~ 97^th Year Serving Charlotte County ~

 Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock

Are You Prepared? Is your business prepared for hurricane season? The Charlotte County Economic Development Office is proud to partner with Charlotte County, Florida Government, CareerSource Southwest Florida, SBDC at FGCU, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Punta Gorda Chamber of Commerce, and Englewood Chamber of Commerce to get you and your business ready for hurricane season. Join us for our FREE webinar on Wednesday, June 15th at 12pm. 

Unable to attend the Webinar? Click here to view or print the 12 page Charlotte County Disaster Guide.

PLATINUM LEVEL: Buffalo Graffix*; Chapman Insurance Group; Charlotte County Ford; Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center; Integrity Employee Leasing ; Olsen, Lynch & Associates, CPAs; The Daily Sun and Tommy's Express Cara Wash

DIAMOND LEVEL: Ashley, Brown, and Smith, CPAs; The Bevis Group; Burnt Store Title and Escrow; Charlotte State Bank and Trust; Farr Law Firm; Friendly Floors; The Nix Team at Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty; and Panther Hollow Dental Lodge.

EMERALD LEVEL: Centennial Bank; Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions, LLC; Friendly Floors; Nolan Family Insurance; Port Charlotte Florist; Sandhill Healing Center; South Port Square; St. Andrews South Golf Club; State Farm Insurance-Mike Martin; and Wotitzky, Wotitzky, Ross, McKinley and Young Law Firm.

And remember, each time you attend a chamber event, your business card goes into the drawing for a $2,000 Key West Flight donated by Air Trek Charter Jet Service. The drawing to be held at the Annual Meeting on September 30, 2022! The more events you attend, the more chances to WIN...Just look for the big gold bingo drum and add your business card!

Networking at Noon on June 8, 2022 will be at the 88 Keys Restaurant at the Wyvern Hotel.  88 Keys Restaurant is on the lower level. Cost is $15 per person for this members networking event. Kindly register and choose your meal in the Member Portal.

Third Wednesday Coffee on June 15 will be held at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. Our sponsor is GulfView Medical Institute, and our guest speaker is Hector Flores, Charlotte County Administrator, with a "State of the County" address. Please register for this event in the Member Portal. There is no charge for this member event.

Lunch & Learn at the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce on June 28th.

Topic: 9 Marketing Secrets for Small Businesses, Presented by Brad Swezey, JustSmallBiz Marketing. Your registration fee includes Lunch. Either an Italian or Turkey & Chedder sandwich, chips, cookie and a beverage. Cost is $10.00pp. Pre-registration by June24th is necessary so that we can properly plan the event. Please register for this event in the Member Portal.

The 2023 Community Guide and Business Directory will be out in October 2022. Your advertisement can be seen by thousands in both the printed and online guides. Members interested in advertising should return the advertising contract, Ad Copy and payment are due by August 12, 2022. The Community Guide is our showpiece for all things Charlotte County, distributed at the Punta Gorda Airport, Charlotte Harbor Event Center, County Libraries, Community Associations and to walk-ins, email and mail requests. AND on CharlotteCountyChamber.org with live links to your webpage. Please call 941-627-2222 with any questions.

New Teacher Breakfast - The Charlotte County Public Schools are expecting about 150 New Teachers for the 2022-2023 school year. We are asking our Charlotte County Chamber members to Sponsor a New Teacher for Breakfast on Thursday, July 28, 2022. Your sponsorship of $45 covers the cost of breakfast for you and a teacher. We also invite all members who sponsor a teacher to bring us 150 items for Teacher Welcome Bags. Gifts for inclusion need to be delivered to the Chamber office at 2702 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, July 15th. (Gifts/promo items only-NO Flyers please.)  Kindly register for this event in the MIC.

Leadership Charlotte Class of 2023 applications are now available. We would encourage any chamber member who is looking to gain a greater and deeper understanding of how Charlotte County operates, to apply. In addition to getting a once-in-a-lifetime education, you will make life-long connections and friendships. Only 25 applicants are selected for each class. As you fill out the application, please provide complete and comprehensive answers to each question.  The deadline for all application submissions is on Friday, August 5, 2022. If you have any questions regarding the Leadership Charlotte Program/Schedule, please reach out to Bob White bwhite@charlottecountychamber.org

The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on June 2. (Digital flyers are due by May 31.) 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.

Business of the Year Nomination Form-2022 - Nomination forms are due back by August 22, 2022. You may nominate you own business, or nominate another business for this award. Print the form to see the criteria and answer five questions. We encourage you to blow your own horn and self-nominate.  The selection committee will be made up of past recipients, and the awards will be presented at the 97th Annual Meeting Luncheon on September 30, 2022.

