Volume 2, Issue 12
Punta Gorda Housing Authority
December 2013
CATCH THE BREEZE
The True Meaning of Christmas
INSIDE THIS
ISSUE:
Mobile Food Pantry
2
Frontline Providers
2
Community Christmas
Events in Punta Gorda
2
From Our Recipe Book
3
Presidential Christmas
Tree Facts
3
Deck the Halls
3
Calendar of Events
4
Links to Resources
4
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Dr. Harry J. Agabedis
Chairman
Steve Fabian
Vice Chairman
Wanda Boggs
Commissioner
Nancy Kraus
Commissioner
Ron Monck
Commissioner
John Murdock
Commissioner
Melody Washington
Commissioner
Loraine Helber
Executive Director
It's that time of year again.
December has come and
with it all the joys of
Christmas. But what is the
real meaning of Christmas?
Is it the gifts under the tree,
the lights in the windows,
the cards in the mail, turkey
dinners with family and
friends, snow in the yard,
stockings hanging in the
living room, and shouts of
"Merry Christmas" to those
who pass us in the streets?
Is this really Christmas?
For many people, Christmas
is a time of sorrow. They
don't have the extra money
to buy presents for their
children, family, and friends.
Many are saddened at
Christmastime when they
think of their loved ones who
will not be able to come
home for various reasons.
Turkey dinners may be only
a wish and not a reality for
some.
Yet, Christmas can be a
season of great joy. It is a time
of God showing His great love
for us. It can be a time of
healing and renewed strength.
You see, Christmas is when
we celebrate the birth of the
Christ child.
We can truly be happy at
Christmas! No matter what
may be happening, Look at
Christmas in a new way this
year.
“Christmas is not a time nor
a season, but a state of
mind. To cherish peace and
goodwill, to be plenteous in
mercy, is to have the real
spirit of Christmas”.
~ Calvin Coolidge
Holiday Festivities
The Punta Gorda Housing Authority, Gulf Breeze Apartments and Family Home Health Services
want to invite our Senior/Disabled Adult residents to a “Jingle Bells” Luncheon on Wednesday,
December 18, 2013 at 12:30 p.m. in the Jean Farino Community Center. (See attached flyer for
more information)
Holiday Decorating Contest – Thursday – December 19, 2013 @ “Dusk”. The Punta Gorda
Housing Authority is again sponsoring a Holiday Decorating Contest for the residents of both Gulf
Breeze Apartments and Oak Tree Village. Please see attached flyer for more information.
The Punta Gorda Housing Authority, Gulf Breeze Apartments and Family Home Health Services
invite our young residents (to be accompanied by an adult) to join them in having “Breakfast with
Santa and Mrs. Claus” on Monday, December 23, 2013 @ 8:30 a.m. in the Jean Farino
Community Center. Sit on Santa’s lap in front of the Community Christmas Tree and get your
picture taken. Please see attached flyer for more information.
CATCH THE BREEZE
Page 2
Mobile Food Pantry
The
Bank will
providing
Catholic
lay organization founded
MarkHarry
your Chapin
calendarFood
to change
the be
world,
one randominternational
act of kindness
at a time.
free food to needy families and individuals in
in 1833 to serve the poor, regardless of
Charlotte County on Friday, December 20,
religious affiliation.
2013 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 Noon at the
Sacred Heart Church. The Sacred Heart
Catholic Church is located on the corner of U.S.
41 South and W. Charlotte Avenue. The
pantry is being hosted by the Sacred Heart
Conference of St. Vincent de Paul, an
Frontline Providers
Who are frontline
providers?
Front line providers are a diverse
set of non-profit human service
agencies that provide direct
services that support at-risk
families.
futures for children and families
across the Charlotte County
community.
As the human services
environment changes, the Punta
Gorda Housing Authority (PGHA)
Charlotte County Human
and Gulf Breeze Apartments
Services developed and
maintains a list of agencies that (GBA) see the need to educate its
most effectively meet the needs residents as to the resources
available to them throughout
of today’s most vulnerable
children and families in Charlotte Charlotte County.
County.
As a service to our residents,
PGHA and GBA, in partnership
The staff of these agencies
with Charlotte County Human
work diligently to build better
Services, are providing the most
updated list of frontline
providers in Charlotte
County.
Please see the attached list
which is being provided in
both English and Spanish.
Also being provided is a list
of the most current food
pantries available in Charlotte
County.
“Even the smallest act of
caring for another person
is like a drop of water - it
will make ripples
throughout the entire
pond…”
~ Jessy and Bryan Matteo
Community Christmas Events in
Punta Gorda
th
Charlotte County Chamber’s 35 Annual Christmas Parade
On Saturday, December 14, 2013 at 12:00 Noon. The parade will run from Charlotte High
School, up Taylor to the Event Center. The parade theme this year is “Christmas Through
the Eyes of a Child”.
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce Lighted Boat Parade
The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Annual Lighted Board Parade on Sunday,
December 15, 2013. The Boat Parade will start at “Dusk” – Location – Peace River.
