Chapel gifts $3K, supplies to Turning Points

By Dana Kampa
| 11:30 a.m. January 27, 2026

Muriel Klosterman of Longboat Island Chapel presents Carolyn Nielsen, Turning Points' volunteer and events coordinator, with a check for $3,000 at the church's Gather and Give charity drive on Jan. 20.

Longboat Key
Neighbors

Longboaters presented Turning Points volunteers with a carful of donated cleaning supplies and a $3,000 check at the Jan. 20 Gather and Give potluck and donation drive.

Attendees heard from Turning Points volunteer and events coordinator Carolyn Nielsen at Longboat Island Chapel, where she broke down the organization's yearly impact report.

The Bradenton-based group has been assisting families facing homelessness for the past 30 years through its Day Resource Center, medical services and more. Last year, members served 4,358 clients and provided 117,847 services.

Turning Points also provides essential financial support, with 92 cents of every donated dollar going directly to helping neighbors. It provided $1,677,298 in rent and utility assistance last year.

Those looking to help can call 941-747-1509 or visit TPManatee.org. The chapel is also collecting detergent, bath towels, wash cloths, sample toiletries and other cleaning items through the end of the month.

author

Dana Kampa

Dana Kampa is the Longboat Key neighbors reporter for the Observer. She first ventured into journalism in her home state of Wisconsin, going on to report community stories everywhere from the snowy mountains of Washington State to the sunny shores of the Caribbean. She has been a writer and photographer for more than a decade, covering what matters most to readers.