Gulf Coast Partnership

03/06/2026

✨ Tickets Are ON SALE for Art Under the Stars! ✨

Join us for an unforgettable evening where art, creativity, and community come together in support of Stars Academy’s Scholarship Fund. 🌟

🎟️ Tickets are limited and selling now, so don’t wait to secure your seat for this one-of-a-kind experience featuring original artwork, live and immersive performances, and an inspiring mission that supports local children and families.

Interested in getting more involved? We would love to hear from you!
We are currently welcoming:
🎨 Art donations
🖌️ Participating artists & performers
🤝 Sponsors & partners
🙌 Volunteers

📩 For more information or to get involved, please contact:
Kelly Hunter, Director of Development & Marketing
📞 941-626-0220 ext. 4
📧 [email protected]

A heartfelt thank you to our generous sponsors whose support makes Art Under the Stars possible. Your partnership is helping open doors and create brighter futures for children in our community. 💙

✨ Tickets are limited—get yours today and be part of something truly special. ✨

To purchase - scan the QR code or visit https://www.stars-academy.org

03/02/2026

✨ Volunteers Needed for Art Under the Stars ✨

Stars Academy families and friends — we need YOU.

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, Art Under the Stars will transform The Event Center at Holy Trinity into a one-of-a-kind evening of art, creativity, and community — all benefiting the Stars Academy Scholarship Fund.

This immersive, gallery-style event will feature:
🎨 Live & silent art auctions
💃 Special performances by Studio Seven
🎭 A live speed-painting performance by Miami-based artist Salvador Live
🍴 Heavy hors d’oeuvres & desserts
🍸 A cash bar, and more!

Every dollar raised helps provide scholarships for children right here in our community — giving families access to high-quality early learning and care.

But we can’t do it alone.

We are looking for volunteers to help with:
• Setup & décor
• Registration & guest check-in
• Auction support
• Artist assistance
• Guest experience
• Breakdown

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, community supporter, or simply someone who believes in our mission — this is a beautiful way to give back.
Sign up to volunteer here:
👉 https://forms.gle/RqrDEtviau411Kdh7
Want to simply attend instead? Tickets are on sale now:
🎟 https://onecau.se/_ecuu51
Let’s come together to create something meaningful for our Stars Academy children. 💫

✨ Volunteers Needed for Art Under the Stars ✨

Stars Academy families and friends — we need YOU.

On Saturday, March 14, 2026, Art Under the Stars will transform The Event Center at Holy Trinity into a one-of-a-kind evening of art, creativity, and community — all benefiting the Stars Academy Scholarship Fund.

This immersive, gallery-style event will feature:
🎨 Live & silent art auctions
💃 Special performances by Studio Seven
🎭 A live speed-painting performance by Miami-based artist Salvador Live
🍴 Heavy hors d’oeuvres & desserts
🍸 A cash bar

Every dollar raised helps provide scholarships for children right here in our community — giving families access to high-quality early learning and care.

But we can’t do it alone.

We are looking for volunteers to help with:
• Setup & décor
• Registration & guest check-in
• Auction support
• Artist assistance
• Guest experience
• Breakdown

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, community supporter, or simply someone who believes in our mission — this is a beautiful way to give back.

Sign up to volunteer here:
👉 https://forms.gle/RqrDEtviau411Kdh7

Want to simply attend instead? Tickets are on sale now:
🎟 https://onecau.se/_ecuu51

Let’s come together to create something meaningful for our Stars Academy children. 💫

02/10/2026

✨ Grateful. Inspired. Energized. ✨

The 2026 Community Champions Breakfast may be behind us, but the impact and inspiration from that morning continue to resonate. We are deeply thankful to everyone who joined us to celebrate leadership, collaboration, and opportunity in our community.

A sincere thank you to our sponsors CDBIA Next Gen and Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, and to our table sponsors Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic Inc., Ashley Maher, and Carrie Walsh for your generous support.

We are grateful to our keynote speaker, Michael Ehrat, CEO of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, for his thoughtful remarks, and to our co-hosts, Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte County, Florida Economic Development for their continued partnership.

Thank you to the many leaders and community partners in attendance, including Charlotte County Sheriff's Office, Punta Gorda Police Department, Commissioner Stephen R. Deutsch, Charlotte County Public Schools, and the student-athletes who joined us—an inspiring reminder of the importance of investing in young people and the pathways that help them thrive.

We are proud to once again congratulate our 2026 honorees:
🏆 Employer Champions: MISSION BBQ & Ambitrans Ambulance
🏆 Educational Institution Champion: Vocational Rehabilitation - Charlotte County
🏆 Community Champion: Jordan Ingman, Port Charlotte High School, for his life-changing work through the Next Steps Program.

Special thanks to Steve Lineberry - Photographer of Premier Photographic Events for capturing the morning, the staff at The Event Center - Port Charlotte, FL at Holy Trinity for providing a beautiful space, Beef O'Brady's and Chris Lansdale for a delicious breakfast, and Buffalo Graffix for assisting with our last-minute printing needs.

Thank you to everyone who continues to champion opportunity, stability, and collaboration in our community. 💙

02/07/2026

Today is World Wetlands Day—a time to celebrate and reflect on these vital ecosystems, many of which exist right in our own backyards.

Wetlands are often misunderstood, yet they are among the most important and beautiful landscapes we have. They play a crucial role in our environment, supporting diverse wildlife and protecting our natural world. Clyde has spent much of his life photographing these incredible places, capturing both their beauty and their significance.

Stay tuned as we share some of his favorite images and stories that highlight the wild, untamed spirit of these remarkable landscapes. 📸

02/07/2026

It’s Saturday! 🎉Your coffee tastes better, the sun is shining, and somewhere out there… a volunteer opportunity is calling your name ☎️😉

Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic is always looking for kind hearts, friendly faces, and community-minded helpers to join our volunteer family.

No capes required - just compassion and a willingness to help. 💙
Come be part of something that truly matters.

https://volunteercare.org/volunteer-vba-clinic-pharmacy/

02/07/2026

Congratulations to our 2026 Community Champion -- Coach Jordan Ingman🏆

02/05/2026

PS Charlotte County is looking for applicants for next year's cohort. Pease reach out to Arynne Keezer 239-266-5227 for applications or for additional information.

01/31/2026

CERT Basic Training is an in-person, 3-day, FREE preparedness-based training course.

This is delivered to the public quarterly and goes over topics such as: Preparedness, CERT Organization, Disaster Psychology, Terrorism, Communications, Fire Safety/Utility Controls, Light Search and Rescue, and Disaster Medical Operations.

In order to obtain a certificate, one must attend all three days or make up a missed date at a future offering. Signing up via this link will sign you up for all three dates. If you cannot make one or more of the dates, please let us know in advance, and the day can be made up at a later training.

Dates: March 11,12,13
Time: 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Location: 26571 Airport Road, Punta Gorda, Florida 33982 (Public Safety Complex)
Sign-Up: https://signup.com/go/OMMVPzL

01/27/2026