Kudos!

Witnesses to History: Good Shepherd 8th graders recall their historic trip to Washington D.C.

[Our 8th grade class was] granted tickets to the inauguration of Barack Obama by [Representative] Tom Rooney. There are no words that can describe the positive energy in the National Mall that day. Being able to see the inauguration of Barack Obama was a priviledge that will always be remembered.
–Luke Marshall

On our trip we saw the Jefferson Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, the Crime and Punishment Museum and the Smithsonian, and we took a tour of the Capital Visitor Center. The most exciting part of the entire trip was being able to see the inauguration…we were in the millions. The entire wait to enter and exit the National Mall was shoulder to shoulder.
–Adam Konjoian

I had fun in Washington D.C. and wish I could have stayed longer! My favorite part of the trip was when we visited the Capital Building and got to see the inauguration of President Obama.
–Alex Francis

Attending the Inauguration of President Barack Obama with millions of people and hearing his now famous speech was amazing. The only downside of this trip was how cold it was; however, with the combination of seeing historic sites, witnessing historic moments…and doing it all with my classmates, the trip was absolutely incredible.
–Jeremy Levy

Our class got to go to Washington D.C. to see the Presidential Inauguration. I think it was a once in a lifetime opportunity...we were witnessing history. We visited many monuments that looked beautiful at night. The Jefferson Memorial was my favorite…you could see the whole of Washington D.C. from the steps of this amazing memorial…It was a great trip that I will always remember.
–Egle Vinickaite

The trip to Washington D.C. was an experience that will always be remembered. Seeing the first African American be inaugurated as President was a breathtaking site...The volunteers, parents, staff and donors who contributed to our trip deserve enormous thanks. There were many historical and funny events that will not be forgotten.
–Nathan Buckley

Supporting The Community

Special thanks to Steve Vito and SunTrust Bank for generously donating $20,000 to the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition.

 

The Mariners of PGI, one of several boating cruise clubs associated with the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association, held a fundraiser during its annual holiday party and raised more than $8,000 for the Still Waters Home. The Still Waters Home is a rescue operation under the auspices of Restoration Roads Ministry, Inc. that will provide shelter to 18 homeless teenagers, allowing them to finish their education in Charlotte County. Ana Romillo, former executive director of the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, serves as president of Restoration Roads. The home is expected to open in Port Charlotte sometime this spring.

Members of the Royal Order of Ponce de Leon Conquistadors presented a $1,000 check to Marilyn Smith-Mooney, president of the Military Heritage Museum, on January 15. The Conquistadors donated the money to the museum to help fund the purchase of retail space on the ground level of the new Herald Street parking garage. The museum hopes to make Herald Square its new home.