April 2023
Clean Water! Why We Care.
Clean water is essential to the quality of life here in Charlotte County, for both humans and wildlife. Can you imagine Punta Gorda’s canals and Charlotte Harbor reeking from the pungent odor of smelly algae blooms? It’s not a pretty picture. How we behave now, and in the future, will have long-term implications. CEO Nancy Johnson, pictured here at a recent TEAM mixer, explains what our community is doing about it.

A Great 2023 Pedal and Play
Four hundred plus cyclists pedaled and played in Punta Gorda in March. Co-Chairs Deb Hoyt and Darcy Hanley reported an enthusiastic turnout. Assisted by dozens of volunteers, it was an exciting day with perfect weather. Thanks to the generous support of 39 event sponsors including Waste Management, Suncoast Beverage, and Harbor Scoops a good time was had by all participants. In addition to cycling around the beautiful greater Punta Gorda area, riders enjoyed yoga, massages, raffles, and fun games.

Photos by Jim Austin (top), Scott Johnson (below) and other volunteers.
2023 TEAM Golf Scramble
“The weather was perfect, and you could feel the enthusiasm in the air from the players and volunteers,” reported 2023 TEAM Golf Chair Betsy Spagnolo. “The morning was hectic as all players registered, had breakfast, and received promotional items from community sponsors. Shotgun start, and they were off!” This annual fundraiser is critical to the support of TEAM's efforts. Make plans now to scramble on April 14, 2023
Golfers John Boulet, Jimmy Laplante, Paul Ponkratz and Shannon Allcock.
Water Quality Test Program Volunteer Call to Action
Florida Sea Grant Charlotte County is seeking volunteers to participate in the 4th Annual Eyes on Seagrass Citizen Science Monitoring Program to document the health of seagrass in upper Charlotte Harbor. It's not too late to join this important spring and/or summer project.
Water Quality Sea Grass
Busy Time for Bike Loaner Program Volunteers
TEAM bike volunteers have been busy. Program Chair Bill Welsch reports that the sudden loss of the Laishley Marina Bait & Tackle bike location was complicated by the arrival of 24 new yellow bikes ordered in the fall of 2021. But in short order, with the help of volunteers, the new bikes were assembled and put into service.

Helping to fill the gap from the loss of the marina site, both Four Points Sheraton Harborside and Springhill Suites added bikes to their fleets. Fishermen’s Village, which had been closed in the summer of 2021 for site renovations, reopened with 12 bikes. A fourth site with 4 bikes was opened in early April at Becky’s Garden Shoppe on Cross Street in Punta Gorda.
Once the smoke cleared, TEAM now has 4 sites with 36 bicycles, including a single trike and 1 hand-pedal bike. Pictured: some of the fleet visiting TT's Tiki Bar at the Four Points on Charlotte Harbor.

March 2023
Bill Welsch, Sean Carlson and Kevin Hogan deliver bikes to Fishville.

Paint Your Heart Out Returns November 18, 2023

Chair Barry Simescu reports that TEAM volunteers will paint 5 Port Charlotte homes in a single day for the Peace River Community Housing Project. Stay tuned to learn more this summer. Updates will be posted on our Facebook page.
Thank you 2023 Friends of TEAM
Our 2023 Friends of TEAM campaign still needs your generous support. Your contributions have helped us replace yellow loaner bikes which have aged out and cover some of the costs of individual projects that are not completely funded by event sponsors.
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. Visit us on Facebook! Please remember to support our TEAM Platinum sponsors:
TEAM 2015 Small