Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRI, 208 Tamiami Trail #113, Punta Gorda, FL (2026)

09/01/2026

WOO HOO! 🎉👟 HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR AMAZING SHOE DONORS! Thanks for "Shoe-ing" us the love! 💖✨
A Massive, Heart-Filled Shoutout to “EVERYONE” who brought shoes to early packet pickup and on race day! Whether you brought one pair or loaded us up with a whole bunch, your Incredible generosity completely blew us away! 🙌🥳

We also want to give a Big Shoutout to our Amazing partners at Funds2Orgs! Every single pair we collect helps power our shoe drive fundraiser to raise Vital funds for Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRI and Polly's Promise, PLUS those shoes get sent to help lift families and micro-entrepreneurs out of poverty overseas! How Wonderful is that?! 🌍💫
If you didn't get a chance to turn yours in yet, no worries AT ALL—our shoe drive is going strong all the way until October 28th! 🗓️💃
So go ahead, clean out those closets, gather up extra pairs from your Neighbors to make it extra worth the drive, and bring 'em on over! 🧹👟 Here's where you can drop them off:
📍 Drop Off Locations & Upcoming Events:

* Drop off right at my house! (Send me a message or call for the address!) 🏠

* Candlelight Recovery Vigil @ Laishley Park | Friday, Sept 20th (7:00 PM – 8:30 PM) ✨

* 3rd Annual Neighborhood Fall Festival & Nonprofit Expo @ Laishley Park | Saturday, Oct 17th (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM) 🍁🎃

🚗 VIP Doorstep Pickup:
Can’t make it to an event or drop them off? Easy peasy! Give me a call or drop me a message, and I will Gladly swing by and pick them up right from your front door! 🚘💨

A Very Special Shoutout to Lucinda Crowe-Layne, Deborah Cameron, Cathy Bogdan, Amber Christopher & Jen Murphy DeFusco for manning the table and collecting all those shoes while I was busy running around attending to race day activities! Y'all are absolute Rockstars! 🙌💖 (I promise next time I’ll make sure you don’t get completely buried under a giant mountain of footwear—you ladies deserve a medal just for keeping up with the shoe avalanche! 👟🏔️😄)

Thank you all so much for stepping up and showing so much Love. You are all such a Joy and a Blessing—let’s keep those shoe donations rolling in! 💜🧡✨

08/31/2026

God is so GOOD and my heart is still overflowing after the weekend! 💫
First and foremost, all the Glory, Honor, and Praise go to God for bringing this entire day together and surrounding us with so much Love, Light, and Grace. 🙏✨
Our 3rd Annual Overdose Awareness 5K/1-mile Remembrance Walk was Absolutely, Utterly AMAZING! ❤️ Signature events like this take a Village, and this event simply would not have been possible without EVERY SINGLE PERSON who poured their heart into making it happen. 🤲🏆
A VERY SPECIAL SHOUTOUT & THANK YOU: 🌟
~SPONSORS, TABLE VENDORS, IN-KIND DONORS, & VOLUNTEERS: A HUGE, Heartfelt THANK YOU 👏 to ALL of our incredible SPONSORS, TABLE VENDORS, IN-KIND DONORS, and VOLUNTEERS! Your generous financial support, resources, hard work, and presence provided vital resources and made this entire morning possible. A special thank you to Lucinda Crowe-Layne, Cathleen Bogdan, Deborah Cameron, and Amber Christopher for handling the Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRI table and the "Shoe Us The Love" drive with so much Love and Passion—I am so thankful for your commitment! 🤝💼✨
~Catherine Gundlach: A Deeply Special shoutout to my friend Catherine. Her Heart and Passion to help with this event came completely unexpectedly and was filled with so much Pure Love, Heart, and Unwavering Support. She showed up at 5:30 AM sharp, ran the raffle tables with so much Dedication, and managed the entire process Super seamlessly and smooth. She lifted a humongous load off of me! 🎟️🌅❤️
~Women Warriors of Port Charlotte: Thank you for stepping up in such a HUGE way, bringing your Incredible, High Energy—which was SO Deeply needed and welcomed! ⚡🔥—taking home the Kelly Spirit Award with 45 sign-ups, and donating all of those Absolutely Amazing raffle baskets! 💪👑🎁
~Laurie Hayden: An Extra-Special thank you for handcrafting that Beautiful “Kelly Spirit” Award trophy. Laurie poured so much of her Heart and Soul into this creation during a season of deep loss, turning pain into Pure Beauty and bringing so much Light, Passion, and Life to this piece. It meant the Absolute world to me! I presented it to Laurie, and she generously gave it back to be beautifully displayed in our new sober living home, Polly's Promise. 🎨🕊️✨
~Cathy's Place of Charlotte County (Jennifer Kozacko), Drug Free Charlotte County (Diane Ramseyer, Mary Ellen Cooper Couture), Jennifer Ouellet & April Davis: Thank you for standing by my side every step of the way. Your Time, Effort, Passion, partnership, and Unyielding support for this event mean everything to me. 💙🤝
~Our Event Crew, Photographers & Guests: Huge thanks to Durti Stetter with Durti Timing for keeping us on track—they have been with us three years in a row and we hope they’re coming back next year as well! ⏱️ Thank you to our awesome DJ John T. Nichols (Rated R For Recovery) for keeping the energy pumpin' 🎵, our Lead Bike Troy Conner🚴, local Pastor Jim Darling from The Way outdoor Calvary Chapel for opening us up in the Word from our Lord, Heidi Johnson for her Beautiful rendition of the National Anthem 🎤🇺🇸, Jim Austin for capturing every moment with his photography 📸, “ARIA” for handing out FREEZE 🥶 POPS to all our participants and the Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA team for traveling all the way down from Tampa to support our event! 🚔🌴
~First Responders & Medical Team: A huge thank you to the Emergency Medical team, First Responders, and ambulance crew who were on site and available to keep everyone safe—stepping up so quickly with so much care when medical attention was needed on the route. 🚑🩺❤️
* Clean-Up Crew: Thank you to everyone who stayed behind to clear the park, especially Jen Murphy DeFusco, who stayed until the very end to make sure everything was completely taken care of and ran a full double check! 🧹✨
HIGHLIGHTS FROM AN UNFORGETTABLE DAY: ✨
* Unstoppable Love: One of the most Heart-Wrenching and Inspiring stories of the day was a mother named Faye. After taking a fall on the route and needing medical attention, she Absolutely Refused to quit. Her Fierce Love for her Daughter, Tonie, carried her all the way across that finish line. Seeing her Determination was a moment none of us will ever forget!!! 😭💔🏃‍♀️
* Speed & Future Leaders: Huge congrats to our overall 1st place finisher, Brandon Montage who killed it with just over 6-minute miles! 🏃‍♂️⚡ My son, Marcus Morgan, took 1st place in his division 🥇, and our new youth award categories were a hit—the crowd went wild for the little ones! We definitely want to see even more kids next year! 👶🏅
~Our Walkers & Supporters: To everyone who walked the 5K and 1 Mile Remembrance Walk 🌻 routes, your Presence, Passion, and Energy filled the entire park with Love, Hope, and Giant Smiles. You showed up with so much warmth, uplifting every Family member present and keeping the momentum going with every single step you took! 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️☀️
To all our participants: thank you so much for signing up and for your Grace and understanding regarding the medals. I will be in touch very soon with details on how we will get those to you! 🏅📦

Why we gather is simple: we come TOGETHER to fight the Stigma surrounding addiction, Support those currently in recovery, offer vital Resources so that NO ONE ever has to walk this painful path alone, and Honor our Heavenly Angels.

For Me Personally, the Best, Most Powerful part of the day was having family members come up with tears in their eyes, Thanking us for shining a Light on their Heavenly Angels. Our Angels are the true Heartbeat of this event—honoring their lives and keeping their memories Alive is why we do what we do! 🕯️👼💜

This event started because of my sister, Kelly, but she isn't the only reason we do this. I was so completely lost when all of that happened with Kelly Pierce Peterson, and my Heart's desire is to ensure that NO ONE else ever has to feel that kind of isolation or walk through that darkness alone. Kelly is the Heart behind every single step we take and to bring light to others, and keep all of our Angels' Memories alive. 🕊️🕯️💜🌻

I was completely whooped yesterday and am still resting up and spending time with my “other” Sister Laura Kocjancic and my niece Ellie Kocjancic but my Heart has never been fuller. Thank you all for making our 3rd annual so Deeply Special. 🤍💤 Thanks for traveling all the way from PA! 🙌💋🥰

And last, but certainly not least, I have to give a huge Thank You to my husband, Tony, for putting up with my crazy self for the past six months as we got this whole thing ready and together! I couldn't have done it without you! ❤️🔒🥰 Love You❣️

08/27/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JGFqUUk9g/?mibextid=wwXIfr

08/26/2026

🚗💨 EARLY PACKET PICKUP & FREE CAR WASH TOMORROW! 🚗💨
Skip the race morning line and roll in with a shiny clean ride!
* 📍 Where: Tommy’s Express Car Wash (19010 Murdock Cir, Port Charlotte)
* ⏰ When: Wednesday, August 26 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
* 🧼 The Perk: Grab your bib FIRST, then get your FREE car wash! Giant shoutout to Tommy's Express Car Wash for taking care of our community! 🙌✨

There’s still time to register! Don’t miss out! https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/OADAY5K

👠👟 "SHOE US THE LOVE" DROP-OFF
Lighten your race-day bag—bring your shoe donations tomorrow!
* 📦 What: ANY shoes (Men’s, Women’s, Kids) in good shape (no major rips/tears).
* 💜 Why: Every pound collected raises money to open Polly’s Promise—our new Christ-centered sober living home right here in Charlotte County!
Grab your shoes, get your bib, wash your car, and let’s get this party started! 🎉🥳

08/22/2026

💜 Big Race Updates: Packet Pickup & Shoe Drive Kickoff! 💜 1 week til Race day 🙌
We are officially gearing up for the Overdose Awareness 5K/1 Mile Remembrance Walk, and we’ve got all the details you need to get race-ready and make a huge difference!

1. Early Packet Pickup + Free Car Wash 🚗
When: Wednesday, August 26 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: 🌟 TOMMY’S EXPRESS CAR WASH 🌟 (19010 Murdock Cir, Port Charlotte)
Perk: Grab your packet first, and then treat your car to a FREE wash right after!

2. Race Day Packet Pickup 🏃‍♀️
When: Saturday, August 29 | 6:10 AM – 7:10 AM
Where: SOUTH COUNTY REGIONAL PARK (670 Cooper St, Punta Gorda)
Directions: Enter the park and drive all the way through until you hit a stop sign. Look to your left and you’ll see where the party is 🥳 getting started! We’ll be under The Pavillion!

If you haven’t signed up yet, you can do it right here https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/OADAY5K 🌻💜

3. "Shoe Us the Love" Shoe Drive 👠👟👞
Did you know Americans throw away an estimated 300 million pairs of shoes every year? Clean out your closets and bring them to the race on August 29th instead! We are accepting ALL types of shoes—men’s, women’Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRIots, sandals, dress shoes, etc.—just no heavy wear, rips, or tears, please).
We are partnering with Funds2Orgs to support the Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRI, and the funds raised directly support opening the Polly’s Promise home—a dedicated residential Sober living home helping women rebuild, restore, and transform their lives through Christ-centered living. 🙏

How Your Shoe Donations Change Lives:
Zero Cost to You: You help raise vital funds to open the residential home without spending a dime!
Global Empowerment: In impoverished communities, shoes are critical for transportation to work and school. Your donated shoes become inventory for small, family-owned micro-enterprises in developing nations, giving business owners the opportunity to earn a living wage and support their families.
Eco-Friendly Impact: Repurpose shoes as a socially responsible alternative to adding to local landfills.
U.S. Job Creation: Supports shoe drive operations and employment right here in the U.S.

Bring a pair (or five!), grab your bib, and let's step up together! 🌻🦋
Learn more about how micro-enterprise empowers communities worldwide: https://funds2orgs.com/what-is-micro-enterprise/

08/21/2026

🚨 TODAY IS NATIONAL FENTANYL PREVENTION AND AWARENESS DAY 🚨

Today, Communities across the Nation are Uniting with Facing Fentanyl National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day August 21 and the DEA in a Powerful National Movement to Confront the Deadliest Drug Crisis in American History—Standing Together Against the Most Lethal Threat Our Country Has Ever Faced. 🕊️💜

This 5th Anniversary centers on the theme "Power of the Parent," recognizing the Fierce, Unstoppable Strength of Families who turn their Deepest Grief into Relentless Action to Educate Communities, Drive Change, and Save Lives. 🌟✨
Over 7,000 Precious Souls make up the national Faces of fentynal Memorial Exhibit at DEA Headquarters in Washington. Among those thousands of Beautiful Faces is my Sweet Sister, KELLY❣️🌻

Seeing KELLY Honored on that National Stage breaks my Heart all over again, but it also LIGHTS A FIRE in me!!! Both of our Parents had already passed away before we lost KELLY, and carrying her Legacy forward falls on me! Standing up year after year and walking this Path is a Sacred Promise I carry in the Very Core of my Soul! ❤️‍🩹

I will NEVER stop speaking KELLY’S name. I will NEVER stop Fighting to Save Other Families from this Heartbreak, and I will ALWAYS be a Voice for those who can no longer Speak for Themselves!!!🕯️💜

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times more potent than he**in. Just two milligrams—the size of a few grains of salt—is enough to end a life. Counterfeit pills and laced substances are taking our Loved Ones without warning ⚠️ Fentanyl does not discriminate. Every single photo in that exhibit represents a Real, Irreplaceable Human Life—a Son, a Daughter, a Brother, a Sister, a Parent, a Best Friend—someone who was DEEPLY LOVED and is FOREVER MISSED‼️
As we prepare for our upcoming Overdose Awareness 5K/1-mile Remembrance Walk, we are taking Action to Protect our Community! Everyone who signs up for our event will receive NARCAN—the Life-Saving Medication that can Reverse an Overdose and Save a Life. Education and Prevention are KEY 🔑 and having Narcan in Every Home can mean the difference between Life and Death!!! 💊🛡️💜
We hold KELLY and ALL of our Precious Angels Extra Close to our Hearts today. We will NOT stop Shining a Light into the Darkness. 🕊️👟✨
One Nation. One Fight. Facing Fentanyl. Together. 🤝💜 if you haven’t signed up already, please consider supporting us! https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/OADAY5K

