 2021 and September 15, 2021... Take a look! |
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Eric DeYoung, CCIM, former vice president of commercial lending at Charlotte State Bank & Trust and former president of TEAM Punta Gorda, is celebrating his 15th year with the Crews Banking Corp., the holding company that owns Charlotte State Bank & Trust, Crews Bank & Trust, Englewood Bank & Trust, and Wauchula State Bank. Eric became Loan Operations Director for all four banks in October of 2020. He grew up in Charlotte County and graduated cum laude from the University of Florida, majoring in finance. He also has an MBA degree.
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~ Member-to-Member Testimonials ~ |
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Thanks to a member suggestion, we are enthusiastically sharing testimonials from our members about their positive business experiences with other members of the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce. Submit a paragraph of 90 words or less describing your experience. Include your name and business name, and email your Member-to-Member Testimonial to Janet at jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org before noon on Friday to be included the following week. We are proud of our members and this is an excellent way to let them shine even more!
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~ Job Spot ~
Members may post jobs using the MIC (Member Portal) at no cost.
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Campbell’s Enrolled Agents & Co., Inc. is seeking an Experienced Tax Preparer Seasonal full-time and yearly full-time. Preparing individual and/or corporate tax returns. Maintain office cleanliness and organization of resources with team members and other duties as assigned. Requirements, high school diploma or equivalent. Strong organizational and time-management skills. Knowledge and experience with tax programs computer system. Please email your Resume to Info@campbellsea.com
Complete Auto Repair is growing again! We are hiring a full-time Lube Technician. This is a stable “foot in the door” position that provides on-the-job training, leading to an even better-paying career at our shop. Send people you know to our Facebook Page for details and application. For your vehicle’s repairs and maintenance, call Mary at 941-623-2926 to schedule an appointment. We want to EARN your business.
PGICA Facility Technician (Part-Time) A part-time cleaning and maintenance position is available at the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA). Responsibilities include maintaining the cleanliness, repair and safety of the facility, equipment and grounds; preparing the auditorium and classrooms for daily activities; and preparing for and staffing private events. The role requires schedule flexibility, initiative, attention to detail, good judgement, and outstanding customer service skills. Estimated 6 to 10 hours a week; Weekdays- $15 per hour; Weekends and Holidays- $19 per hour. Please contact Teri Ashley at teriashley@pgica.org or 941-637-1655.
Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org. AND REMEMBER you can login and post your job in the MIC (Member Portal) and it will be visible to all on our website https://business.charlottecountychamber.org/jobs/
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Showcase your business through sponsorship! |
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Are you looking for an opportunity to showcase your business? A great opportunity would be sponsoring one of our Third Wednesday Coffees. Sponsors receive recognition in Business Online, on Facebook and in the Chamber calendar. Sponsors may place marketing materials on the tables at the event and will have 4-5 minutes to introduce yourself/staff/business. Available slots are limited. Please contact Janet Caffee jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for details. Cost to sponsor is $300.
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LOCAL-
Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.
STATE AND FEDERAL-
Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/
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The owner of a small deli was being questioned by an IRS agent about his tax return. He had reported a net profit of $80,000 for the year.
"Why don't you people leave me alone?" the deli owner said. "I work like a dog, everyone in my family helps out, the place is only closed three days a year...and you want to know how I made $80,000?"
"It's not your income that bothers us," the agent said. "It's these deductions. You listed six trips to Bermuda for you and your wife."
"Oh, that," the owner said smiling. "Didn't I mention? We deliver anywhere..."
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Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
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Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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