GPICCA learns more about island services
Members representing several charitable service organizations were the guest speakers at this month’s Greater Pine Island Civic Association meeting. Spokespersons from FISH, the Pine Island Food Pantry, the Beacon and HOPE, the Matlacha Hookers and Matlacha Mariners each took the floor to share with attendees their missions and accomplishments.
The first to speak to the group was Food Pantry President Jim Fox who expressed his thanks and shared his growing concerns.
“I have just recently become president and of the Food Pantry and I must say that the volunteers are a wonderful group of people who genuinely care about the people who come to us in need. Many of these people are coming to us for the first time and are often embarrassed, but our volunteers always make them feel at ease and comfortable with reassuring words,” said Fox. “The need at the pantry continues to grow and with the help of our community, we are still able to meet these needs. Thanks to the generosity of Winn-Dixie, the island churches, and organizations like the Hookers, we have not had to turn anyone away who was in need of our help. Nobody leaves the pantry without food.”
Fox also said that the pantry also assists in providing holiday meals and lunches for students throughout the year.
Kent Hienz, a long-time volunteer for FISH, referred to his organization as a “lifeline” for many island seniors.
“At this time, approximately 90 percent of our calls are from regular clients. Much of our assistance comes in the form of medical equipment loans, check-in visits for those who are house bound, respite visits for unpaid caregivers and transportation for those who can no longer drive, but we do go beyond these needs,” Hienz said. “We also provide emergency financial assistance with rent and utility bills, however, these are generally a one time only payment and we work with our clients to help them get long-term assistance by working with the Beacon. We have several organizations on the island to lend a helping hand and it is wonderful that each group is fulfilling specific needs yet work very closely with each other to see that needs are met.”
Representing the Beacon of HOPE were executive director, Betsy Hesemeyer and president, Elise Stearns. Both Hesemeyer and Stearns provided information about the direction the Beacon has adopted since its inception after Hurricane Charley.
“We see ourselves as the organization who fills in the gaps. We work very closely with FISH and the Pantry to see to it that immediate needs are met and then we work on long-term solutions,” said Stearns. “Once a client comes to us, we assess those needs and take appropriate action whether it is applying for food stamps or preparing them for a job, however, much like the pantry, this need continues to grow. In the month on January alone, we saw 395 clients, so, by teaming up with the United Way, we have opened up a lot more doors and funding for these clients. When I think of our clients, I see them as a lot of good people going through very bad times and with the help of other organizations, we are helping to get them back on their feet.”
Hesemeyer presented several new services that have been adopted by the Beacon in recent months.
“At his time we have three new services that we are providing at the Beacon. The first is through AARP. This program is for people over 55 and are living on Social Security alone, which we all know these days is not enough. This program provides training in new skills so that these people can go back into the job market to earn more money,” Hesemeyer said. “We also are currently working with the Salvation Army to establish a health care clinic here on the island. This clinic would provide routine health maintenance, not emergency care, for no or low cost to those who are uninsured. One of our shining recent accomplishments however is our SAS program. At the Beacon we provide an after-school program for kids who need a little extra encouragement which is provided by mentors and enrichment programs. It is our hope that these children will go on to be better students and not fall through the drop out cracks. We also are currently looking into providing GED classes here as well to help those who need to get their high school diploma. Between these two programs, it is our hope that these people will go on to be successful in the workforce.”
Referring to herself as the “founding mother” of the Matlacha Hookers, Nancy Goodwin said her group also has a strong focus on education.
“Just 12 years ago, a few ladies met at Bert’s Bar and decided they wanted to make a positive difference in our community. It was decided then that we would hold a fishing tournament to benefit the library at the elementary school. In those days, the library only had one wall of books and that first year we were able to raise $4,000,” Goodwin said. “Since that time we have donated more than $100,000 to the school and in addition to a fully stocked library, our funds have been used to purchase computers, playground equipment and the latest technology in Smart Boards. Our school is one of the best equipped in the county, thanks to the support the Hookers get from the Pine Island and Matlacha community.”
Among the smallest, yet perhaps hardest-working service organizations, is the Matlacha Mariners.
“We began in 2002 as a drinking organization with a charity problem and since that time we have given $100,000 back to the Pine Island community through our fund-raising efforts,” said Mariner vice president, Jim Roach. “Our group hosts three major fund raisers each year and the money raised is allocated to other service organizations. Because we did not have the means to distribute funds to the needy on our own, we decided to donate our funds to FISH, the Beacon, the Food Pantry and the summer camp program at the Matlacha Park. In addition, we also support the music program at the Pine Island Elementary School. We understand that many people are not happy that we have had to move two of our events to off-island locations, but the up side is that even though the events are held in the Cape, all the money we raise comes back to the island.”
Each of the speakers also reminded attendees of the meeting that their services or funds benefit Pine Island and Matlacha residents only.
All of the organizations speaking at the meeting expressed that the greatest need was volunteers and members. Following is the contact information for each of these organizations:
— Pine Island Food Pantry: 246-0039
— Beacon of HOPE: 283-5123
— FISH: 283-4442
— Matlacha Hookers: matlachahookers .org
— Matlacha Mariners: matlachamariners .org