Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 11, 2019) – Blessings in a Backpack partnered with McLeod’s Construction, Paint & Restoration to pack more than 500 meals for local school children that otherwise may go hungry. The two organizations gathered on Thursday, Nov. 7 at McLeod’s offices to pack nutritious, kid-friendly meals for Franklin Park Elementary students to take home on the weekends, a time frame the federal free and reduced-price school lunch program doesn’t cover.
Along with McLeod’s Construction, Paint & Restoration; Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass and the Tommy Bohanon Foundation helped to make this event a huge success.
Blessings in a Backpack feeds more than 4,600 children in Lee and Collier counties. That number continues to grow with more donations. A tax-deductible donation of $100 provides a child with food on the weekends for an entire school year. The organization seeks volunteers and corporate partners as well. Visit blessingsinswfl.org to see how you can make a difference.
Blessings in a Backpack helps prevent hunger
Blessings in a Backpack steps up where federal aid stops by feeding children on the weekend. Every Friday afternoon, children receive packages filled with nutritious, kid-friendly, ready-to-eat food items. Students return to school every Monday morning with a full stomach and an eager mind. In partnership with Lee and Collier county schools, Blessings in a Backpack has helped dramatically improve test scores, reading skills, behavior and general health.
Kids are our future; you can help secure theirs. A $100 donation will feed a child for one full school year. Donations of all sizes are welcome through the donations portal at blessingsinswfl.org or via mail at P.O. Box 61402 Fort Myers, FL 33906. All contributions are tax-deductible.

FORT MYERS, FLA., November 6, 2019 – Angela Frink, APRN, of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida has earned certification as a Certified Lactation Counselor.
The certification is awarded by the Academy of Lactation Policy and Practice to professionals who have demonstrated the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to provide clinical breastfeeding counseling and management support to families who are considering breastfeeding or have questions about lactation.
Frink completed 52 hours of training and passed an examination based upon her workplace competencies.
She assists pediatricians in the Cape Coral office of Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida at 1261 Viscaya Parkway.
Frink is a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and her Master of Science degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner.
She has more than 12 years of nursing experience, including two years in management positions prior to earning her degree as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, which is the new title for what was formerly known as ARNP.
Physicians’ Primary Care of Southwest Florida, a physician-owned and operated medical practice, was formed in 1996 by many long practicing local physicians and has grown to become the largest physician-owned primary care practice in Southwest Florida.
Offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Lehigh Acres.  For more information, visit www.ppcswfl.com.
 
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 8, 2019) – Zawyer Sports, owner of the Fort Myers Miracle baseball club and Jacksonville Icemen hockey team, as well as operator of spring training for the Minnesota Twins and Hammond Stadium, has announced a new management team for the growing company.

Andrew Kaufman, CEO of Jacksonville-based Zawyer Sports, has named Bob Ohrablo as president of Zawyer Sports. Ohrablo will oversee operations for both the Miracle and Icemen, as well as future Zawyer Sports business interests.

Ohrablo has 36 years of experience operating professional sports franchises and was a founding partner of the Orlando Solar Bears and Jacksonville Icemen hockey teams, which both compete in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL). Prior roles include executive director of strategic partnerships for Visit Orlando, chief operating officer and managing partner for the Solar Bears, consultant with Whalers Sports and Entertainment, vice president of marketing for Laminate US, director of new business development for the Florida Panthers/Sunrise Sports and Entertainment, chief operating officer for the Syracuse Crunch, director of marketing for the Kansas City Blades, executive vice president for the Phoenix Roadrunners, sports information director for Binghamton State University and ticket manager for the New York Sets, which later became the Apples.

A Floridian for the past 19 years, Ohrablo earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Binghamton University and a master’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University’s H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business.

“We will focus on continuing to create an affordable, family-friendly environment for Miracle fans in Southwest Florida while being a strong community partner for local organizations,” Ohrablo said. “I am proud of the work our team has accomplished in other markets and look forward to directing a long and exciting future of baseball in Fort Myers. I am also grateful for the support and encouragement we’ve received from our great partners, the Minnesota Twins.”

Kaufmann formed Kaufy Baseball, LLC in September 2018 before acquiring controlling ownership of the Miracle in January 2019. Kaufmann created SZH Hockey, LLC in May 2019 and acquired the Jacksonville Icemen in July 2019. Zawyer Sports is the corporation that oversees the two LLCs.

The Miracle are the Class-A Advanced Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and have played at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers since 1992. The team won Florida State League championships in 2014 and 2018, and claimed the first half division title in 2019 while averaging 1,909 fans per game for the season, third among 12 FSL teams.

The Icemen formed in 2017 and play in the South division of the East Coast Hockey League as an affiliate of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets and AHL’s Manitoba Moose. Home games are played at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville. The Icemen qualified for the ECHL playoffs in 2019 and finished third in attendance among 27 teams in the ECHL, averaging 5,993 fans per game.

Chris Peters, formerly the president and general manager of the Miracle, has been promoted to vice president of corporate partnerships and baseball ventures for Zawyer Sports. He will oversee sponsorship sales and services for both Zawyer Sports teams.

