Member News

Fort Myers, FL, November 19, 2019: Join the Minnesota Twins, Fort Myers Miracle and community leaders from across Southwest Florida for an exciting announcement heading into the 2020 season. Tuesday, December 3 at 11:30AM at Hammond Stadium, 14600 SIX MILE CYPRESS PARKWAY, FORT MYERS.
RSVP here by November 29 to receive a commemorative gift.

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, everyone is starting to think about turkeys. Those hosting friends and family for the holiday feast are exploring ways to prepare the main course. An interesting option is to go organic by serving wild turkey for Thanksgiving.
Wild turkey populations are abundant and provide sustainable hunting opportunities throughout the state. When knowledge, skill and good fortune result in a successful hunt, it provides an opportunity to impress dinner guests with the delicious flavor of wild turkey. A recipe for cooking a wild turkey with citrus brine is available from the chefs at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in partnership with the wild turkey experts at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Wild turkey is a versatile protein so in addition to the main course, Fresh from Florida chefs adapted several popular recipes using leftover wild turkey and other Fresh from Florida products. Serve post-holiday meals that are tasty and healthy with recipes such as wild turkey quesadillas and wild turkey cottage pie. See other Fresh from Florida wild turkey recipes.
There are two wild turkey subspecies that occur in this state: the eastern and the Osceola wild turkey. Florida is unique because the Osceola subspecies lives nowhere else in the world but on the state’s peninsula. Osceolas are similar to the eastern wild turkey subspecies, which is found in north Florida and throughout the eastern United States.
 “Turkey hunting in Florida is a chance to experience the outdoors in a really special way,” said Buddy Welch, wild turkey program coordinator for the FWC.  “However, wild turkeys are extremely wary and possess sharp eyesight and excellent hearing so hunting them is a challenge.”
Because most wild turkey hunting in Florida occurs in the spring, FDACS chefs discuss how to preserve a harvested wild turkey so it can be enjoyed at Thanksgiving.
The FWC uses scientifically-proven wildlife management strategies and professional expertise to meet conservation objectives and provide sustainable wild turkey hunting opportunities. Learn more about wild turkeys, including their behavior, habitat needs and where they live in Florida at MyFWC.com/Turkey. 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2019) – For the 13^th year, Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A. offices will collect toys to be distributed by the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Foundation. Toys will be collected until Dec. 15 when they will be picked up and distributed by Toys for Tots to approved local social welfare agencies, church groups and other organizations.
“Supporting organizations within our community is within the core of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A. and Toys for Tots is an exemplary example of an organization,” said Managing Partner Chris Smith. “It’s our privilege to be a part of the community, so we feel it’s important to give back.”
During 2018, 10,960 children were supported with 38,090 toys distributed by Toys for Tots in Lee County. In Naples, 28,425 toys were distributed, supporting 5,338 children.
The public is invited to bring new, unwrapped toys for newborn children to age 12 to any of the six Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz offices. In addition, members of the firm also donate toys for the drive.
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz locations accepting Toys for Tots donations include:

• Fort Myers – Downtown: 1515 Broadway St., 239-334-1146
• Fort Myers – McGregor: 2300 McGregor Blvd., 239-332-9437
• Cape Coral – 461 Del Prado Blvd., 239-574-5575
• Naples – 2590 Northbrooke Plaza Drive, Suite 105, 239-514-0924
• Lehigh Acres – 4802 Lee Blvd., 239-368-6101
• Port Charlotte – 2852 Tamiami Trail, Ste. 1, 941-624-2393

 
If it’s not convenient to shop for toys, monetary donations are accepted at www.toysfortots.org.
About Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz
Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz, P.A., has offered a full complement of professional legal services to Southwest Florida clients since 1962. The firm’s experienced attorneys are board certified by the Florida Bar, and their areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, motorcycle and truck accidents, medical malpractice, real estate, commercial litigation, construction law, wills, and estate planning and administration. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte, attorneys can be reached by calling 239-500-HURT or visiting JusticeStartsNow.com.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 19, 2019) – Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the 10^th annual Golisano Children’s Hospital Fashion Show set for Dec. 6 at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa to benefit Kids’ Minds Matter, Golisano Children’s Hospital mental and behavioral health program. An elegant affair, the event will feature a gourmet luncheon, fashion show and several opportunities to support the regional healthcare priority.

Attendees can participate in the silent auction, bidding on items like hotel stays, handbags, artwork, autographed merchandise, social outings and more. Another unique fundraising attraction is the flower wall, where guests select a flower and win a corresponding prize, which included purses, jewelry, picture frames and gift baskets.

