My name is Michael Fullington and I am a teacher and parent of the class of 2023 at Port Charlotte High School. On August 13th, 2004 Charlotte County was hit with what we thought was a devastating hurricane, Hurricane Charley. The current class of 2023 was just starting their journey to becoming Pirates. 18 years later Hurricane Ian decided to turn their world upside down yet again. This class has lived through a worldwide pandemic causing them to take classes online, attend school wearing masks, give up their Homecomings, Proms, after-school activities, and many other events that make the high school experience something to be remembered. They began this year with the hope that they would be back to "normal" after 3 long years of hard work. Teachers were planning for after-school clubs and homecoming events to try and give them the high school experience that they deserved. Ian had other plans.

The school has experienced damage at all levels. The arts building which houses our bands, choirs and performing arts areas is completely unusable. The main gym has had our locker rooms, concession stand, and weight room also rendered unusable. The media center has been completely gutted and all books that were able to be saved placed in storage. The lights of the football field have to be taken down as they are leaning from the storm. This is the environment that the class of 2023 will now finish their high school career with. Every moment of the last 4 years has been a challenge that these incredible students have risen to.

Here is where you can help!! Each year the senior class is thrown a lock-in style party that we call "Project Graduation" in which students are treated to a night of fun with gifts and activities the night of their graduation. Even in a good year, this function is extremely difficult to fundraise for. With the local community trying to recover from Ian it will be even worse if not almost impossible this year. We want to make this year's celebration of these determined students to be the best ever and send them off in style. All funds raised for this cause will go directly to making these students' last memory of PCHS a great one. Any leftover funds will be used to offset the costs of graduation for students in need. We thank you for your consideration. Remember, in this time of need, we are ALL Pirates!!!!

If you are a business that would like to help support these great kids, we do have a 501-C3 designation that we would be more than happy to share with you!