Scott Einhorn, who directed day-to-day sales and marketing operations for the Icemen, will perform the same duties for both Zawyer clubs.

Lauren Muni, who was director of marketing for the Icemen, will fill a similar role and responsibilities for both Zawyer teams.

Additionally, Zawyer Sports has promoted Judd Loveland, the Miracle’s assistant general manager for the past two seasons, to the position of general manager for the Miracle. He will manage day-to-day operations for Hammond Stadium as well as team operations, and have a key role in all decisions impacting the Miracle franchise.

“By operating the two organizations as one, we are able to bring a diverse, talented leadership team to both organizations,” Kaufmann said. “Miracle fans are among the most loyal in all of minor league baseball, and I’m excited for what’s to come as we prepare for the 2020 season.”

Kaufmann created the name “Zawyer” by combining the first names of his two children, Zachary and Sawyer.

About the Miracle

The Fort Myers Miracle are the Class-A Advanced Affiliate of the Minnesota Twins and have played home games at Hammond Stadium since 1992. The Miracle won the 2018 Florida State League Championship, the team’s second title in five years, and won the first half division title in 2019. Notable Miracle alumni include Joe Mauer, Jose Berrios, Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano and Torii Hunter. Follow the Miracle online at MiracleBaseball.com or through its social media channels: Twitter (@MiracleBaseball), Instagram (fortmyersmiracle), Facebook (Fort Myers Miracle) and Snapchat (ftmyersmiracle). For questions or ticket information, call the Miracle at 239-768-4210.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 7, 2019) — Shell Point Retirement Community’s skilled nursing center, The Larsen Pavilion, recently earned multiple recognitions for its high quality of care and overall performance ratings by Newsweek, U.S. News & World Report and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).

“We are honored to receive these rankings,” said Christy Skinner, senior director of healthcare at Shell Point. “It shows that our resident care and quality are among the best based on national and federal ratings, which are not easy to obtain. This is a major achievement, and we are proud to have earned these recognitions.”

Newsweek and global data research firm Statista Inc. evaluated more than 15,000 nursing homes to establish a ranking of “Best Nursing Homes” in the U.S. Factors included overall performance ratings, staffing, reputation and health inspections, as well as quality measures of resident care.

Among the 54 best nursing homes recognized in Florida, Shell Point ranked number four on the list.

U.S. News & World Report included Shell Point’s 219-bed Larsen Pavilion skilled nursing facility in its 2019-2020 Best Nursing Homes report, which is based on the community’s high performance ratings in short-term and long-term care, as well as patient satisfaction.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) credited The Larsen Pavilion with a coveted five out of five star rating overall, as well as five out of five stars in the categories of quality measures and staffing. The ratings provide potential residents and their families with an easy-to-understand assessment of nursing home quality, and to make meaningful distinctions between high- and low-performing nursing homes.

Located in the Waterside Medical Complex on The Island at Shell Point, the 219-bed Larsen Pavilion skilled nursing facility offers personalized and compassionate healthcare. The Larsen Pavilion also provides memory care for medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or stroke-related dementia. Its state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Center offers inpatient and outpatient rehabilitative and individualized therapy to the Southwest Florida community, as well as to Shell Point residents.

The Larsen Pavilion welcomes individuals from anywhere in Southwest Florida and is Medicare-approved. For information about admissions in the Larsen Pavilion or for outpatient services through Shell Point’s Rehabilitation Center, call 239-415-5432.

Shell Point Retirement Community, founded in 1968, is a nonprofit continuing care retirement community (CCRC) located along the Caloosahatchee River in Fort Myers, Florida, just two miles before Sanibel Island. Shell Point offers independent retirement living, assisted living, and skilled nursing in an active, resort-style environment for 2,500 residents. To learn more, visit www.shellpoint.org or call 1-800-780-1131.

Note to Media: Blessings in a Backpack is partnering with McLeod Construction employees to pack 500 bags of food to feed students at Franklin Park Elementary School. State Representative Heather Fitzenhagen, Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, State Attorney Amira Fox, and former NFL player Tommy Bohanon are scheduled to take part in the packing event as well.
They’ll fill backpacks with kid-friendly, ready-to-eat items given each Friday to students in need. Students return to school on Mondays with an empty backpack, a full stomach and an eager mind.
We look forward to seeing you there.
WHAT: Corporate packing event
WHEN: Today, November 7, 4:30 p.m.
WHERE: McLeod Construction, 6360 Corporate Park Circle, Fort Myers 33966
WHY: It’s becoming increasingly difficult for parents to feed their children in Southwest Florida. Inflation, job loss and low wages are profound challenges for many parents. Blessings in a Backpack works to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children who would otherwise go hungry.
CONTACT: Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations at CONRIC PR & Marketing, 239-690-9840, [email protected]