Members, the Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is a DIGITAL Quarterly publishing January/April/July/October. Members who want to include a Digital page to ride with the newsletter should complete and return the agreement and provide their digital page by the 20th of the month before publication. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. Send your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for information.

The Leadership Charlotte Class of 2022 is raising funds for Mental Health Matters with a "Glow Gala" scheduled for June 4th. Funds raised will benefit four nonprofits. The Guardian Ad Litem Foundation's Alternative Therapy program for children in foster care. Purchasing items for The Family Services Center of Charlotte County to create a sensory room for all 14 nonprofits at the center to use. Purchasing items for Charlotte Behavioral Health Care to create a sensory room in the crisis stabilization unit. and to Purchase items for the Animal Welfare League to enhance their real-life room project, allowing dogs a break from stressful kennel life and space for staff and volunteers to enjoy the mental health benefits that come with comforting the dogs. Additionally the class plans to make a donation to the Leadership Charlotte Endowment fund and Junior Leadership Charlotte. Email them at leadershipcharlotte22@gmail.com for more information. Print the Glow Gala Sponsorship Flyer. For tickets visit LeadershipCharlotte.Square.site

Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix

Newspaper Sponsor: The Daily Sun

Bag Sponsor: WhitCo Insurance-Alexia Martin Agency

Refreshment Station Sponsor: The Purple House Salon

spangenberg.kristi@gmail.com

Businesses may join online now on our website or please recommend a business to

Jami Joannes jjoannes@charlottecountychamber.org and she will follow up with them!

Tuesday, June 7^th 5:30pm

Florida Consumer Off Lease Auto Brokers Ribbon Cutting

474 Tamiami Trail Port Charlotte. Refreshments will be served

Kindly RSVP in the MIC (Member Portal)

New Location Ribbon Cutting

103 West Marion Ave. #101

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Wednesday, June 29^th at 5:30 p.m.

1804 Tamiami Trail Suite E-3 Port Charlotte

Wine, Beer, Soda, light Snacks & Cake Kindly RSVP for this Event in the Member Portal.

Rebranding Ribbon Cutting - Dual Chamber

126 E. Olympia Ave. Suite 301 Punta Gorda

They will be serving food & beverages.

Wednesday, June 1^st at 12:00 Noon

Ribbon Cutting

Immediately Following the Third Wednesday Coffee, June 15^th about 9:00 a.m.

75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda

(outside the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center by his truck & trailer)

Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Thursday, July 7th at 5:30 p.m.

Kindly RSVP for this Event in the Member Portal.

Tuesday, July 12^th 2022 at 5:30 p.m.

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.)

Caring for a loved one? Finally, take the "daycation" you both deserve! Enter to Win free care for an entire year right here at ActivAge at Chelsea Place Enjoy peace of mind while your loved one is having the time of their life! Our Daycation Giveaway is open now to May 31st, 2022. If you are caring for a loved one, don't miss this opportunity to win an entire year of care, FREE at our Port Charlotte location. Visit https://www.activagecare.com/free to enter! Winner will be chosen/announced in June 2022.

Charlotte Players-Kids onstage Summer Theatre Workshop. June 6-10, 13-17 $250. $25 discount for additional child per family. Three groups: Dolly’s Kids 9a-Noon entering 1^st & 2^nd grade, Stars 9a-Noon entering 3^rd-6^th grade, and Thespians 1pm-4pm entering 7^th-12^th grade. T-shirt included in the price. Located at Charlotte Performing Arts Center, 701 Carmalita Street in Punta Gorda. For more information or to register call 041-255-1022. Check out Kids onstage Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/KidsOnStageCP. 

Lightspeed Voice provides products and services to help businesses attract new customers and provide exceptional service for the ones they have. This is accomplished with the latest phone technology and customer integration software. Lightspeed Voice is also “More Than Just Business”. Lightspeed GIVES has funded 44 Grant Requests … totaling more than $40,000.  The 1st quarter Grant Request window closes on Thursday – June 9^th.  Grant requests can be submitted online at LightspeedGIVES.com.  (https://www.lightspeedvoice.com/lightspeed-gives)

Carpenter Homes Patriot Sale-New Home Move-in Promo! Offering Home Buyers **$8,000 Concession towards buying down rates and closing cost fees or for Veterans and First Responders **10,000 Concession towards buying down rates and closing cost fees. Four locations in North Port. Contact new home specialist, Julie Gibbs 941-876-5860 for details on specific terms and conditions for this offer good through 6-15-22.

