GULF HARBOUR
VOL. 24 NO. 11
Soundings
Another Seabreeze Publication
www.GulfHarbour33908.com
NOVEMBER 2023
President’s Letter At the September 25th meeting of the Gulf Harbour Master Association the Finance Committee reported that we are still in a very strong position. The following items of old business were discussed: • The Guardhouse painting and new roof are scheduled to start as planned. • We are still waiting on the correct fencing to repair the hurricane damage north of the main entrance. • The new fountain next to the 17th green will be installed soon.
• Westport paving will commence by the middle of October. • The Board is still negotiating with Osprey Point/ Sagamore to install the security fence. • The security system for the pedestrian entrances has been ordered. Entrance will be by FOB keys, for those that request them, at a minimal cost. Cameras, to communicate with the guards, will also be installed as needed. • According to our last survey, a vast majority of property owners would like to see the island rebuilt. A communication will soon be sent to them outlining the cost of this project. Thank you, Chris Cope, President
Holiday4Heroes “We Give Because They Give” Who Are We? Holiday4Heroes was founded in 2007 by Jonette Kessack, who owned a postage and wine store. This grassroots effort was started to fill a need to provide comfort and care to our deployed men and women all over the world. We are a group of team members, volunteers and business owners who had a desire to show our military that we remember them and appreciate their sacrifices for us. What Do We Do? What started as a holiday program, our first year sending 40 packages, became a yearround effort. We now send 100 to 200 comfort packages each month to our brave men and women, and 1,000 packages for our holiday mission. We have now sent almost a total of 20,000 packages. To fill the need at home we have added more programs for our community to serve our in-need and homeless veterans and their families. Additions To The Mission In 2019, we started our Backpack for Homeless and InNeed Veterans Program partnering with the VA and various homeless coalitions. Our backpacks are filled with personal care items, high protein snacks and information on where to get help. In 2020, we began distributing bulk food drops to our in-need veterans and their families through the VA food pantry. Gulf Harbour Soundings
In 2021 our local VA Clinic asked us if we could help fill a need in our community. We were asked if we could provide tents and water filtration bottles for our veterans who are losing their homes during the current housing crisis. In 2022 we realized that some of our Mission Make Merry Families, sometimes, need a little extra help for emergencies. When funds are available, we provide what we can to help our families get through these difficult times with a little less stress. Please read about some of the things we are doing for our families.
Mission Make Merry As the mission evolves, Holiday4Heroes supports our military families at home by giving them a Christmas filled with joy and less worries. Every year we provide a merrier Christmas for local military families, who may be going through some difficult times. These families are recommended to us through the VA. The first year we started with three families. Last year we were able to help 23 families. Fast forward to 2023, we are currently seeking donations and all the necessary trimmings to help our veterans’ families make their holiday season a little bit brighter. PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID FT MYERS FL PERMIT 751
Holiday4Heroes on page 6
2023 Festival Of Trees Thursday, Nov. 30 Through Sunday, Dec. 3 The 17th Annual Festival of Trees returns to the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center (SBDAC)! Experience the beautiful trees decorated by local business to raise money for Goodwill of Southwest Florida and SBDAC. See these gorgeous creations beginning for just $2 per person, beginning on Nov. 30. View trees, vote, and buy raffle tickets to win a tree! Raffle tickets: $10; 3 for $25; 10 for $50; 25 for $100. Festival Of Trees Viewing Times Thursday, Nov. 30 – 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1 – 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 – 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3 – 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
2023 Festival Of Trees Event Information Preview Party: Wednesday, Nov. 29, 6 To 8 p.m. Come be one of the first to see the beautifully decorated trees for the 17th Annual Festival of Trees! You are cordially invited to attend the official Festival of Trees Preview Party on Wednesday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. Delectable hors d’oeuvres will be served alongside a cash bar. Check out all the goodies under the trees and pick your favorite while enjoying cheery holiday music! Only $50 per person! Love the trees and all the presents beneath them? You can’t buy one, but you can try to win one! The first of the raffle tickets will be available to purchase during the Preview Party! Also come for the one night only silent auction! Winners take their prizes home at the end of the evening. Proceeds go toward programs for SBDAC and Goodwill Industries of Southwest Florida. Wine And Paint: Thursday, Nov. 30, 6 To 9 p.m. ’Tis the season to get creative with one of our favorite local artists, Dharma Lefevre! This talented and quirky elf is going to show you how to create a gorgeous wintery landscape in acrylic. This is not like other paint parties. Dharma will be teaching color theory, how to translate 2023 Festival Of Trees on page 7
IMPORTANT NOTICE! Please submit all articles, announcements, photos and events for Gulf Harbour Soundings to GulfHarbourReport@gmail.com by the 4th of the month preceding the month of publication.