Fort Myers, FL (November 6, 2019) – Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Southwest Florida announces plans for a House expansion that is scheduled to break ground in mid-November.  Through silent fundraising, the organization has raised eighty percent – in cash and pledges – toward the capital campaign target of three million dollars. A $500,000 Challenge Grant from the Clark Family Foundation will be used to encourage new donations from first-time donors and increased donations from previous donors. Campaign Co-Chairs Jim Nathan and Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist kicked-off the capital campaign at a House Expansion Launch Party at the Ronald McDonald House on Monday, October 21st.
The Ronald McDonald House provides a home-away-from-home for families with children who require medical attention. The Charities’ family centered programs make a difference by improving the clinical outcomes and experience for the children and their families. With the ever-growing medical services and advancements of Golisano Children’s Hospital, the need for additional space at the Ronald McDonald House will grow as well.
The house expansion will consist of:

• Six additional bedrooms
• Two additional offices
• One additional public restroom
• One storage closet
• Entry hallway
• Additional parking
• Structural improvements to the existing 23-year-old House, including, but not limited to:
• HVAC
• Hurricane impact windows
• Soffit/fascia repair & replacements

The community is encouraged to help Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwest Florida provide stability and resources to even more families so they can be near their children while they receive the care they need.
To donate or for more information, please go to rmhcswfl.org/house-expansion or call Amy at 239-437-0202.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida is to create, find and support programs that directly impact the health and well-being of children and their families in Southwest Florida. RMHC of Southwest supports the Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, Ronald McDonald Family Room®, as well as Grants and the RMHC U.S. Scholars Programs. To learn more, visit rmhcswfl.org OR facebook.com/RMHCswflorida/ 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 5, 2019) — MY Shower Door / D3 Glass is counting on generous hearts to make this a special holiday season for families at Golisano Children’s Hospital. From now until Dec. 6, people can bring new, unwrapped toys to any of the three MY Shower Door locations in Fort Myers and Naples; TWO39 Work in Bonita Springs; Brown and Brown Insurance in Fort Myers and Naples; Audi of Fort Myers and CONRIC PR & Marketing in Fort Myers.
MY Shower Door co-owner Bill Daubmann said his company is partnering with Lee Health to spread Christmas cheer to families whose holidays deserve a special present through the Golisano Children’s Hospital Toy Drive and the Golisano Snow Pile Room, where toys are delivered. To help people with ideas for what families might need, a Child Life Wish List is available online at myshowerdoor.com/toys.
This drive has special meaning for MY Shower Door / D3 Glass employees. The infant daughter of company controller Jared Larson and his wife, Liz, a nurse at Gulf Coast Hospital, died from a rare birth disorder called trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome. She spent nine days in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Golisano before going home. She lived for 22 days. This toy drive and a toy collection by MY Shower Door employees two years ago are in honor of Emma.
“Emma touched a lot of lives,” Jared said. “The families in the hospital are going through tough times and we want to support them. It is not only hard on mom and dad but also hard on the siblings. What impresses me was how caring (Golisano employees) were, especially the nurses. Our nurse went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed. It was like being part of the family.”
Now, Emma’s memory lives on.
“We wanted to set this up as a legacy to Emma,” Daubmann said.
Among wish list ideas are:
Infants and toddlers: Pop-up toys, light-up toys, rattles, teething toys, musical toys, toy phones.
Pre-school: Crayons, markers, Play-Doh, doctor play kits, action figures, animal figurines, balls.
School age: Lego sets, action figures, harmonicas, board games, card games, remote control cars, Barbies.
Teens: Plain t-shirts to decorate, PlayStation 4 games, over-the-door basketball hoops, advanced craft sets, gift cards for iTunes, GameStop, Walmart or Target.
Other items needed are shampoo, body wash, lotion, toothpaste, Chapstick, hair brushes and hair ties, nail care kits, deodorant and pajamas (infant to adult size).
Toys can be dropped off at:

• MY Shower Door – 14261 S. Tamiami Trail, No. 2, Fort Myers,
• MY Shower Door – 13500 N. Tamiami Trail, north Naples,
• MY Shower Door – 1200 Central Ave., No. 103, south Naples,
• TWO39 Work – 24301 Walden Center Dr Suite 300, Bonita Springs,
• Brown & Brown Insurance – 6611 Orion Dr #201, Fort Myers,
• Brown & Brown Insurance – 1421 Pine Ridge Rd #200, Naples,
• Audi of Fort Myers – 10050 Daniels Interstate Ct, Fort Myers,
• CONRIC PR & Marketing – 6216 Whiskey Creek Dr., Suite B, Fort Myers.

MY Shower Door / D3 Glass
MY Shower Door opened its first frameless shower door showroom in Naples in
2003, with manufacturing component D3 Glass starting in 2013. Since then, the company has grown to seven Florida showrooms with over 100 employees. MY Shower Door / D3 Glass is owned by the Daubmann family of Bill and Donna Daubmann along with sons Keith and Doug. The Daubmanns have been involved in the frameless shower door industry since the mid-1980s, revolutionizing the design, installation and marketing of their products and services. They have received local, regional and national recognition for their business accomplishments and products, including the “Business Ambassador” award from then-Gov. Rick Scott. MY Shower Door is a four-time recipient of the INC 5,000 “Fastest Growing Companies in the United States” distinction. For more information, call Bill Daubmann at 239-596-3255 or visit MYShowerDoor.com.