Camelot Community Care is having a Charity Cornhole Tournament for the kids in Foster Care in Charlotte County. Camelot is contracted by the Children’s Network of SW Florida to provide the services we do in Charlotte County. We are looking for PLAYERS, VENDORS, and SPONSORS. The tournament will be held indoors with A/C on June 18th! For more information and how to register visit www.camelot4kids.com Proceeds will benefit the foster care services and programs of Camelot Community Care in Port Charlotte which serves children and families experiencing abuse, neglect, behavioral health and substance abuse issues.

You will do flips over the artwork of Kelly Reark June 22nd from 5pm-7pm at Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Homes and Cremation Services 635 E Marion Ave Punta Gorda.  We will be hosting a complimentary Wine and Cheese reception to showcase Kelly's passion for tarpon and local fisherman. Using vibrant expressions of light, texture and motion in combination with a scrimshaw-inspired painting technique, she create artworks that are both nostalgic and energetic.  For more information please visit www.kays-ponger.com or like us on Facebook. AIPP Locations are sponsored by A/H Council.

Mark your calendars for the 2022 Public Safety Appreciation Night! Join us June 25, 2022 as we celebrate those who serve our great community. Benefiting Charlotte County Sheriff's Explorers Post #29 & Do the Right Thing of Charlotte County, Inc. Don't wait! Tickets are limited and sell out every year. Tickets on sale now: https://bit.ly/3uHHnGK

Country for a Cause, July 8, 2022, 6PM: Champ Jaxon will perform at this Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic fundraising event. In a casual country-western setting, guests will enjoy a catered meal, GREAT music, auctions and fun, in order to raise funds for the Clinic's important mission, providing no-cost volunteer Medical, Pharmacy and Wellness Services to the under-served in Charlotte County. Tickets & sponsorships, more info available online: https://volunteercare.org/country-for-a-cause/ - or call Karen Amador 941-276-4075.

The Kiwanis Punta Gorda After Hours Foundation presents Merry Grinchmas in July a Reverse Raffle fundraiser to support free books for kids visiting Lizzy the Literacy Bus. Drawing will be Saturday, JULY 9, 2022 at the Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Rd, Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Top prize is $10,000! Tickets are a minimum donation of $100 each and include dinner for two and entertainment with the Boogiemen. Sponsorships contact Douglas Tucker at 941-875-4111. Need not be present to win, but must be reachable by phone at time of drawing at approximately 9:30 pm EST. Contact Marian Taylor 941-380-1087 Tickets at www.KiwanisPGAfterHours.com

Valerie’s House Save the Date for our Celebrating Charlotte Fundraising Event! Join us on Saturday, July 30^th (1-5pm) at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center. All proceeds will be benefitting Valerie’s House-Charlotte County. Contact Christine Carey for vendor & sponsorship opportunities (239-841-0382 or christine@valerieshouse.org).

In the course of background screening, if you decide to reject an applicant based on information generated in a background check, make sure the applicant first receives a "pre-adverse action notice" ... to provide the applicant the opportunity to dispute the background information you've developed. Following that, if you do proceed to the rejection, be sure to provide a "final adverse action notice" to the applicant containing the specific language required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act.    For FCRA-compliant, background screening ... contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks.   941-488-8500;  800-531-6522;   nrginfo@atlantic.net  

The Kiwanis Shoes for Kids Project begins June 19th, 2022 and ends July 24th. This mission, is to provide a new properly fitted pair of tennis shoes to any youth in the Charlotte County Public School System who may need them. We service the entire Charlotte County Public School System (CCPS) for the academic year (elementary, middle, high schools, and centers). The sizes range from a toddler five to a men’s fourteen and women’s twelve. The largest needs come in the elementary sizes; twelve toddler–five youth for girls and ten toddler to seven adult boys. Visit www.shoesforkidsproject.org

There is no better time to buy a home. Toby Lynn helps get the right mortgage program for your sister, parents, or best buddy! Toby makes the process easy from Pre-Qualifying to Closing. Specializing in Happy, Smooth, and On-Time Closings! CALL TODAY! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com

The Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies would like to remind everyone to check out ReUse! If you are in need of affordable Household items, clothes and furniture, the C.A.R.E. Reuse Store is the place to go. We also accept donations, all proceeds go directly to our survivors. The address is 19765 Kenilworth Blvd. For further inquiries feel free to call (941) 624-3488 or check out our website at www.carefl.org. We are on Facebook/Instagram at carecharlottecounty, check out our page and share our content to raise awareness. Thank you!

