Consignment store hosts yard sales for charities



Sondra’s Furniture Consignment, Inc., has designated the second Saturday of each month as Charity Yard Sale Day.

Starting Saturday, Nov. 8, and every second Saturday thereafter, expired, unclaimed merchandise will be sold at a yard sale in next doors Brittany’s Broken Giraffe with every penny raised donated to a charity. This months charity is the American Cancer Society.

Sondra’s is at 17851 Pine Ridge Road. Call 267-3994 for more information.



SHIPS program available for low income mortgage help



Money Management Inter-national, a nonprofit credit and debt counseling and education agency, has launched of a foreclosure prevention program, which has grown from a successful pilot program started in July 2007. With receipt of its second $1 million grant from HSBC-North America, MMI is able to expand its Preserving Homeownership and Savings Education Strategy (PHASES) program.

Utilizing the HSBC funds, the PHASES program provides grants for up to $7,500 – an increase from $5,000 – during the pilot phase˜to qualified homeowners who are striving to recover from a temporary financial setback.

As part of the program, the PHASES team provides one-on-one financial counseling sessions to help keep families in their homes and effectively manage their personal finances.

During the pilot phase of the program, MMI and HSBC helped hundreds of homeowners become current on outstanding mortgage payments and have provided vital financial planning skills to keep consumers on the road to financial stability. The pilot programs success is evidenced by its receipt of the NeighborWorks Americas 2008 Innovations in Homeowner-ship Contest, for its innovative post-purchase strategy for consumers.

For more, call (888) 589-6959 or visit MMIPHASES.com.



Salty Sams offers new

service for visitors



Parrot Key and Salty Sams Marina on San Carlos Island now offer a full-service information booth for visitors.

For more information, call 463-7333.



Chamber after-hours social at Pinchers, Holiday Inn



The chambers business after hours social is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. at Pinchers at the Holiday Inn of Fort Myers Beach. The jackpot is now more than $700 and attendees can participate in business card drawings, raffles, 50/50s and more.

To donate a door prize, call the chamber at 454-7500.

As the season approaches, the Beach Chamber urges its members to take the time to bring in business cards and/or rack cards.



Santa visits Lee Collier Business Women luncheon at Dec. 9 meet



The Lee Collier Business Women group’s monthly luncheon is scheduled to happen at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, 10075 Gulf Center Drive, (at the Gulf Coast Town Center) Tuesday, Dec. 9.

Networking begins at 11:30 a.m. and the meeting an lunch will be served until 1 p.m.

Members and guests are asked to help support A.C.T. and bring unwrapped toys for the children (ages one through 18) for the upcoming holidays.

Cost for members is $16; For non-members, $20.

To RSVP, call 985-0400 or e-mail Robin@LeeCollierBusinessWomen.com. Reservations can be faxed to 931-0917