Beacon of HOPE open house Aug. 11
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. will hold an open house Tuesday, Aug. 11, to present the plans for the Community Learning Center at their new building at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City. The open house will runs from 4-7 p.m.
Sandwiches will be provided by Saltwater Smokehouse ($5 per person).
“The Beacon of H.O.P.E. is planning quarterly open houses,” president Elsie Stearns said. “This one, on Aug.11, is a ‘White Linen Crystal Sale.’ This open house is all about the plans for finishing the Community Learning Canter located in the center of the building.
“This is a true collaboration of all the Beacon groups working together to make this a successful day,” Stearns said. “The SPIRIT kids and the SAS kids and the GED students are going to decorate the area that will become the Community Learning Center. Also the SPIRIT kids will use this as part of their community service project. They’re planning face-painting, reading, games and they are going to bake cookies to sell. It should be a really fun day.”
“When we started the program in 2009, we had just five students and today we have over 40 students each week,” executive director Betsy Haesemeyer said. “The students meet every Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. at the Pine Island United Methodist Church. Students Achieving Success provides students with opportunities to utilize concepts taught in class like critical thinking and team building skills. Teachers and parents have been reporting positive results from the SAS program.
“Finishing the Learning Center at the new building will enable us to have all of our services under one roof,” Haesemeyer said. “All donations, no matter how big or small, are tax deductible.”
An anonymous Beacon of H.O.P.E supporter has agreed to provide the organization with up to $30,000 in matching funds for the Beacon’s Community Learning Center. For every dollar raised (up to $30,000) the donor will contribute a matching amount.
The Learning Center, to be located in the central portion of the Beacon of H.O.P.E.’s new building, will require a total of $120,000 in renovations. By “matching” the $30,000 donation, islanders will have paid for half of the total needed to complete the Learning Center.
The Beacon of H.O.P.E. was created in the aftermath of Hurricane Charley more than 10 years ago to assist islanders with their immediate needs: food, water, clothing, etc. Since that time the Beacon has grown to offer services to every age group on the island from children to seniors.
“That’s what the Beacon does,” Haesemeyer said. “The Learning Center serves a wide variety of programs for young and older island residents and provide opportunities to make life better.”
“The ‘White linen Crystal sale”‘ will be lots of fun for everyone,” Stearns said. “We want to invite everyone to stop by on Aug. 11 between 4-7 p.m. We are planning raffles and will also have 50 percent off most items in the Attic.”
Those wishing to help, please make checks payable to the Beacon of H.O.P.E. Pine Island, designate the Community Leaning Center, and mail them to 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St. James City, FL 33956. Questions or comments can be directed to Haesemeyer at 239-283-5123.