Hookers present $12,000 to Pine Island Elementary
Thursday night the Matlacha Hookers held its general meeting at the Elks Club. After brief remarks from Madam DJ Ruscik and the pledge of allegiance, Ruscik announced where the Pine Island Fishing Tournament and Derby funds would be donated.
“Last month we decided what to do with the proceeds from the Pine Island Elementary Fishing Tournament and Derby,” Ruscik said. “Sandy Kerr was the chair and I co-chaired with Sandy and it all benefits the children. Rob Mazzoli gave us a wish list and we are very proud and tickled to announce that your wish list is going to be fulfilled.’
She continued, “And in addition to that, I just wanted you to know our commitment that started with Madam Arlene (Stornello) to not only donate to the school for the benefit of the children of Pine Island Elementary but we’re also setting aside some funds to donate for the teachers. That amount will be revealed in January. But, at this time, the Matlacha Hookers as a whole, it gives us great pride and a lot of pleasure to present Pine Island Elementary with a check for $12,000.”
“I just want to thank you all so, so much,” Principal Mazzoli said. “What we do at the school is such amazing things for our children. But without your support, it’s just not possible. Not only your monetary donations, but your support in the community that means so much to all of us. To all the teachers, all the staff, all the children and all the families.
“Today we had a staff meeting and I shared something,” Mazzoli said. “This is how special Pine Island Elementary is and here’s how good we are as a school throughout the entire state of Florida. We received a letter from the governor’s office, from Governor Scott himself, congratulating us on our performance from the last school year. Out of 1,780 schools in the state of Florida Pine Island Elementary was ranked 130!
“To have a letter personally from the governor to recognize that not only says a lot about what our teachers and our children do but what our community does in support of our school,” he continued. “So with that I thank you on behalf of all of our staff at Pine Island Elementary for your continued support.”