Fundraisers for Gilchrist's Playground

The man in the photo above loved children.  He carried coins in his pocket so that he would have something to give them to buy ice cream.  He continued the tradition by leaving money in his will for the perpetual purchase of ice cream for kids.  The park we love right on the harbor was named after him, Albert W. Gilchrist, the man from Punta Gorda who became Governor and loved the children of Punta Gorda .

How fitting is it then that the Friends of Gilchrist Park effort (organized by Stacy Woolston Calvino) was launched to help  renovate the park's playground.  At 6 pm. tonight Gilchrist Park will rock to raise money for the playground.  The benefit will include a concert featuring the town's best known rockers, The Boogiemen, as well as hot dogs and drinks and, of course, most appropriately, ice cream -- special ice cream using recipes from donors who have donated $100 or more to create their own flavor.  A minimum of $10 will be collected at the gate, children under 5 though can enter free.  Entrance includes one meal ticket.

Then Sunday there will be an ice cream social from noon to two at Laishley Pavillion.  More information on this at www.scoopsandbites.