Page 3
CATCH THE BREEZE
From Our Recipe Book – Overnight Raisin
French Toast
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Cover and bake at 350° for
30 minutes.
1 loaf (1 pound) cinnamon raisin
bread, cubed
1 package (8 ounces) cream
cheese, cubed
8 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
½ cup sugar
½ cup of maple syrup
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Place half of the bread cubes
in a greased 13-in. x 9-in.
baking dish. Top with cream
cheese and remaining bread.
Uncover, bake 15-20
minutes longer or until a
knife inserted near the
center comes out clean.
In a large bowl, whisk the
remaining ingredients. Pour
over top. Cover and
refrigerate overnight.
Yields: 12 servings
Remove from the refrigerator
30 minutes before baking.
Presidential Christmas Tree Facts
Did You Know……
In 1856 Franklin Pierce, the
th
14 President of the United
States, was the first President
to place a Christmas tree in
the White House.
In 1902 Teddy Roosevelt
banned the Christmas tree
from the White House for
environmental reasons.
In 1923 President Coolidge
started the National Christmas
Tree Lighting Ceremony on the
White House Lawn.
In 1963, the national
Christmas tree was not lit until
nd
December 22 , because of a
national 30-day period of
mourning following the
assassination of President
Kennedy.
From 1948 to 1951,
President Truman spent
Christmas at his home in
Independence, Missouri,
and lit the National
Community Christmas Tree
by remote control.
In 1979, the National
Christmas tree was not lit
except the top ornament. This
was done to honor the
American hostages in Iran.
In 1984, the National
Christmas tree was lit on
th
December 13 with the
temperatures in the 70’s,
making it one of the
warmest tree lightings in
history.
Deck the Halls….. or Just Your Front Entrance
The Punta Gorda Housing Authority is again sponsoring a Holiday Decorating Contest for the
residents of both Gulf Breeze Apartments and Oak Tree Village. (See attached flyer)
Join other residents as they share their holiday spirit for the upcoming Christmas Season.
As in previous years, if you are a senior or disabled resident and need assistance hanging any
lights or decorations, please don’t hesitate to contact Paula at 639-4344, Ext. 407.
This year the winners will be chosen on their “Creativity”. Judging will be done by independent
judges who will award one household at both locations - Gulf Breeze Apartments and Oak Tree
Village for the “Most Creative” entrance way. Judges will be here on Thursday, December 19,
2013. Please make sure that your lights (if you have any) are turned on at “Dusk”.
Winners will be notified on Monday, December 23, 2013.
Page 4
Punta Gorda
Housing Authority
CATCH THE BREEZE
EVENT CALENDAR
340 Gulf Breeze Avenue
Punta Gorda, FL 33950
Phone: 941-639-4344
Fax: 941-639-1753
Email:
[email protected]
th
OUR MISSION:
“Providing quality, affordable
housing that is decent, well
maintained and free from drugs and
violent crime.”
The Punta Gorda Housing Authority
is committed to “Serving our
residents with the highest degree of
professional courtesy, empathy and
respect.”
Board of Commissioners
Upcoming Board Meetings’
Schedule
January 16, 2014
February 20, 2014
March 20, 2014
April 17, 2014
May 15, 2014
June 19, 2014
Please Note: Future Board
meetings could be cancelled due to
a lack of a quorum.
Merry Christmas
Everyone…..
Saturday – December 14, 2013 – 35 Annual Christmas Parade
Sunday – December 15, 2013 – Christmas Light Boat Parade
Thursday – December 19, 2013 @ “Dusk” – Holiday Decorating Judging
Wednesday – December 18, 2013 @ 12:30 – Jingle Bells Luncheon
Monday – December 23, 2013 @ 8:30 a.m. – Breakfast with Santa
The Punta Gorda Housing Authority Office will be CLOSED:
Wednesday – December 25. 2013
Thursday – December 26, 2013
Friday – December 27, 2013
Wednesday - January 1, 2014
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!
LINKS TO COMMUNITY SERVICES
Linking Families and Adults to Community Resources
Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, Inc.
1-877-703-5267 OR (941) 639-8300,
(Ext. 221 to speak with someone)
Provides assistance with the following:

Community Mental Health

Outpatient Counseling

Substance Abuse Program
(Recovery Center and
Criminal/Juvenile Justice (Drug
Court))

Therapeutic Family Care

Case Management

Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU)

Court Ordered Dependency
Parenting Class – 10 weeks (Must
have referral through Lutheran
Services)

Healthy Start Care Coordination –
347-6460
A statewide program designed to
help women have healthier
babies, reduce infant mortality, and
help children get off to a healthy start.



In addition to linkage to resources,
the following can be provided to
program participants:
Smoking Cessation – 833-6225
Parenting Education – 347-6460
Psychosocial Counseling – 3476460
Charlotte County Fire & EMS
(941) 833-5600
Website: www.charlotte countyfl.com
Provides Child Safety Seat Program
Edgewater United Methodist Church
(941) 625-3039
Food pantry, fresh vegetables, haircuts,
medical screenings, Resume assistance, pet
food, job application information, Food Stamp
Applications, NA/AA/Alanon & much more.