LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Local banks collecting Christmas gifts for those in need
To the Editor:
Charlotte State Bank & Trust, Crews Bank & Trust and Englewood Bank & Trust, part of the Crews family of banks, are once again serving as collection points for donations to help brighten the holiday season for those in need. Donations will be distributed by three prominent charitable organizations.
We’re delighted to join with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation, Salvation Army and Toys for Tots to get presents to children who would otherwise not receive them. It is heartwarming to see the generosity of our bank teams, customers and area residents.
Charlotte State Bank & Trust is working with the Florida Guardian ad Litem Foundation and the Salvation Army to help brighten the holiday season for those in need. Guardian ad Litem gift trees are on display at the Charlotte State Bank & Trust Murdock branch, 1100 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte; North Port branch, 4300 Aidan Lane, North Port; and Parkside branch, 3002 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte.
Salvation Army wish lists are at the Charlotte State Bank & Trust Peachland branch, 24163 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda branch, 2331 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda, as well as the new Englewood Bank & Trust Venice branch, 207 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice.
Names and wish lists are written on cards. Customers and visitors to the bank are invited to select one or more of the cards and purchase gift cards or appropriate gifts. The Salvation Army gift drives conclude December 9, while the Guardian ad Litem drive ends on December 7.
Charlotte State Bank & Trust lobbies are open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and the Englewood Bank & Trust Venice branch is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday.
The statewide Guardian ad Litem Program is supported by Voices for Kids, a nonprofit organization. The Guardian ad Litem program consists of community volunteers and professionals who advocate on behalf of abused, neglected or otherwise at-risk children.
The Salvation Army, an evangelical Christian organization, has been supporting those in need since 1865. Nearly 33 million Americans receive assistance from the Salvation Army each year through an array of social services ranging from providing food for the hungry, relief for disaster victims, assistance for the disabled, outreach to the elderly and ill, clothing and shelter to the homeless and opportunities for underprivileged children.
Crews Bank & Trust in Arcadia and Sarasota and the Englewood-area Englewood Bank & Trust locations are once again proud participants in the Marine Corps Reserve’s annual Toys for Tots campaign.
Residents are invited to bring unwrapped toys to the following branches during business hours through December 14:
Englewood Bank & Trust Gulf Cove branch, 12651 S. McCall Rd., Port Charlotte, and Cape Haze branch, 8725 Placida Rd., #10 Placida, both open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Englewood Bank & Trust Boca Grande branch, 301 Park Ave., open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
The Crews Bank & Trust main branch for Englewood Bank & Trust at 1111 S. McCall Road, Englewood, is temporarily closed due to significant damage sustained during Hurricane Ian.
The age groups currently in the highest need of gifts are 0-24 months and teenagers. Suggested gifts for teens include sporting equipment, bags and balls, books, backpacks, cosmetics, purses, watch/wallet gift sets, bath gift sets, board games, radio-controlled cars/trucks, hand-held electronics, skateboards and helmets, curling irons, hair straighteners, and hair dryers. Volunteers will distribute toys to less fortunate children throughout the area.
Toys for Tots is among America’s top-rated charities. The program is run totally by volunteers under the leadership of the United States Marine Corps Reserve. The Toys for Tots motto is “Every child deserves a little Christmas.”
Thomas J. McCool has been named the Federal Coordinating Officer for federal response operations in the affected areas.
Jake Crews
Chief Executive Officer
Charlotte State Bank & Trust
Crews Bank & Trust
Englewood Bank & Trust
