Member News

Better Together, a nonprofit dedicated to families and children, is hosting a Christmas-themed celebration for Southwest Florida families on Friday, Dec. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Better Together organizes programs at various locations to bring parents together for community, to support each other, and often hear from expert speakers, while their children play supervised in another room. The celebration will provide background-checked volunteers in addition to dinner, games and fun for children while parents attend the event. In December, both parents and children can enjoy holiday fun, pictures with Santa, Christmas crafts and food provided by local vendors.

“The holidays can be both an exciting and stressful time for parents, and we’re here to provide some extra support this season” said Megan Rose, CEO of Better Together. “Our Christmas celebration will help spread some holiday cheer and allow parents to enjoy dinner and companionship while their children enjoy holiday festivities.”

The Dec. 15 event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Christ Community Church, located at 4050 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. There is no cost to attend. To register, visit BetterTogetherUS.org/lunch-rsvp/ or call 239-470-2733.

ABOUT BETTER TOGETHER
Better Together is a nonprofit organization that helps parents going through a hard time keep their kids out of foster care, find work and address the root causes of their struggle so that they can reunite as a family with the tools and support system to thrive. A privately funded and professionally supported organization, Better Together is made up of volunteers who believe helping people help themselves is the best way to restore dignity and bring families together. Through the Better Families program, families are offered a preventive alternative to foster care while they get the help they need. To date, the program has kept 98% of children served out of foster care. The Better Jobs program was created to address the 76% of families that come to Better Together because of economic hardship tied to unemployment. In addition to community job fairs, the program offers job seekers coaching, guidance, support and encouragement through local church partners. For more information, visit BetterTogetherUS.org.

Coral Ridge Funeral Home would like to officially invite you, your team and GFMCC membership to our Jewish Dedication Ceremony on Sunday December 10th @ 1100am.

We will hold an unveiling/dedication of our Jewish Arch at the Gate of our Hebrew Burial section, that was destroyed by Hurricane Ian.
Additional activities will include a Re-Blessing of our Jewish Garden, Prayer for Israel by Cantor Barry (Temple Beth Shalom), Dedication of Altar for Israel, with refreshments following.

Savour Coffee, Southwest Florida’s new and unique coffee shop, held its grand opening celebration recently and welcomed guests with an array of drinks and freshly made pastries.

Coffee enthusiasts, business leaders and area residents all joined owner Matt Geiger, his wife Mimi and the staff at Savour for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the opening of Matt’s longtime dream. The distinctive layout, combining his catering business, Savour First Choice Catering, with his new coffee shop, gave guests a one-of-a-kind look “behind the scenes” of his catering kitchen. This design is one of the ways in which Savour Coffee is set apart from others in the area.

Matt expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and turnout from the community, stating, “We are thrilled to bring Savour Coffee to Fort Myers. Our passion for quality coffee and a welcoming atmosphere is reflected in everything we do. We look forward to becoming a valued spot for coffee lovers and a gathering place for friends and neighbors.”

Savour Coffee is located in the Island Park Shopping Center, 16520 S. Tamiami Trail #138, Fort Myers. It is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. and Saturday, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. For more information about Savour Coffee, please visit savourcoffee.com or call 239-351-5547.

ABOUT SAVOUR COFFEE

Savour Coffee was started thanks to the passion of its owner Chef Matt Geiger. After years of working in restaurants, cafes and opening his own catering company, it was time to take an early passion of his and make it a reality. Savour Coffee was brought to life when Geiger was building his new catering facility. Using locally roasted coffee that’s delivered weekly, combined with his twist on familiar menu items featuring breakfast, lunch and pastry options he was able to compliment his specialty beverage menu of not only espresso drinks, but some creations of his own. For more information about Savour Coffee, please visit savourcoffee.com or call 239-351-5547.

Following another year of business growth and opportunities in Lee County, the Horizon Council, Horizon Foundation and Lee County Economic Development Office will host the 2024 Annual Meeting on Feb. 1.

The 2024 Annual Meeting will feature a State of the Economy, recapping the tremendous growth Lee County has seen, such as the beginning of expansion at Southwest Florida International Airport, the opening of the long-awaited Margaritaville Beach Resort on Fort Myers Beach and hundreds of other new businesses. Additionally, the meeting will offer a preview of the vision for business growth and development for 2024.

The 2024 Annual Meeting will take place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 1 at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, 1380 Colonial Blvd. in Fort Myers. The event includes networking, a buffet lunch, the annual review and a “passing of the gavel” celebration to formally recognize outgoing and incoming leadership.

Registration for the event is now open at https://horizoncouncilfoundation.com/am2024/. Tickets are $35 and include lunch.

About the Horizon Foundation

The Horizon Foundation was established in 1995-96 to provide a funding vehicle for businesses to invest in Lee County’s long-term economic development and vitality. In 2000, the Horizon Foundation received its IRS ruling as a charitable 501(c)(3) organization. The Foundation raises private-sector money to support efforts of the Lee County Economic Development Office and the Horizon Council to improve the area’s business climate. For more information, please visit LeeCountyBusiness.com/Horizon-Foundation or HorizonCouncilFoundation.com, or call 239-533-6800.

About the Horizon Council

The Horizon Council is a public-private board established in 1991 to advise the Lee County Board of Commissioners on economic development issues. The Council has up to 80 members representing cities; chambers of commerce; economic development and trade organizations; community, business, and education organizations; along with various officers and at-large members. The Horizon Council is the voice of business in Lee County. The Council’s mission is to improve Lee County’s business environment, retain and encourage the expansion of existing businesses, and attract new and diversified employers. It is the only public-private partnership of Lee County Government and business leaders. Visit LeeCountyBusiness.com/Horizon-Council for more information.

About the Lee County Economic Development Office

The Lee County Economic Development Office provides business assistance to retain existing businesses, encourage entrepreneurship and attract new business to provide a strong economy and thriving communities. The office also works to improve opportunities for the workforce to advance skills and have access to career ladders. Lee EDO has published a Development Activity Story Map that allows the public to explore new private development projects and investment activity in the county. Visit LeeCountyBusiness.com for more information.

LYNX AIR TO START SERVICE TO FORT MYERS TODAY

– NONSTOP FLIGHT TO TORONTO, CANADA –

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is excited to welcome Lynx Air as a new air carrier in Fort Myers, Florida. Lynx will inaugurate its nonstop flight to Toronto, Canada (YYZ) today, Dec. 1, 2023. Lynx Air, an ultra-low-cost Canadian airline, will operate four flights per week between RSW and YYZ.  

See Lynx Air news release here. To book or find out more information, please visit FlyLynx.com.  

For more information about Southwest Florida International Airport, please visit flylcpa.com or facebook.com/flyRSW.

DEC. 1, 2023

Please note:  Florida has a very broad public records law. Most written communications to or from Port Authority employees and officials regarding Port Authority business are public records available to the public and media upon request. Your email communication may be subject to public disclosure.

FGCU Board of Trustees to meet virtually Dec. 7

FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Florida Gulf Coast University Board of Trustees will meet virtually at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 7. The live webcast is available at www.fgcu.edu/boardcast.

Click here to view the agenda.

Public comment on agenda items must be sent by email to treynold@fgcu.edu no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6. Comments will be read into the record during the virtual meeting. 

For more information, contact Director of Board Relations Tiffany Reynolds at treynold@fgcu.edu or visit the website for the Board of Trustees at www.fgcu.edu/about/leadership/fgcuboardoftrustees.

–FGCU–

Under Florida law, email addresses are public records. If you do not want your email address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing.

LMCU Hires Kevin Smith as Chief Information Officer

Grand Rapids, MI. (November 20, 2023) – Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) is proud to announce the hiring of Kevin Smith as its new chief information officer (CIO). With over 35 years of experience in the technology sector, Smith brings an unparalleled expertise in driving digital innovation and harnessing emerging technologies to drive success.
Prior to joining LMCU, Smith served as an executive leader at Acrisure and Highstreet Insurance Partners, where he played a pivotal role in using technology to optimize operations, expediate growth, and enhance customer experiences. Additionally, his tenure at Arete on the cybersecurity and defense team furthered his expertise in safeguarding business and client information.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Smith to LMCU as our new Chief Information Officer,” said LMCU President and CEO, Sandy Jelinski. “His extensive experience and practical approach to technology will be invaluable as we continue to innovate our digital offerings for our members and enhance our cybersecurity.”
At LMCU, Smith will lead the charge in implementing cutting-edge technologies, driving data-driven strategies, and fortifying cybersecurity measures to ensure the highest level of member data protection.
“Joining Lake Michigan Credit Union is an incredible opportunity for me to drive positive transformations and push the boundaries of what’s possible in data, AI, and other emerging technologies,” said Kevin Smith. “I am excited to collaborate with the talented team at LMCU and contribute to furthering its reputation for innovation and member-centric solutions.”
Beyond his professional life, Kevin is married to Renee and a proud father of four. He is an alumnus of Western Michigan University.
Lake Michigan Credit Union, established in 1933, is the largest credit union in Michigan and 15th largest in the country. Employing a staff of over 1,650 and serving 590,000 members, LMCU’s assets exceed $12 billion, with over $14.3 billion in portfolio and serviced mortgages. LMCU has 69 convenient branch locations, including 21 across Central and Southwest Florida. LMCU members have access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs worldwide. LMCU provides a full range of financial services, from high interest-bearing checking accounts to personal loans, mortgages, commercial banking, investments, and insurance. To find out more, visit LMCU.org.