TEAM Punta Gorda News for November

November 2023

Help Needed!

Leadership Volunteers

With the onset of Punta Gorda’s busy season, TEAM Punta Gorda, the volunteer organization you love to hear about, is back on track and busier than ever. We mobilize over 500 volunteers each and every year! Thanks to them, the free yellow loaner bikes are still rolling (over 4,000 YTD), the community gardens are still growing, and the downtown is in bloom.

With all of this going on you may wonder how we find the resources. It takes three things to make a project viable at TEAM Punta Gorda: Mission, Money, and Manpower. First, projects we take on must be consistent with our mission, which is to help make the greater Punta Gorda area a better place to live, work and play. Second, there has to be a viable funding plan, and third there must be volunteers who want to carry out the project.

So, you may ask, where is the shortfall?

Learn the answer.

See how you can help.

They Paddled Punta Gorda

What more could one ask for? Beautiful blue skies and abundant sunshine. Lush estuaries and inlets to explore. The recent 2023 Paddle Punta Gorda delivered all that and more. A day of fun, learning and camaraderie that highlighted the importance of our community's most important asset: our waterways. Pictured is naturalist Ashley Cook, Park Manager of CHEC.

Read more and see the photos.

TEAM at Harborside Garden

Season Kick-Off Event

The weather was perfect for TEAM’s first of the season November “Mixer” at the new Four Points by Sheraton Harborside Garden. A spirited collection of friends, volunteers and residents enjoyed delicious “bites” and conversation in this beautiful waterside event venue adjacent to TT Tiki’s bar. Our thanks to Sheraton General Manager Craig Holt and his dedicated staff. Sheraton Four Points is a TEAM Platinum sponsor and bike loaner host.

See who was there.

Outreach Chair Gina Silvidi-Cairns (far right standing with TEAM board Vice President Betsy Spagnolo at her side) and her fabulous committee welcomed 79 new and familiar faces to TEAM's first of the season mixer.

New Loaner Bicycle Sponsor

Thank you Peace River Bikers for your donation of a new bike for TEAM's Free Bike Loaner Program. Pictured here are members (from left to right) Martin Fainer, Adam Taylor, Judi Speck, Ed Bartley, Donna King, Jeff Orcutt, Linda Momber, Charles Stevens, Peggy Nederveld, Court Nederveld and David Lawrence. TEAM CEO Nancy Johnson is center front.

Learn More.

PGI Canal Water Sampling Project Needs Volunteers

TEAM Punta Gorda has been engaged in water quality issues for several years, recently collaborating with Charlotte County and Punta Gorda City officials and several non-profit organizations to improve the quality of our water. These discussions have opened the door to an opportunity for TEAM to jump onboard with a more hands-on approach which would include monitoring the water quality within the PGI canal system.

This project requires a team leader and volunteers to collect samples. Contact TEAM to get involved. Pictured here: Richard Whitman, PHD with Phyllis and Bruce Wojcik of Heal Our Harbor (HOH).

Bike Loaner Program Senior Scavenger Hunt

TEAM is partnering with Charlotte County Community Services for a fun recreation event on Friday, Nov 17. This free event for adults 50+ years of age starts at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel Harborside to check out and ride TEAM's free loaner bikes. Participants who find the most markers in the quickest time will receive free certificates from sponsors Harbor Scoops and Celtic Ray Pub. All participants must register by calling 941.627.1074.

Learn more

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 these TEAM Platinum sponsors: