The Club's Charity and Education Foundation met and approved seven grants to community groups the last week in March. Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you Rotarians for making these grants possible! Southern Technical College will receive $400 for the tool project that Rotarian and Vocation Director Ed Davis...
The Club's Charity and Education Foundation met and approved seven grants to community groups the last week in March. Congratulations to all the recipients and thank you Rotarians for making these grants possible!
- Southern Technical College will receive $400 for the tool project that Rotarian and Vocation Director Ed Davis has developed. The funds will go toward purchase and signage on a Rotary Tool Chest to house donated tools. Ed will also be joining the HVAC's public advisory committee.
- Charlotte Re-Entry Initiative, Inc., for which Rotarians Craig Esterly and Polly Pierce both volunteer, will receive $1,500 for curriculum and class materials for re-entry classes at Charlotte County Prison and Charlotte County Jail.
- The Glistad Literacy Foundation receives $1,500 for book subscriptions for young children through the Charlotte County Imagination Library. Rotarians serve on the board of directors of the foundation.
- Girls on the Run, for which Rotarian Polly Pierce is a dedicated volunteer, receives $500 toward its scholarship program aimed at girls who would not otherwise be able to participate in this excellent empowerment program.
- The Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County receives $500 for its summer camp scholarship program, which will support one camper for the seven-week program.
- TEAM Punta Gorda will receive $250 in general support for its bicycle loan, community garden, Punta Gorda in bloom, and "Paint Your Heart Out" programs.
- Cathy's Place of Charlotte County & Drug Free Charlotte County's Overdose Awareness Day 5K fundraising race on Saturday, August 30th, receives $250. Rotarian Polly Pierce is the race director. Sign-ups are at https://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/OADAY5K.
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Punta Gorda Rotary Sends Four to RYLA!
By Paul F. Blaine
Our club's Youth Service program recently had four CHS students at RYLA. RYLA, an acronym for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, is our district's four-day leadership development program for high school students. It is held each year at the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, which is a beautiful setting...
Our club's Youth Service program recently had four CHS students at RYLA.
RYLA, an acronym for Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, is our district's four-day leadership development program for high school students. It is held each year at the Lake Placid Camp and Conference Center, which is a beautiful setting located about an hour northeast of Punta Gorda. RYLA's program includes activities and speakers to enhance the leadership capabilities of its select group of participants.
Our club's RYLA delegates this year included: Angely Gongora, Gr. 10; Ana-Mel Fernandes, Gr. 11; and our club's inbound exchange student from Japan, Natsuki Asano, Gr. 11.
Our club was also represented by CHS senior Rian Twogood. Rian was one of our RYLA delegates last year, and was selected as a "Yellow Shirt" youth leader for this year's RYLA program. As most club members know, Rian has also been selected as a 2025-26 outbound Rotary Youth Exchange student. Rian will be living with host families and attending high school next year in Thailand!
Punta Gorda Rotarian Aryn Francis also served on RYLA's leadership team again this year. Aryn was a "Red Shirt" adult leader, and she also led a RYLA session about Rotary Youth Exchange. Aryn was a RYE student to Italy during the 2018-19 school year.
Angely, Ana-Mel, Natsu, and Rian are all active members of CHS Interact Club. Aryn is our club's liaison to CHS Interact, and she is also District 6960's Interact Chair.Read More
Rotary District 6960 Conference
NEW Fall Member Spotlights
By Barbara Boncompte
Aren't our members the best!
Thank you Babara for showcasing our members in a spotlight on Facebook. 
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