BUILDING THE WALLS OF LOVE FOR A PERMANENT HOME FOR VALERIE’S HOUSE

FORT MYERS, FLA., February 23, 2017 – Supporters of Valerie’s House tore down the walls of grief and built up the walls of Love at a unique fund-raiser hosted February 22 by Norman and Mary Love.
More than $275,000 was raised through a series of unique opportunities to give at the new temporary home of Valerie’s House, which just opened at 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers.
“We wanted to do something to help Valerie’s House, which helps children who have lost a parent or guardian by providing a safe place for them to express their feelings and restore their sense of well-being,” said Norman and Mary Love.
Valerie’s House has helped 350 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987. The non-profit organization uses art and music to help children identify, express and process their grief.
During the evening, guests had the opportunity to:

• View masks created by grieving children to express their feelings.  The masks are part of their therapy at Valerie’s House;
• Sign and/or leave inspirational messages on a canvas called the “Wall of Love” that will hang in the new home of Valerie’s House;
• Participate in a raffle for a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry designed and donated by Mark Loren Designs.

Guests nibbled on appetizers donated by area restaurants and spirits donated by Sandy Stilwell and Southern Wine & Spirits while viewing artwork created by the children of Valerie’s House.  Food was donated and prepared by the following chefs: Ben Voisin and Fabrice Deletrain of Gather; Todd Johnson of Rumrunners; Bob Boye of Cru; Jay Johnson of Bubba’s Roadhouse & Saloon; and Norman Love Confections.
Other sponsors included Friendly Faces, Planned Perfection, and Susan Bennett Marketing & Media, L.C.
For more information about Valerie’s House or to register a family for programs, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/contact-us/, call 239-478-6734, or write [email protected].  Valerie’s House is fully supported through community donations that can be made online at www.valerieshouseswfl.org or by mail to Valerie’s House, Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.
 
 
About Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and is serving more than 120 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has two locations: 1762 Fowler St.  in downtown Fort Myers and a satellite location at The Village School in Naples.