Kudos!

Beginning bright and early in the morning on March 16, Habitat for Humanity teamed up with eight local builders to do the unthinkable: build nine houses, from start to finish, in just 5 days.

We here at HARBOR STYLE would like to extend an extra special thank you to this year’s participating builders — Coastal Property Group of Florida, Marsella Enterprises, Mathews/Taylor Construction, MK Construction, Owen-Ames-Kimball Company, Schaefer Homes, Thornberry Development and Truex Preferred Construction — and the more than 1,100 sub-contractors and volunteers who helped accomplish this remarkable mission. And, of course, thank you to all the local businesses who kept these volunteers fed and hydrated all week long. They couldn’t have done it without you!

Because of all your efforts, nine families have a safe, happy and affordable place to call home. People like you are what make this community so amazing. If you are interested in participating in next year’s Builder’s Blitz, call Debbie Doran-Haynes at (941) 639-3162.

The Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida installed newly elected members at large and rededicated current members and board officers at its annual meeting on January 31. Congratulations to newly elected members at large: Rock Aboujaoudé (Alva), David Alleman (Naples), Betsy Benac (Sarasota–Manatee County), Ann Carrasquillo (North Fort Myers), Barbara Church (Naples), Richard Cyphers (Sarasota), Rae Dowling (Bradenton), Shane McIntosh (Naples), Dianne Simmons (Fort Myers), Renée Valentino (Naples), Patricia Zuzolo (Port Charlotte) and Francina Hollaway (Sarasota). Current members at large include Reneé Armstrong (Cape Coral), Bonny Eads Dery (Naples), Mary Disher (Port Charlotte), Francina Hollaway (Sarasota), Frances Robine (Cape Coral), Patrice Weston (Port Charlotte) and Vicki Wilkes (Port Charlotte). Board officers currently serving a two-year term include Linda Getzen, President (Sarasota), Susan Atherton, First Vice President (Longboat Key–Manatee County), Cecelia Hill, Second Vice President (Port Charlotte), Nancy Gorski, Treasurer (Sarasota), Beverly Duff, Secretary (Fort Myers) and Sandi Stewart, CEO of Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. (Sarasota).

Charlotte Harbor Visitor and Convention Bureau is challenging residents to become Charlotte Harbor Meeting Ambassadors by bringing meetings and conferences to the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Individuals who are successful in generating overnight conference business will become an exclusive owner of an acre-foot of Charlotte Harbor, that’s 325,851 gallons of water! To find out more information, including how it all works and rules and regulations, visit charlotteharbormeetings.

 

Charlotte State Bank raised more than $3,100 for the Charlotte County Chapter of the American Red Cross during the recent Heroes for the American Red Cross campaign. The donation prompted the chapter to create the new designation of “Super Hero Plus” for the bank. “We are very pleased and thankful that Charlotte State Bank joined with us in this important and successful campaign,” said Kathyrn Whalen, Red Cross community development director. “Our employees and customers responded with typical generosity,” said Kelly Louke, Port Charlotte branch manager. “Knowing that all the funds collected will remain in Charlotte County gave us all an added incentive.” The Heroes campaign ran from February 26 through March 27.