Spring 2021
The Treasure of Enduring Community Partnerships
In these uncertain times, we all have family and friends to count on. But how do organizations manage to move forward with their mission under these circumstances? They develop secure and enduring partnerships with other organizations. In good times and stressful times, it is essential to know you can count on them to come through for you.

Build a Bike, Win a Bike
Meet the Townie Winner
Those who participated in TEAM’s Build a Bike, Win a Bike, had a blast.
“Fun, good exercise, and a nice way to explore different parts of Punta Gorda,” commented one participant about the event, created as an alternative to TEAM’s highly successful annual bicycle outing, Pedal and Play in Paradise. Said another rider, “the socially distanced event was a great alternative to Pedal and Play.”

Top prize winner of the Townie bicycle donated by Charlotte Community Foundation and Acme Bike Shop was Pat VanderVlucht, pictured center with husband Garry and left to right:

Karen Freeman, Acme Bike Shop, TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson, Gayle Rossi, Charlotte Community Foundation and Corinne Carlson, TEAM administration.
16th Annual Golf Scramble
A Perfect Day in Paradise
A hundred fun loving golfers scrambled for TEAM in March at St. Andrews South Golf Club in Punta Gorda. Chair Betsy Spagnolo reports that the day was picture perfect. Thanks to all the golfers and sponsors, TEAM met its annual fundraising goal once again. We will have a full report, and a gallery of photos to enjoy in our next issue.
Punta Gorda is Blooming
Phase I is Complete
Punta Gorda in Bloom (PGIB) has successfully completed the beautification of Hector House Square Park, the Historic Courthouse and Taylor Street between Olympia and Marion Avenues. Bravo to committee chair Richard Polk, sponsor Alan Schulman and a supporting cast of dedicated Bloom volunteers, many of them members of the PGI Green Thumbs (pictured here working on the Taylor Street project). 
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2021 Spring Food Drive
April 16th 9 am-12:30 pm
St. Vincent de Paul needs our help! Let's drive through the Charlotte Community Foundation parking lot with our donations. Enter off 227 Sullivan Street in Punta Gorda between Marion and Olympia Avenues. Remain in your car. TEAM volunteers will remove your donation from trunk or back seat. Exit easily onto route 41 southbound.

Painting their Hearts Out for Military Veteran Housing
In a new twist on TEAM's Paint Your Heart Out program, TEAM volunteers recently painted two homes earmarked for low-income veteran tenants. One is owned and managed by the Punta Gorda Housing Authority and the other by the Gulf Coast Partnership. The effort is part of a project called PORCH (Peace River Community Housing Partners), an initiative of the Gulf Coast Partnership.
Chair Barry Simescu and friends from Michigan painted the Fitzhugh house in Punta Gorda. Here is a thank you letter from the PG Housing Authority.

The Punta Gorda Rotary Club (gathered under the car port) painted the Conway Boulevard house in Port Charlotte.
TEAM Volunteers help build Habitat's 500th home
TEAM volunteers are partnering with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity on its 500-home milestone. This new affordable home on Espie Street in Punta Gorda is TEAM's fifth build.

As CEO Nancy Johnson told the Charlotte Sun, "If organizations had best friends, we would be best friends for sure."

New Bike Loaner Program Fleet Sponsors
The Charlotte Community Foundation and the Punta Gorda Rotary Club have joined the ranks of local organizations sponsoring TEAM Punta Gorda free loaner bicycles.
TEAM offers free loaner bicycles at four locations in the Punta Gorda area.


Pictured top: Staff from Charlotte Community Foundation: left to right are Georganna Dodd, Suzanne Herron, Gayle Ross, Amber Bistarkey and TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson.

Pictured bottom: Punta Gorda Rotary President Darcy Hanley (fourth from left) stands with TEAM Punta Gorda CEO Nancy Johnson to her left. Joining Hanley and Johnson are Rotarians (from left) John Antona, Terry Cole, Laura Knutson Robin Adair, and James Williams.
James M. Coalwell Joins TEAM's Board of Directors
Coalwell is Vice President of commercial lending, Charlotte State Bank and Trust. "We’re really excited to have James with us," said TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson. "He’s a dynamic leader, past president of the Economic Development Partnership and very committed to the economic development of our community."
Remember to "Smile" when you shop Amazon online. Shop at smile.amazon.com. Select TEAM as your non-profit. Every time you shop, Amazon donates.
TEAM Punta Gorda is a volunteer-driven organization committed to making Punta Gorda a wonderful place to live, work, and play. We invite your time, talent, and treasure. Contact TEAM at 941-637-8326 or by email at team@teampuntagorda.org. Learn more at www.teampuntagorda.org. Please recognize and support TEAM's Platinum Sponsors.