PPYC Cares

Platinum Point Yacht Club is committed to giving back to the Punta Gorda/Charlotte Harbor community that so greatly enriches the lives of those who call this remarkable region home. Through initiatives such as the Burnt Store–PPYC Charitable Boating Foundation, Adopt-A-Child, and other charitable endeavors, our members proudly support and strengthen the community we cherish.

The Burnt Store-PPYC Charitable Boating Foundation, founded in 2015, has as its mission providing educational opportunities relating to boating and related marine topics to the community, as well as other charitable activities as approved by the Board of Directors from time to time.  Seven of the Board of Directors members are also PPYC members, including President Lon Acheson (past-Commodore of PPYC). 

One of the Foundation’s traditional partners has been the Boys and Girls Club of Charlotte County (“BGCCC”) which supports young children through its programs and facilities.  Other programs regularly supported by the Foundation have been annual bursaries to allow deserving children to attend the Learn to Sail programs at Gulf Shore Sailing School in Punta Gorda and cash donations to the marine biology program at Charlotte High School.  The Foundation has also partnered in the past with other organizations such as Crossroads Hope Academy, Make It Count Sports, the Coast Guard and the Wounded American Veterans Event (WAVE).

Contact the Foundation by e-mailing burntstorefoundation@gmail.com.

Adopt-a-Child has been a pre-Christmas tradition for PPYC members for many years.   It is a program coordinated with a social worker and counselor from East Elementary School in Punta Gorda.   A PPYC member heads up a committee consisting of several other members who are interested in helping with this project. 

A tree is put up in the clubhouse in early November with several tags attached.  Each of these tags identifies a need or desire of a child for Christmas.  The school provides a list with their age, gender and clothing sizes along with the wishes for toys and or games.  No identification of a student is made by name, so it is totally anonymous. 

Members of PPYC and the outside community are invited to take a tag or two from the tree and shop for the items identified on the tag.  They are then asked to return those items to the clubhouse in early December, wrapped and with the tags attached.  If a member is unable to shop, but would like to participate in the program, cash donations are welcomed and the committee member will do your shopping for you.  Envelopes are available on the tree and can be left in the PPYC office. 

The committee takes the gifts to the school by the end of the second week of December, often accompanied by books, popcorn tins and if there is additional money, a gift for the family.   It is a very rewarding experience for all involved.  Without this program many children would go without any type of Christmas gift.  PPYC was given a Business Award by the Charlotte County School District for the 2024-2025 school year for our continued involvement in helping the children in their district.

Beginning November 10, our Tree of Giving will feature tags representing 36 children from 19 families.  Members and the Burnt Store Marina community are invited to participate.  Wrapped gifts are due by December 4.