Models in the fashion show include former patients from the hospital, such as Kayden Selleck, who was born prematurely at 23 weeks, weighing just over a pound. Kayden, who has many challenges due to his extreme premature birth, including cerebral palsy, has worked hard to walk without a walker, cane or other assistive device. Another model, Sophia Cameratta was diagnosed with Stage 4 Acute Lymphoblastic Lymphoma at 2.5 years old. She endured years of intensive chemotherapy and cranial radiation and has been in remission for more than four years. Siblings Skye and Lucas Saunders were both born with club feet and had surgery to repair them and walk normally. Armando Llechu, chief administrative officer at Golisano, will model with his 7-year-old daughter Arianna, who has genetic hearing loss but is able to hear with hearing aids. Other adult celebrity models include hospital supporters, donors and event sponsors.

Residents of the Pelican Landing community created the Fashion Show in 2009 to coincide with Lee Health Foundation’s launch of a capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art, freestanding children’s hospital. That facility, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, opened in 2017, so this year the Fashion Show is directing its philanthropy toward mental and behavioral health. Kids’ Minds Matter has become the region’s strategic solution to improve access to families seeking pediatric mental and behavioral health services.

Over the past nine years, the Fashion Show has raised more than $800,000 to support Golisano Children’s Hospital and its lifesaving mission through various programs to meet families’ needs locally. Sponsors include a generous anonymous philanthropic gift to support the cause. Additional sponsors include Marty and John Howard; VaNita and Jim Laurito; Angie Nichols; Bill and Pat Smart; Cameratta Companies; John R. Wood Realtors Carol Wood and Claire McMahon Team; Don Blake of Picket Fence Appraisals; Dorothy Daly; In Memory of Marian Niehaus; Kathie and Dave Shellenbarger; Key Private Bank; Nancy Near and Friends; Seminole Casino Hotel; Stock Development; Altaira Social; Amy Quaremba and Friends; Bob and Gail Hansen; Diane Lepola and Genesis Group of UBS Financial Services; Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa; Mary McVay and Maryanne Kennedy of Downing Frye Realty Inc.; Sandra and Jack Adams; Vi at Bentley Village; Bank of America Private Bank and éBella Magazine.

The fashion show begins at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, 5001 Coconut Road in Bonita Springs. Sponsorships are available and include tickets, group tables, public recognition and other benefits. Individual tickets are $100 per person.

For more information or to purchase tickets, tables or sponsorships, please visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/GolisanoFashionShow or call 239-343-6950.

About Golisano Children’s Hospital

Established in 1994, Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida has been named a “Top Hospital” by The Leapfrog Group for the past two years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital between Tampa and Miami. Lee Health opened the new 134-bed Golisano Children’s Hospital in May 2017, relocating the children’s hospital from the adjacent HealthPark Medical Center. It includes comprehensive pediatric services including a 24-hour pediatric emergency department, hematology-oncology unit, milk lab, Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Center, and Level II and Level III NICU with 70 private rooms. Golisano Children’s Hospital is proud to have been named Soliant’s 2018 Most Beautiful Hospital in the U.S., a recognition determined by popular vote. For more information, visit GolisanoChildrensSWFL.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla., (Nov. 19, 2019) – More than 330 community supporters recently came together for the 2019 Tides of Change in support of Pace Center for Girls, Lee County’s vital counseling and academic programs.
Held Nov. 8 at MarineMax Fort Myers, Tides of Change featured an evening of shoreside cocktails, dinner, dancing and a wave-making live auction to help chart a smoother course for at-promise young women in Lee County.
“Pace’s programs serve well over 100 girls each year right here in Lee County,” said Meg M. Geltner, executive director at Pace Center for Girls, Lee County. “Through impactful programs and counseling, 96% of our girls have improved academically and 95% have no involvement with the criminal justice system within a year of leaving Pace. We are so thankful for the tremendous community support seen at Tides of Change that will help us continue these lifechanging services for the girls and young women of Pace.”
Former Pace student Amy Iberger delivered the keynote address, highlighting the impact of Pace’s influential programs. Iberger transitioned from Pace in 2017 and went on to graduate from Riverdale High School. She is now attending Florida SouthWestern State College with a two-year scholarship that was donated at Pace’s 2018 Boo Ball.
“I learned leadership and how to work towards becoming the best version of myself every day,” Iberger said during the event about her time with Pace. “There’s a saying at Pace, ‘once a Pace girl, always a Pace girl.’ After watching my own personal transformation, I truly believe that and I am so proud to be a Pace girl.”
The signature Tides of Change event was led by co-chairs John Agnew and Suzanne Boy with Boy Agnew Potanovic Law Firm. Event sponsors included the Fort Myers Police Department as North Star Sponsor (title), Boy Agnew Potanovic Law Firm as the Anchorage Sponsor, Cushman & Wakefield Commercial Property Southwest Florida and Scott and Mary Fischer as Helmsman Sponsors, and Lee Health, Connie and Ed Lizak, Publix Super Markets Charities and Sanibel Captiva Community Bank as Compass Sponsors. In-Kind Sponsors included MarineMax, Caloosa Tent & Rental, Crave Culinaire, Florida Weekly, Gulfshore Life, Jason’s Deli of Southwest Florida, The News-Press, Priority Marketing, Red Door Photography and Ruth Messmer Florist.
To learn more about how to support Pace Center for Girls and its programs, please visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee or call 239-425-2366.
About Pace Center for Girls, Lee County
Since 2007, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has been providing girls and young women an opportunity for a better future through education, counseling, training and advocacy. The gender-specific, strength-based program is one of 22 Centers throughout Florida, and is known throughout the nation as a best practices model for diverting girls from the juvenile justice system. Pace is a registered not-for-profit organization that relies on the support of individuals, businesses, civic/community organizations and churches in Lee County in order to serve girls and their families. Since its inception, Pace Center for Girls, Lee County has served more than 650 at-promise girls and young women, believing each one deserves an opportunity to find her voice, achieve her potential and celebrate a life defined by responsibility, dignity, serenity and grace. For more information on Pace Center for Girls, Lee County, call 239-425-2366 or visit www.pacecenter.org/locations/lee.

FORT MYERS, FLA., November 18, 2019 – Gaither Homecoming Soloist and Grammy Award winner Larry Ford will make a special guest appearance at the 29th Annual Christmas Carol Sing sponsored by the Galloway Family of Dealerships.
The Christmas Carol Sing will be Tuesday, Dec. 17, at First Presbyterian Church, 2438 Second Street in downtown Fort Myers, between Lee Street and Royal Palm Avenue. Admission is free, although organizers request voluntary donations of at least two cans of non-perishable food for The Soup Kitchen, operated by Community Cooperative, and a voluntary cash donation, if you can.
Because of the overwhelming popularity of the event, three sing-alongs are planned at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. The doors will open 30 minutes prior to show time.
“We are honored that Larry Ford has agreed to perform at this year’s Christmas Carol Sing. He will sing several Christmas Carols and help lead the audience in singing carols and hymns that everyone knows and loves,” said Carol Sing Founder and Organizer Sam Galloway, Jr.
Larry Ford is a featured soloist on the Gaither Homecoming DVD series, which consistently ranks in the top of Billboard Magazine’s music charts. The tenor was awarded a Grammy for Best Southern Gospel Recording in 2003.
The Christmas Carol Sing is a festival of holiday music and family fun. This year’s 90-minute performance also will feature the First Presbyterian Church Choir, soloists John Goulet, Linda Digman and Beverly Cox along with the Spiritual Voices and other special guests singing favorite holiday carols with audience sing-a-longs.
There is a strong rumor that Santa Claus will be making a surprise visit for the “children in all of us.”
Community Cooperative is an innovative nonprofit organization made up of social service entrepreneurs fighting to end homelessness and hunger in our community. It provides more than 15,000 meals each month through its Community Cafés and Meals on Wheels programs, distributes more than 500,000 pounds of groceries through its Mobile Food Pantries, and serves 6,500 individuals and families with homeless and comprehensive case management services through its Social & Education Resource Centers. A proud United Way partner, Community Cooperative serves Fort Myers and the greater Lee County area, including Bonita Springs, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Fort Myers Beach.
The church has been a strong supporter of the agency from the beginning and continues to support its ministry there by providing volunteers and other support for The Soup Kitchen and the Meals on Wheels program.
Galloway said cash donations are especially needed because Community Cooperative can buy five times as much food for the same amount of money that residents spend at local grocery stores.
Residents who cannot attend any of the Christmas Carol Sing performances may donate canned goods at either the Galloway Ford dealership on Boy Scout Drive or the Coconut Point Ford dealership on U.S. 41 in Estero or mail donations to Community Cooperative, P. O. Box 2143, Fort Myers, FL 33902. In addition to the Christmas Carol Sing, the Galloway Family of Dealerships also annually sponsors Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing scheduled for February 11, 2020. Both events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative.
For more information, call First Presbyterian Church at (239) 334-2261 or visit www.fpcfortmyers.org.
About First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers
First Presbyterian Church of Fort Myers, located at 2438 Second St. in downtown Fort Myers, is a community of faith, celebrating a loving God. First Presbyterian Church was founded in 1901 and continues to be an integral part of Lee County by presenting some of the area’s most well-attended events, such as “Mrs. Edison’s Hymn Sing” in February as part of the Edison Festival of Light and the “Christmas Carol Sing” in December. Both events benefit The Soup Kitchen of Community Cooperative, which was founded by First Presbyterian Church, along with other local churches, in 1984. Services are offered Sundays at 11 a.m. with Sunday Adult Education from 9:45 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. A nursery is available from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Hearing assistance equipment also is available.

