Welcome to the NEW Hooker Herald! This will be an email newsletter that will be sent out to current paid membership volunteers 3 times a month!

Members will still be encouraged to visit the website for up to date news, minutes, financials and event committee meeting minutes. 

Matlacha Hooker Scholarship Committee will be proud to present the eleven 2020 scholarship winners at our next Matlacha Hooker General Meeting, June 8th.  Presentation will begin at 6:00 PM at the House of Omelets,

900 SW Pine Island Road #122, Cape Coral, FL. 

 Scholarships are made possible by funds raised or donated by Matlacha Hookers' “Hooked on Education”,  P.I.E. Derby, 

Women of Trade (Kathy Foley), Men of Trade (Kathy Foley), Mariners’ Memorial Fund, Holly & Rodney Aldrich and Island Crab Company (Jeff & Denise Haugland).  

A $2,000 check and a certificate will be given to each of our scholarship winners.  

The “Hooked on Education” Scholarships were first awarded in 2003, making this our 18th year of offering scholarships for a total of $191,000.  

2020 Back to School Drive Begins

for the Pine Island Elementary School (PIE)

While school is not quite out, it’s time to start thinking about preparing our students for learning in the fall.   School starts again on August 10th  and whether it ends up being an in-school or online format, school supplies will still be needed for our PIE students.

To minimize public health concerns, we are asking our Hooker Sisters to please consider donating monetarily to the Matlacha Hookers Back to School Drive.   You can donate by clicking the button below and typing “Back to School” in the notes section of the screen.

Your donation will allow the Matlacha Hookers to purchase needed items requested by the Pine Island Elementary School teachers for local families in need in late July.  

If you prefer to donate products, the PIE School Supply List is as follows:  Backpacks. no wheels, Earbuds, Pencil Boxes, Scissors (blunt tip), #2 Pencils, Erasers (both cap and large pink rectangles), Whiteboard markers (erasable and fine tip), Expo makers dry eraser, Glue sticks, Elmer’s Glue, Colored Pencils, Red Pencils with Easers, Pens (Black, Blue and Red), Loose Leaf Paper – wide rule, Marbleized Composition Books, Spiral Notebooks (all sizes), Pocket Folders (all colors), 3 Ring Binders (both 1 inch and 2 inch), Rulers, Crayola Markers (washable), Crayola Crayons, Scotch tape, Yellow Highlighters, 3x5 Index Cards, Tissues with aloe/lotion, Fun Stickers, Ziplock bags (all sizes), Handiwipes/Disinfectant wipes and Paper Towels.

If you purchase supplies, please keep them in your home for now.  We hope to have a list of open businesses, churches, library, post office and other locations available drop off by the end of May.  Drop off at an upcoming June or July Hookers meeting may also be possible.

Thank you for participating in this important project for PIE students.   If you have any questions, please contact the Back to School Chair, Karen Durand at 513-265-7123 or via our website at matlachahookers@matlachahookers.org.

Please click on the link below and be sure to type in “Back to School” in the notes section, to make your donation now.

https://www.matlachahookers.org/donate  

Honk, Beep Beep, Cheer, & Wave!

It’s a Drive-By Retirement Parade in Honor of Steven Hook 

41 years in education deserves your very own parade! In celebration of this special occasion, Pine Island staff, students, and community members are invited to Steven Hook’s Drive-By Retirement Parade celebration. This is a BIG SURPRISE! We hope you can drive by to show your appreciation! Shout out to Mr. Hook from your vehicle. Be creative! 

Kind and Caring are Mr. Hook’s legacy to the Island School. In honor of Mr. Hook, please bring a canned good to donate to the Beacon Food Pantry in his name, if possible. There will be a collection station for these items near the school building during the parade. 

What: Mr. Hook’s Drive-By Retirement Parade

When: May 29, 2020

Parade Line Up Time: 10:45AM

Parade Start Time: 11:00AM

Start Location: The parade will start at the stop sign on the corner of Birdsong Lane and Avenue E. All vehicles will pull on the side of Birdsong Land while waiting for the parade to start so that other vehicles can pass. Vehicles can also line the adjoining streets (Phillips Street, Henley Street, Thomas Street, Peatre Road).

Parade Route: The Pine Island Fire Department will lead the parade.. Follow the route, turning left onto Avenue E. Continue on the route making a left on Ridgewood Drive. Turn right onto Tipton Drive ending the parade route. 

***A special gift for Mr. Hook will be given to him at the start of the parade, which includes an adirondack chair painted by artist Mel Meo. A photo of this special gift will be shared with staff soon.  If interested, there will be an envelope in Mendy Nelson’s box in the office to contribute to this special gift. Any additional donations will go to Mr. Hook’s favorite organizations which include Samaritan Health and Wellness Center and the Bobby Holloway Jr. Foundation. 

The Matlacha Hookers run 5 major events each year benefiting local charities or scholarships!

November - The Pine Island Fishing Tournament and Derby benefits Pine Island Elementary and Hooked on Education Scholarships 

December - Christmas caroling around all the local bars, restaurants and clubs spreading holiday cheer benefits F.I.S.H Basket Brigade

February - ArtFest Beverage Team benefits Hooked on Education Scholarships

February - The Wine Event benefits The Beacon of Hope Senior Programs 

March - Our Bag 'n Tag 'n Breakfast benefits Hooked on Education Scholarships 

Matlacha Hookers also participate in PI Food pantry donations, PIE school supply and clothing drives, Adopt-a-Road, blood drives, 

Beacon Bites meal delivery, and Chamber of Commerce events such as Mullet Toss, July 4th Parade, and Mango Mania

The Matlacha Hookers are always looking for new volunteers to help us with the up and coming fall through spring events! 

 We meet the second Monday of every month.  

Please check us out on Facebook or our website www.matlachahookers.org