At Independent Financial Coaching, we help you correct the errors on your credit reports that are lowering your credit score. The major credit bureaus all pull slightly different records and weigh them differently. There is a process of calling, writing, disputing, and proving payments to each bureau that can be confusing without educated guidance. That’s where we come in. Our process can clear errors, resulting in a big payoff to your finances. Call Sue Craig at 941-916-5324 for a consultation.

You’ve read that our area is the most searched place in the US when people think about relocating.  At Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage, sometimes it feels like they are all calling us!  It is a very busy time, and the shortage of workers has been hitting movers for years.  We honor all jobs that we agree to and our movers and drivers are employees.  So even in this busy season, you can count on us to make your move efficient and painless.  When quality counts, call Gardiner & Sons at (941) 423 – 5311. 

We know that an air conditioner is one of the most important features in your car.  Having it work efficiently will make your life better, and minimize the cost to your vehicle.  At Complete Auto Repair, we make sure your a/c is functional.  We add a fluorescent green dye to the Freon that includes a stop-leak for small leaks so we can easily detect them with a black light.  Don’t roll the dice on your comfort this summer.  Call Mary for an appointment, (941) 623-2926.   

Did you know that Murdock Stones Etc. sells industrial grade weedmat (groundcover) and weedmat pins? The weedmat comes in 12 different sizes. For the month of May, all chamber members can get $10 off any one roll of weedmat. 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (by the Sun Flea Market). 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox). www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651

Spring into well-being by having happier and healthier employees! Gulfcoast South AHEC offers 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.

Charlotte DeSoto Building Industry Association awards $21,500 in scholarships. The CDBIA supports local high schools through mentorship and on the job training. This year, as we have for the past 15 years, celebrate 12 students earning construction scholarships, totaling $21,500. Scholarships are awarded to students entering the workforce directly from high school, or furthering their education by attending a trade school or majoring in a construction field at a university. If you or your child has an interest in learning more about a career in construction, visit www.cdbia.com or call 941-625-0804.

Click here to view jobs currently posted on the Charlotte County Chamber website!

Florida Consumer Off Lease Auto Brokers LLC- Drive Free, have an income. Option one: We have over 1,500 late model, low mileage vehicles with factory warranty available every week. All one owner Florida vehicles. You are invited to our indoor virtual auto studios to view live auctions with no dealer fees and purchase at 5% over cost and resell for a 10% profit. Option 2: You may join the company for a small fee and work from home or your office; sell from several lines and earn 40% commission. Average $1,000 per sale. Free training for the right person; Call Justin for appointment 941 350-7544

Fresh Catch Fish Co is a local business that specializes in bring the freshest seafood, steaks, homemade pot pies and more to the residents of Southwest Florida. We also bring our trucks not only to the Punta Gorda farmers market but also to gated communities stretching from Naples to Sarasota. We are looking for drivers to join our growing team as are expanding into more communities! Come drop by our store in Punta Gorda or go to our website Freshcatchfishco.com 

FULL TIME MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR - Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association (PGICA) The Membership Coordinator is responsible for growing PGICA membership through marketing campaigns and community outreach by developing and implementing membership recruitment and retention strategies, and works as a liaison between the association and its members. High-profile role requiring outstanding customer service, sales, communication and organizational skills; proficiency in Microsoft Office; positive and outgoing personality; high degree of judgement, initiative and confidentiality; and commitment to the mission and values of the Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association. Send resumes to teriashley@pgica.org for consideration. 

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.

LOCAL-

Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.

Charlotte County Economic Development Office- www.cleared4takeoff.com

Community Organizations Active in a Disaster- https://coadfl.org/

Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs- https://careersourcesouthwestflorida.com/immediate-southwest-florida-job-openings/

Charlotte County Department of Health- www.Charlotte.FloridaHealth.gov

City of Punta Gorda- http://www.ci.punta-gorda.fl.us/

Charlotte County Administration - https://www.charlottecountyfl.gov/dept/admin/Pages/default.aspx

Charlotte County Public Schools- https://www.yourcharlotteschools.net/

Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus

U.S. Department of Labor- https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic

https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/osec/osec20200320.

Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster

Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/

Florida Retail Federation- http://www.frf.org/index.php/news/covid-19

Florida Dept. of Health- http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/

Visit Florida- www.visitflorida.org

Governor's Office- www.flgov.com

Center for Disease Control- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

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.)

Bob White, Executive Director bwhite@charlottecountychamber.org

Jami Joannes, Dir. of Business Development jjoannes@charlottecountychamber.org

Ruth Uzonyi, Dir. of Finance ruzonyi@charlottecountychamber.org

Janet Caffee, Information & Customer Service jcaffee@charlottecountychamber.org