Upcoming Events 

Mon., Jun 13 - General Meeting at Fine Swine with more details to follow.  Doors open at 5 pm and meeting starts at 6:30 pm.  Personal Care and School Supply donations are welcome.

Note: The Merchandise Committee will not be selling items at the June meeting.  The new merchandise catalog is now available on the website and can be accessed via the button below.  Members may use the order form at the end of the catalogue to order for drop off or mail.  

Thurs., Jun 16 - Derby Planning Meeting at Bert's Bar starting at 6pm.  All are welcome! 

Mon., Jun 20 - 11th Annual Island Luau Start-Up Meeting at SJCCC starting at 6:30 pm.

Sat., Jun 25 - Adopt a Road.  Meet at the Olde Fish House at 8:30 am.

Mon., Jun 27 - PIE School Supply Drive and FISH Clothing for Kids Adoption begins.  

Mon., Jul 4 - Pine Island Parade.  The Matlacha Hookers will have a float.  More details to follow.

Sat., Jul 16 - Mini MangoMania -  will be held at OLMM Catholic Church where it all began.  

Members are encouraged to visit the website for up to date news, meeting minutes, financials, merchandise and committee event forms.   The new Merchandise Catalog is now available.

Madam's Letter

Ladies,

Well, we had the first threat of a 2022 Tropical Storm which luckily did not affect Pine Island.  But it did bring quite a bit of much needed rain, and the rainy season is now in full swing!

Tuesday, June 14th is Flag Day.  If you have a tattered, torn or faded flag that needs to be properly retired, please drop it off at the American Legion in St James City by Monday.  They host a Flag Day Service every year at about dusk and burn all donated flags which is the only respectful and proper way to retire our beloved flags.

We have a theme for our 4th of July Parade Float that we have not done before!  We need help decorating and would like you all to participate in the Parade.  Sign up at Monday's Meeting, because if you do not sign up and attend the planning meeting you will not know until July 4th!  Hey; it's hard to keep secrets around here.

Saturday, July 16th the Chamber is hosting the 2022 MiniMangoMania and this year it will be at Our Lady of Miraculous Medals Catholic Church (OLMMC) in Bokeelia!  This is where MangoMania all began many years ago.  It's a great location with plenty of parking and shade.  We will all find out on Monday how the Chamber would like our help this year and the Merchandise Tent will may need assistance as well.

I hope that this Summer you all have a chance to travel, visit friends and family, rekindle friendships, get to know your neighbors once again and play.  I work hard, volunteer often and play every chance that I get! 

Our June General Membership Meeting is on Monday at Fine Swine on Stringfellow.  For those of you that do not like driving at night our next few meetings will not be an issue so plan on attending.

I do hope to 'see' all of you on Monday in person or by WebEx.  Enjoy, Madam DJ

THE JUNE GENERAL MEETING

Monday, June 13

Fine Swine

10251 Stringfellow Rd, St James City,

Doors open at 5 pm. Food will be available to purchase.  The meeting starts at 6:30 pm.  Please bring Personal Care donations for the Food Pantry and School Supply donations.  

Go to Meeting Matlacha Hookers June General Meeting Information
Mon, Jun 13, 2022 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM (EDT)

Please join my meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
https://meet.goto.com/706559109

You can also dial in using your phone.
United States: +1 (408) 650-3123

Access Code: 706-559-109
Get the app now and be ready when your first meeting starts: https://meet.goto.com/install

Island Luau Planning Meeting

Monday, June 20th- 6:30 @ SJCCC

Next Island Luau meeting is scheduled for Sunday, Feb 26, 2023 @ the SJCCC.  

Please come and offer your skills. What are your talents or interests? Are they in Food Prep? Decorating? Collecting items? Making phone calls? Helping with set-up? Helping with Tear down? There are many areas that could use you. We need you to volunteer. Let's make this event even better.

We'll equip everyone with trash pickers, safety vests, gloves, trash bags, bug spray and plenty of water.  The more people that show up the faster the clean-up goes. We're usually done in less than 90 minutes.  We team up in pairs and head out with half going on one side of Pine Island towards the Yucatan and the other half towards Micelli's.  

A signup sheet will be available at the June 13 meeting - but feel free to show up with or without signing up.  Thanks in advance for your participation.  We're looking forward to seeing your smiling faces on Saturday June 25th.

Grab your hubby, neighbor, best friend - this is an activity that nets immediate results.  Afterwards you can proudly drive through Matlacha knowing that you have made an amazing difference in our community.  Plus - a little fresh air and exercise is a great way to kick off the weekend.

Lorie Tidwell and Shirley Noble, Adopt A Road co-chairs

Back to School Supply Drive

for the Pine Island Elementary School

June 27 – July 23

The list of supplies desired by teachers is listed below. We took a few items off the list that they currently have plenty of, ex. backpacks, composition books, etc.  The list of business, church and service organizations where we will place our bins on the island during this time frame is currently being finalized.  Monetary donations will also be solicited to fill in the gaps to reach a quantity of about 125 pieces (to cover about ½ of enrollment). 

The drive will culminate with a fundraising event on Saturday, July 23rd led by DJ, at which time we will collect all of the bins as well.  Event details to come.  We will then drop off all of the supplies to the school on July 28th and they pack the actual backpacks for distribution at the school the following week.  All monetary donations left over are passed on directly to the school for technology supply purchases throughout the school year, via a check presentation to Principal Tom at either the August or September general meeting. 

Thank you to Hookers Cindee Tolliver, Lori Tidwell, Beth Nelson, Cindy Walton, Gail Landis and Christy Rau for stepping up to place the bins, monitor and collect donations during the month of July.   Where additional Hooker help is needed:

• Plan to volunteer for the Saturday, July 23rd Event – details to come
• Host a drive in your neighborhood or at work, using the list below. Every little bit helps!
• Bring School Supply donations to the June and July General Meetings.

If interested in helping or if you need flyers or containers to host your own collection, please text Karen at 513-265-7123.      Thank you!

Pine Island FISH Basket Brigade Clothing for Kids 

June 27 - July 25

This program will also run in July.  Principal Tom announced it in his last email to parents so we are already accepting names.  We anticipate having over 250 school children grades K – 12 who live on Pine Island or in Matlacha registered this year.  Children 5 - 11 years of age will each receive 2 tops, 2 bottoms, 1 pkg underwear and socks, plus a $40 gift card for gym shoes at Walmart or Target.  Children 12 – 18 years of age, will receive $100 in gift cards designated as $60 for clothes and $40 for gym shoes at these same retailers. In addition, each family will receive a Harry Helping food box and information and discounts on other services, ex. haircuts, safety information, health screening information, school supply programs available for older children, etc. to ensure our students are prepared for school.  Distribution day is Saturday, July 30th at PIUMC from 10 am – 12 pm in a drive thru format.    Ways to participate:

• Matlacha Hookers already adopt children which will be led by Anita and Lucinda.  Information will be available by the beginning of July.   Thank you!
• Individual student adoptions will also available by either purchasing clothing for a younger child or providing gift cards for shoes and older children clothing purchases.  First name, gender, age and size information will be provided, as needed.  

• Encourage the businesses you frequent to provide something of value to benefit students, ex. free or discount to help the students prepare for school.  I’m working developing a page of discount offers and service providers who want to participate.  No charge to participate since the idea is to ensure our kids are fully prepared for the start of school.
• Monetary donations are welcome online or by check so items or gift cards can be purchased in bulk, as needed.   Designate "school supplies' when donating online or by check.  Any amount is greatly appreciated.
• Assist with assembly of a bag for each student the last week in July at the PIUMC and/or distribution on Saturday, July 30, which will be a drive through format in the UMC parking lot. 

If interested in helping, need more information or have lead on a business service to follow up on, text Karen at 513-265-7123.      Thank you!

Congratulations to our 2022 Scholarship Winners

Each of the 12 winners received a $2,000 scholarship

to pursue a secondary education degree.

L to R: Logan Lauria, Chloe Koff, Armando Perez, Scholarship Chair Natalie Gazda, Elizabeth Vergara, Lilly Overbaugh, Angela Kerr, Emma Olsen and Danika McCaffry

   Not Pictured: Kelby Bower, Noah Cicoria, Kaylin Hill and Anonda Rapp

Pine Island Food Pantry

It's Personal Care Month

Given that they are stocked with nonperishable food items, the Food Pantry is currently in need of personal care products, such as feminine hygiene (tampons and pads), toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, and razors. 

Please bring donations to the next General Meeting or drop off at one of the following locations: Winn-Dixie, V.F.W., American Legion, Moose, Elks, Centennial Bank, the Matlacha Post Office or at the pantry when it is open on Monday and Thursdays, 8:30 am - 10:30 am. Visit pineislandfoodpantry.org to learn more. Thank you!

Summer Food Programs 

Please help spread the word!

Several programs are now available to ensure our children do not go hungry this summer.

The School District of Lee County is partnering up with Florida’s Summer BreakSpot program to provide free breakfast and lunch during summer vacation. There are no income requirements or registration required. Any person age 18 or younger is allowed to come and eat meals on site - as grab-and-go service is no longer available.

Locations on the island are as follows:

Breakfast at Matlacha Community Center, 4577 Pine Island Rd, NW, Matlacha.  June 13 – July 29 – 9:30-10:00 am, each weekday, Monday through Friday, except for July 4th.

Lunch at Phillips Park Community Pool, 5675 Sesame Dr, Bokeelia.  

June 7 – July 29 – 11:45 am -12:15 pm, each weekday, Monday through Friday, except for July 4th.

Kiwanis Pool Parties for kids of all ages will be held Saturday, June 11 and July 30 from 12 - 2 pm at the Pine Island Community Pool.  Pool admission, hot dogs, watermelon, chips, cookies & drinks will be available to happy families! Be sure to join the fun!

Harry Helping Boxes - All of the free food locations on the island are partnering to ensure we are both prepared for a severe weather event and so that no one goes hungry this summer.  Boxes are available at the Pine Island United Methodist Church, Pine Island Food Pantry, Pine Island Community Church Food Closet and Beacon of Hope during their normal hours, and a couple of special kids events this summer.  Help spread the word and contact Karen with any questions at 513-265-7123.

**IMPORTANT WEBSITE ACCESS INFORMATION**

The website Members ONLY pages have been updated and are accessible on the HOME page in two sections. The 2022 Password is 20HMP22 and only needs to be entered one time on the Members only page. Members need to email the Secretary at 

matlachahookers@matlachahookers.org to have their membership verified before receiving the new password.  Questions?  Contact Vice Madam Julia

Don’t forget that 0.5% of all of your purchases will be automatically donated to the Matlacha Hookers if  you,

1. Select Matlacha Hookers as your charity and then,
2. Enter Amazon through the Amazon Smile each time you shop.

Thank you for supporting us all year long!

Herald and website content submissions, along with questions or concerns should be sent to Karen Durand at MHwebmistress@gmail.com.  Please do not email to Karen by forwarding a Herald publication.  Since we use the free version of WIX for both our website and emails, the Herald emails actually go out under a different email address which she does not have access to.