Family Portrait Days at Thrive Senior Living on 11.22.19 and 11.23.19
Every  family receives one 8 X 10 photo and one family will win a 16 X 20” canvas.
There will be music and refreshments.
It is on Friday, 11/22/19, from 4:30-7:00PM and Saturday, 11/23/19, from 10:00AM – 1:00PM.
It is free and open to the public but space is limited so please RSVP to 239-349-3769.

FORT MYERS, FL. (November 15, 2019)— Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) Southwest Florida, Kravet Inc., and Home & Design magazine are proud to announce Project Design Phase II Southwest Florida! In 2016, the original six bedrooms of the Ronald McDonald House, as well as the kitchen, dining room, common areas, restrooms, laundry room, and all of the original flooring were revamped entirely by 20 generous leaders in the interior design industry, in celebration of the organization’s 20th Anniversary.
Now, in the three short years following the opening of Golisano Children’s Hospital, the beloved “home-away-from-home” is bursting at the seams. By providing a temporary haven in a secure and comfortable environment among other families sharing a similar burden, RMHC gives families the ability to focus on the healing of their child. However, a consistently full House with a waiting list has made it imperative to add six bedrooms to the existing House, thereby doubling its occupancy. Hence, Project Design Phase II Southwest Florida!
“We are overjoyed to have this incredible opportunity once again,” said Laura Ragain, executive director of RMHC SWFL. “We are so grateful to have half of these amazing designers return for Phase II, and we welcome those that were unable to participate in 2016.”
Project Design 2016 Chair Suzanne Costa of Suzanne Costa Interiors and Jeffrey Fisher of Jeffrey Fisher Home will lead as design co-chairs of Project Design Phase II. “I’m thrilled to be a part of Project Design Phase II and delighted to have the talented Jeffrey Fisher as my co-chair,” said Costa.
Participating designers and vendors will be attending a Designer Kick-Off Luncheon at the Kravet showroom on November 25th.
“We were excited to learn about the expansion of the Fort Myers House and jumped at the opportunity to sponsor,” said Ellen Kravet. At Kravet, we believe in the transformative power of design. We are honored to support the Ronald McDonald House in the best way we know how: by making it better for the families who will stay there.”
The following designers and vendors are graciously donating their time and talent to Project Design Phase II:

• Interior Designers
• Alexis Marie Interiors
• California Closets
• Dwayne Bergmann Interiors
• Ficarra Design Associates
• Jeffrey Fisher Home
• Jett and Company
• Judith Liegeois Designs
• Pamela Durkin Designs
• Renee Gaddis Interiors
• Republic of Décor
• Vendors & Sponsors
• Kravet
• Naples Flooring Company
• California Closets
• The Shade Store
• Cambria
• Phillip Jeffries
• Wilson Lighting
• Home & Design Magazine
• Venjhamin Reyes

About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida
Since its founding in 1996, Ronald McDonald House has served thousands of families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties, and other states and countries. Here, families find a “home away from home” while their children are undergoing medical treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Thousands more benefit from the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, two mobile healthcare units providing access to medical and dental services to underserved children, and by the Ronald McDonald Family Room®, located in Golisano Children’s Hospital.
About Kravet Inc. 
Kravet Inc., established in 1918, is the industry leader in the to-the-trade home furnishings industry. This fifth-generation family business distributes fabrics, furniture, wall coverings, trimmings, carpets, and accessories. The family’s commitment to innovation has helped the company transform from a small fabric house to a global leader, representing brands and designers from all over the world. Kravet Inc. owns Kravet Fabrics, Lee Jofa, Brunschwig & Fils, Groundworks, and GP & J Baker, all high-end fabric houses that specialize in style, luxury, and exceptional design. With locations in North America and worldwide, Kravet Inc. offers the highest level of customer service, quality products, and web technology for today’s design professional.
About Home & Design 
Home & Design is Southwest Florida’s leading luxury home publication with over 15 years in regional publishing. Our national-looking content focuses on the finest local resources, including architects, builders, interior designers, developers, and home furnishings. We print and distribute 30,000 copies of two, 350-page coffee table publications semi-annually to the most beautiful homes, industry partners, and bookstores in the Southwest Florida region.
 

Tuesday, December 3
5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.
This year promises to be better than ever, as Jim Larkin and his amazing team at the Crowne Plaza is creating a “home for the holidays” theme with Santa, live jazz ensemble, 1936 Ford Christmas tree pick-up truck, and lots of delicious food and libations!
Enjoy very heavy appetizers, carving stations, pasta station, mashed potato & sweet potato bar, make your own s’mores and more! One complimentary adult beverage included in ticket price, then cash bar. Come ready to deck the halls as there will be awards for best holiday-themed outfits!
$50 for Chamber members, $75 for future members.
The party is only a few days after Thanksgiving so make your reservation today.