hosts Swine Bowl to benefit GPIA

By PAULETTE LeBLANC

pleblanc@breezenewspapers com

O n S u n d a y , F e b . 1 2 , t h e

Greater Pine Island Alliance held a Super Bowl party and concert at Fine Swine Restaurant, in order to raise funds for island recovery

According to Jay Sanderson, approximately 500 people attended, including Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, who spoke on Pine Island updates at the county level

“It was a fun event for everyone to hang out and re-group a little bit,” Sanderson said GPIA would like to thank Fine S w i n e , t h e M a t l a c h a H o o k e r s , Bokeelia Custom Apparel, Mad Dogz Productions and Lee Hagen for their contributions to this event

The next fundraising concert will be March 18 at Fine Swine Restaurant featuring Tommy Barr, S t r a n g e A c o u s t i c s a n d B r o t h e r Love

PHOTOS PROVIDED

Jay Sanderson, Commissioner Kevin Ruane and Legion Commander Aaron Barreda at the Swine Bowl

■ Coffee Klatch – Every Friday at 10 a m at the Beacon Come join us for coffee Pine Islanders have experienced so much loss and trauma with Hurricane Ian, coupled for many with an increased sense of connection and community The idea of the Coffee Klatch is to help us all cope with the many emotions we have been e x p e r i e n c i n g l i k e e x h a u s t i o n , s a d n e s s , anger and fear Come share experiences, offer support to others, help heal ourselves and others Call Mary Sheehan at 941404-6567 if you have any questions

■ Free Tax Preparation by IRS certified v o l u n t e e r s i s a v a i l a b l e a g a i n o n P i n e Island Volunteers will prepare Federal Tax Returns at the Beacon of Hope offices from 9 a m to 1:30 p m on Fridays Please call the Beacon at 239-283-5123 to schedule your appointment.

■ There are people at the Beacon on Monday and Wednesday helping people sign up for Florida disaster relief Call the Beacon to make an appointment

■ The Food Bank – Every Saturday at 9:30 a m The Emergency Pantry is available when we are open

■ Strange Arrangement – Mondays 67:30 p m Lessons given A musical experience

■ Funds/Communications meeting – To be announced

■ Grants Committee meeting – To Be announced

■ Homelessness Committee – to be announced.

■ Pine Island Boy Scout Troop meets Wednesday evenings at 6

■ Girl Scout Troop will meet on Friday nights

■ GED classes are on Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a m to 2 p m

■ ESOL classes are held every Monday from 7 p m at the Beacon

■ The Attic (Thrift Store) will be open Monday through Friday, from 9 a m to 3 p m Donations are accepted until 2:30 p.m., unless they get overloaded. Every Tuesday is 50 percent off clothing, shoes, and similar items The next one will be March 21

The Beacon of Hope is located at located at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City Call 239-283-5123 for additional information

Island Mahjongg

A special thanks to so many of the mahjongg players at the St James City

C i v i c A s s o c i a t i o n f o r t h e i r g e n e r o u s donations This money is being used to replace the side tables used during play which were destroyed by the hurricane

A very special thank you goes to Jeanne and Bob Nattress for ordering, assembling and delivering the first 10 of these tables

On Feb 23 the top players were Toni Lindsay with 150 points, Peggy Findlay with 125 points and Jeanne Nattress with 100 points

Join us every Thursday from 1-4 p m , at the SJCCA, located at Fourth Avenue and Lemon Street in St James City