08/20/2026

THANK YOU TO THE DEAN FAMILY 💜🕊️✨

When it comes to Honoring An Angel, the Dean Family shows us all what True Family Devotion looks like❣️ Every single year, this Incredible Family comes together in Deep Love and Remembrance of their Beloved Sister, Leslie Dean. 🌸💜🕊️
Originally from Ohio, they even hold their own little fundraiser up north to supply funds and Support for our Annual Overdose Awareness 5K & 1-Mile Remembrance Walk! Their Outstanding Generosity, Endless Love, and Pure Kindness for Leslie is something that I wish All Families did!!! 🕯️✨💖
This is what this event is all about. It is a true “Family Affair”—a Safe, Loving Space to come together, wrap our arms around one another, Honor Our Loved Ones, and Say Their Names Out Loud so that they are NEVER forgotten! 🗣️💜🫂✨

On behalf of Cathy's Place of Charlotte County, Drug Free Charlotte County & Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRI, we send a Big Huge THANK YOU to the entire “Leslie Dean Family” for your Amazing Hearts and Continuous Support! We look forward to seeing you all and standing beside you at the event! 🙏💜🌺

🚨 SIGN UP & SUBMIT YOUR ANGELS TODAY! ⏰🌻💜
Please Make Sure That You Sign Up For The Event right away! 🏃‍♀️💨👟✨

You can still submit your Angels to be placed on Sunflowers around the Remembrance Walk course! 🌻🕊️✨! 🖨️⚡💜
📲 CLICK THE LINK BELOW TO REGISTER & SUBMIT YOUR ANGELS: https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/OADAY5K 💻📲✨
Let’s come together in Pure Love, support one another, and show up in a Big Way for our Community! 💜🌟🌻🫂

🌻💜🕊️

08/19/2026

HONORING FELICIA CLARKE (12/4/78 – 3/5/26) 💜🕊️✨
When I opened Gina Hatch’s email about her little sister, “Felicia Clarke,” it hit me right in the heart. ❤️ Felicia passed away just months ago on March 5th at 47 years old—the exact same age my own sister was when we lost her. Reading Gina’s words, I felt that Fierce, Aching Sisterly Love Sooo Deeply!!! It’s a pain and a bond that I know all too well. 💔🫂
Gina wrote about how much Felicia meant to Everyone around her. She was a natural caretaker—full of life, with a room-filling, contagious laugh, and those silly little quirks and rituals that made spending time with her Unforgettable!!! She was a night owl who preferred grocery shopping in the middle of the night, and she loved company, so her kids or family would always tag along for those late-night runs. 🛒🌙
Felicia was a devoted Mom to 3 daughters, a doting Grandmother to 4 beautiful grandchildren, a loving Daughter, a Sister, and a Faithful Friend. 🌸✨
While Felicia fought a long struggle with addiction and her loss brought unbearable tragedy, the love her Family holds for her will NEVER end. Grief and heartbreak sit beside loss, but Love ALWAYS holds the final word!💜🕊️
Gina, her Daughters, and their Family will be walking with us on August 29th to speak Felicia's name, Celebrate In Spirit, and keep her Memory Shining Bright! 💫 To Gina and her family—and to EVERY family who has trusted us with an Angel—Thank You from the bottom of my heart. It is a Sacred Privilege to walk beside you. 🌻🕊️💜
🚨 SUBMIT YOUR ANGELS — ONLY A COUPLE DAYS LEFT! ⏰
If you have an Angel you want honored at our Annual Overdose Awareness 5K & 1-Mile Remembrance Walk, Please Submit Them Right Away! 🕊️💜
We only have a couple of days left before we have to send EVERYTHING off to print so it will be ready in time for the event! 🖨️⚡
🏃‍♀️💨 REGISTER TODAY & SECURE YOUR T-SHIRT! https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/OADAY5K
🚨 IMPORTANT SHIRT UPDATE: Official event T-shirts are selling out FAST! If you want to secure your specific size, please Register Right Away before supplies run out! 👕⚡

Let’s come together, wrap our arms around one another, and show up in a BIG WAY for our community! 💜🌟

Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative CRI

09/01/2026

08/31/2026

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

08/22/2026

08/21/2026

08/20/2026

08/19/2026

Address

Website

Alerts

Shortcuts

Share

Category

Listing takedown request