Burnt Store Presbyterian Church Pastor Jaco Bester with John Davidson of Crossroads Hope Academy. COURTESY PHOTOS
Celebration to honor county’s longest-serving pastor
In 1980, the Rev. Dr. Carl F. Brooks took the helm of First Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Punta Gorda. He is still shepherding the same flock, making him the longest-serving pastor at the same church in Charlotte County. Under his leadership, the church has experienced growth from many innovative programs established through his vision. To commemorate his years of service, the community is invited to a 43rd anniversary celebration on Sunday, Feb. 19, at First Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, 411 E. Charlotte Ave., Punta Gorda.
Scholarships offered from wildlife society
Application deadline is March 31 for several scholarships amounting to more than $20,000 from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge. Ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 each, the scholarships are available to high school seniors, college students and graduate students in or from Charlotte, Lee, Collier, Hendry and Glades counties pursuing degrees in environmental-related studies.
DDWS will award the scholarships at a special ceremony at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island in June (if hurricane recovery efforts allow).
Now in its 17th year, the DDWS scholarship program presented its first awards in 2006, donated by Tarpon Bay Explorers, the refuge’s official recreation concession. To date, the program has awarded more than $233,000.
Interested students can find more information and printable application forms at www.dingdarlingsociety.org/articles/ student-scholarships.
To learn more about the scholarship program and establishing a permanently endowed scholarship, contact Birgie Miller at 239-292-0566 or director@dingdarlingsociety.org.
Presbyterian church celebrates 40th anniversary with pledge to local charity
In celebration of its 40th anniversary, Burnt Store Presbyterian Church, 11330 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda, announced plans to launch a fundraising effort for the largest single gift to a charity in the church’s history. The recipient is Crossroads Hope Academy, a foster home for boys who have failed multiple placements in the Florida foster care system.
Students in environmental studies can receive scholarships from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society.
Commenting on the gift, John Davidson, executive director at Crossroads, said, “Our dream, when we purchased this new property, was to eventually build a second structure — and this will surely provide a big start on our efforts to construct an all-purpose space for our boys to gather, to game and to grow as responsible young men.”
The main Crossroads campus is a 20-acre home and school located on the northeast corner of Babcock Ranch Wilderness Preserve in Charlotte County. The second location, opened in 2022, is a 13,000-square-foot home situated on 5 acres close to downtown Punta Gorda. With the opening of a campus in Punta Gorda, the church renews its commitment to be available to provide support and love.
Burnt Store Presbyterian Church was one of the founding supporters of Crossroads Hope Academy when it began nearly 40 years ago.
According to Pastor Jaco Bester, “With both organizations completing their fourth decade in service to the community, this fundraising goal of $40,000 seemed a most appropriate effort to celebrate the milestone.”
To mark the special occasion of their 40th anniversary, Burnt Store Presbyterian Church has also planned various special worship services and family-friendly events to take place throughout the year. Former pastors will be returning to lead worship several times during the spring. A fall festival is planned for the community in November.
For more information, contact the church office at 941-639-0001 or see www.bspconline.org.
United Way receives $38K grant from Truist
Truist Foundation has provided a $38,000 grant to United Way of Charlotte County to support Hurricane Ian response and relief efforts.
“We are sincerely grateful to Truist Foundation for seeing the need and stepping up to respond in a significant way,” said Angie Matthiessen, executive director of United Way of Charlotte County. “The generosity of this grant will allow us to give hope to individuals and families who are trying to rebuild after Hurricane Ian.”
The grant will support the work of United Way of Charlotte County in administering assistance to residents of Charlotte County who were impacted by Hurricane Ian.
“Truist is a company committed to care and we recognize that communities are still recovering from Hurricane Ian,” said Iwan Mohamed, west Florida regional president for Truist. “Our partnership and financial support of United Way of Charlotte County will further aid in ongoing relief efforts and is another way we fulfill Truist’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities.”
Individuals in need of Hurricane Ian-related resources and assistance can find information at www.unitedwayccfl.org/ian.
United Way of Charlotte County mobilizes the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty by bringing together local agencies, corporations, donors, volunteers and government to create lasting social change. Its work and its investments stay right here, supporting thousands of people every year.
For more information about United Way Charlotte County, see www.United- Wayccfl.org or call 941-627-3539.
The Truist Foundation is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. Established in 2020, the foundation makes strategic investments in nonprofit organizations to help ensure the communities it serves have more opportunities for a better quality of life. The Truist Foundation’s grants and activities focus on building career pathways to economic mobility and strengthening small businesses.
For more information, see www.Truist.com/Foundation. ¦
