Charlotte County Florida Weekly

COMMUNITY IN THE KNOW


 

 

USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals returning

Hundreds of racers will gather Oct. 23-25 at the Charlotte BMX track in Punta Gorda’s Carmalita Park for the USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals. Charlotte County last hosted a USA BMX Sunshine State Nationals event in February 2015. That competition generated an estimated $750,000 in direct expenditures, with participants and spectators contributing to more than 1,500 hotel room nights.

An estimated 600 riders in all age groups from across the United States are anticipated to participate in this year’s competition. About 2,000 family members will accompany them. The event is a partnership with Charlotte BMX, Charlotte County Community Services, and the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. Charlotte BMX is instrumental in providing logistical support and volunteers to USA BMX, the sanctioning organization.

“Charlotte BMX has hosted over five state and national qualifiers!” said Amanda Carr, president of Charlotte BMX and an accomplished professional BMX racer and Olympian. “Each event generated an economic impact of more than $250,000 in Charlotte County. In total, our volunteer-operated facility has generated over $1 million. We are extremely excited to host a USA BMX National in 2020. This accomplishment is only possible because of our volunteers — both parents and riders — who have dedicated countless hours to make our facility world class. Also, during our bidding process we received support of the Charlotte County Commiss ioners, Punta Gorda/ Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau and Charlotte County Community Services. This event will massively benefit local businesses as well as our community, and we are excited to welcome all visitors.”

USA BMX is committed to providing a safe, quality and fun environment. They will be implementing precautionary safety measures based on the recommendations of the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and state, county and local officials. These safety measures include limiting spectators to one per participant in the track viewing area, additional handwashing stations and hand sanitizer stations throughout the venue, event staff and volunteers will wear face coverings and use hand sanitizer throughout the event, and all staff will have their temperatures taken. All athletes and spectators are advised to observe social distancing protocols.

All events for the 2020 competition will be held at Charlotte BMX, 2505 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda. For more info: www.charlottebmx.net.

Military Heritage Museum hosts car show

The Military Heritage Museum, 900 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda, will kick off its 2020-21 season of events and activities from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, by hosting the Punta Gorda Isles Car Club for a car show. The show will include a variety of antique, classic and collectible cars, as well as the museum’s latest artifact — a 1962 restored Ford M151 military utility tactical truck.

The event is free; however, donations to the museum are appreciated.

At 2:30 p.m., the Gulf Theater will feature the documentary “The Best Military Vehicles,” a film that captures some of the most interesting and unusual military vehicles in preservation toady, and many of their owners tell their detailed history.

Other activities for that day will include the Pink Pickle food truck, as well as many activities taking place in the museum, including the tanks, as well as flight and ship simulators.

For more information or reservations: www.militaryheritagemuseum.org or 941-575-9002.

CARES Act assistance application deadline is Oct. 31

The deadline to apply for CARES Act individual assistance is Oct. 31.

Charlotte CARES offers individual financial assistance to residents who have suffered financial crisis due to COVID-19. The Community Organizations Active in Disaster has been offering online access to assistance with rent, mortgage, utilities and other needs since March 17, with Charlotte County Human Services processing applications submitted through the COAD website www.coadfl.org, and the Gulf Coast Partnership assisting with unmet needs.

Eligible Charlotte CARES applicants can receive a maximum of: $3,000 toward rent or mortgage; up to $1,000 toward utilities; and up to $1,000 in dependent care assistance. Residents who previously received assistance through the COAD financial assistance program may be contacted about receiving additional assistance up to those maximum amounts, or can be proactive and reach out to Human Services to inquire. Reapplication is not required. Receiving Charlotte CARES assistance does not preclude a recipient from eligibility for other Human Services programs.

Access to assistance will continue to be available online through the COAD website, but several local nonprofit and community organizations are coming together to help get those funds to individuals and families in need. Residents can now apply either online at www.coadfl.org or in person at the following locations:

• Boys and Girls Club (Port Charlotte and Englewood locations, walk-ins welcome)

• Comprehensive Housing Resources (Port Charlotte, by appointment)

• New Operation Cooper Street (Punta Gorda, clients and others by appointment)

• Franz Ross YMCA (Port Charlotte, walk-ins/appointments)

• Goodwill Industries (Port Charlotte, services by appointment)

• Habitat for Humanity (Punta Gorda, clients/walk-ins)

• Homeless Coalition (Port Charlotte, clients/shelter residents/others by appointment)

• Punta Gorda Housing Authority (Punta Gorda, residents/others by appointment)

Clients of the following agencies can schedule an appointment to apply with their provider:

• Baker Center

• Center for Abuse and Rape Emergencies (C.A.R.E.)

• Charlotte Behavioral Health Care

• Charlotte County Public Schools, Social Work department

• Department of Health

• Drug Free Charlotte

• Gulf Coast Partnership

For more information about Charlotte CARES individual financial assistance, how to apply, required documents, hours of operation and contact information for locations offering in-person service, and access to non-COVID related assistance, call 2-1-1 (941-205-2161 for Englewood and out-of-area cell phone users) or visit www.charlotte211.net.

Financial assistance available to residents affected by pandemic

Many of the people hit hardest by COVID-19 have never had to ask for help before. Not only are they feeling the stress of the pandemic but mounting bills and financial woes are tipping many households into crisis. Here are ways your household may be able to get financial assistance:

• Apply for financial assistance through www.COADFL.org. This application process takes a couple of weeks and requires documentation of your income and residency. CARES Act can pay for rent or mortgage help up to $3,000, licensed child or adult care up to $1,000, and electric or gas payments up to $1,000. To be eligible to receive these funds, your household earned income must fall within the chart below. Clients who qualify but are in need of further assistance may be eligible for Coronavirus Relief Funds. CRF determinations are made by Charlotte County Human Services.

• Households that met or meet the above income requirements can also qualify for reimbursement of future or past payments made to Charlotte County Utilities. If your household paid a water bill to CCU and you have applied and were approved for assistance through www.COADFL.org, contact CCU as soon as possible at 941-764-4567 or CCU.Cares@CharlotteCountyFL.gov for more information about a possible reimbursement or payment plan.

• While funds last, Season of Sharing is a program administered by the United Way of Charlotte County that does not require income eligibility. To apply in-person, go to the Charlotte County Homeless Coalition, any St. Vincent de Paul in Charlotte County, or Deep Creek Community Church or apply online at www.COADFL.org.

For additional information, contact Charlotte County Utilities at 941-764-4567; CCU.Cares@CharlotteCountyFL.gov; or Charlotte County Human Services at 2-1-1 or www.charlotte211.com. ¦

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