Member News

The Thompson Agency, Inc. is hosting a food drive for the Buckingham Exceptional Center (BEC) this holiday season. BEC is a K-12th Grade Lee County School for special needs children. You can drop off non perishable items such as boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soups, packaged tuna, juice boxes, apple sauce, granola bars, etc. to the Fort Myers office location from now until the end of the year (Friday, December 28th deadline). The Fort Myers office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Contact the Fort Myers office with any questions at 239-689-8570 located at 2132 McGregor Blvd.

Toys for Tots is back at Stevens  Construction for the 10^th  year!  Last year, Toys for Tots had a 40% increase in kids served due to Irma and made Christmas brighter for 8,986 Lee County children!  Toys for Tots supplies toys to the Salvation Army, Child Care of Southwest Florida, The United Way and our local hospitals.  Parents do have to ensure a qualification process (proof of income, proof of address, other benefits received) to receive gifts.
So while you’re out Christmas shopping this weekend, please consider those kids that don’t have much to look forward to.  Stevens Construction is collecting new, non-gift wrapped toys for kids ages 0-12.    There is a specific need for boys ages 9-12 and infants.
Stevens  Construction will be collecting toys in our Fort Myers office located at 6208 Whiskey Creek Drive in Fort Myers thru December 19^th.

The Stillwater Grille is participating in the Harry Chapin Food Bank “Meals For Harry” Program. Guests at Stillwater Grille are being encouraged to “Round Up For Harry” to the nearest dollar on their guest checks between January 2-15, 2019 to go towards helping those in need of Lee County.  A check will be presented to the Harry Chapin Food Bank on January 16th.  This is in conjunction with the Hunger Walk that will be held on January 19th.
The Stillwater Grille is located at 13451 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL 33919.

CONRIC PR & Marketing is getting into the spirit of the holidays by participating in a toy drive for Lutheran Services Florida (LSF). LSF is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping refugees and their families with the services they need to acclimate to their new homes.
The public is asked to donate new, unused toys appropriate for children age 9 and under. Dolls and miniature cars and trucks are OK, but items that appeal to both boys and girls, like books and puzzles, are even better.
Donations can be dropped off  at CONRIC PR & Marketing, 6216 Whiskey Creek Dr., Suite B, Fort Myers, weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., through Dec. 17.
The toys will be distributed at a Christmas Celebration sponsored by StayWell on Dec. 22 at the LSF office in Fort Myers. Children will be able to have their picture taken with Santa Claus at the event, which will also include free haircuts, music and candy.
For more information call Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations, at CONRIC PR & Marketing at 239-690-9840.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2018) – Today, Joel Embiid is the only NBA player in the top five in both points per game and rebounds per game. In 2011, he helped lead Montverde Academy to the semifinals of the Culligan City of Palms Classic. Soon, top-ranked prospects Cole Anthony, Scottie Barnes, Vernon Carey Jr. and a host of others will descend on this year’s City of Palms with legitimate hopes of following the path Embiid and others blazed from Fort Myers to NBA stardom.
 
The 46th annual Culligan City of Palms Classic returns to Suncoast Credit Union Arena from Dec. 17-22, providing Southwest Florida a glimpse at supremely talented players already drawing attention from NBA personnel. Anthony, who leads powerhouse Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Virginia) into the tournament, is No. 2 in the 2020 mock draft compiled by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony.
 
“NBA scouts have long made a habit of visiting Fort Myers, and their motivation for coming is only getting stronger,” Culligan City of Palms Classic Executive Director John Naylor said. “With so much lottery-level talent coming through here, this is truly the cradle of the NBA.”
 
Five of the last nine No. 1 overall picks in the NBA Draft played in the Culligan City of Palms Classic, including Deandre Ayton, who became this year’s top pick after appearing at the City of Palms twice — in 2014 and 2016. John Wall, Kevin Love, Ben Simmons, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are just a few of the City of Palms alums now starring in the NBA.
 
Each day of this year’s Culligan City of Palms Classic carries intrigue, with Anthony taking the court for Oak Hill Academy on Monday, Dec. 17 at 8:45 p.m. against Sarasota Riverview. Defending champion University School (Fort Lauderdale), featuring both Barnes and Carey, opens up on Tuesday, Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. against St. Louis Vashon. The Edison National Bank Slam Dunk contest is a can’t-miss spectacle on Wednesday, Dec. 19 at 8:15 p.m. The last three days ratchet up the drama with the quarterfinals, semifinals and championship.
 
The event will have a local flavor as well, with crosstown rivals Fort Myers and Canterbury meeting in a game with free admission on Monday, Dec. 17 at 12:30 p.m. That comes on the heels of the North Law Firm City of Palms Premiere, which matches five teams from the main Culligan City of Palms Classic bracket with five Florida teams in a one-day showcase on Saturday, Dec. 15 at Lehigh Senior High School.
 
Lehigh will take part in the Premiere on its home floor and then move on to the Sunshine Series at Suncoast Credit Union Arena for a fourth straight appearance in the Culligan City of Palms Classic, giving senior shooting guard Delshawn Green the chance to join a select club of four-time City of Palms players.
 
Single-day preferred, reserved and general admission tickets are now on sale. Six-day preferred and reserved packages are also available, and so is a VIP parking pass. Tickets may be purchased at cityofpalmsclassic.com or by calling 1-800-440-7469. Tickets are also available Mondays through Fridays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Suncoast Credit Union Arena box office on 13351 FSW Parkway and the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall box office on 13350 FSW Parkway.
 
The Culligan City of Palms Classic offers discounted group rates. Call John Naylor at 239-489-1085 for more information.
 
About the Culligan City of Palms Classic
 
Founded in 1973, the City of Palms tournament began, like so many tournaments today, as a simple, local holiday basketball tournament. Over the years, the tournament grew and expanded its scope to include the nation’s finest athletes and teams, and during the past 23 years, it has set the standard by which all tournaments are compared. Classic Basketball Inc. is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation created for the purpose of managing the Culligan City of Palms Classic. For more information and to sign up for the eNewsletter, visit cityofpalmsclassic.com.
 
 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2018) – Fireworks will light up the sky as champagne bottles pop and cheers ring in the new year at Gather and Fathoms. The premier waterfront dining spots in Cape Coral are hosting astounding New Year’s Eve celebrations on Monday, Dec. 31.
 
The sumptuous preset menu from executive chefs Fabrice Deletrain and Benjamin Voisin starts with an irresistible mini bread and a warm, inviting Maine lobster bisque. The Surf & Turf main course features braised sterling silver beef short rib and a grilled sugar cane shrimp skewer along with black truffle whipped potatoes, serrano ham wrapped asparagus and cabernet demi-glace. Then comes a mouthwatering Norman Love New Year’s Eve dessert, plus a complimentary glass of champagne to usher out the old and in the new.
 
At Gather, that menu expands to include a tempting amuse bouche and Scottish smoked salmon. Gather’s mixologists are also offering a complimentary signature drink in place of the traditional champagne for those who seek adventure.
 
Live music from Jeff Lyons at Gather and Soapy Tuna at Fathoms will mingle with the evening air, and a grand fireworks show at each location will draw the night and the year to a triumphant conclusion. The reservation-only dinner costs $90 per person at Gather and $80 per person at Fathoms. Six percent sales tax and 20 percent gratuity will be added to the bill.
 
Call Gather at 239-673-9939 or Fathoms at 239-542-0123 to reserve a table. Keep up with all the happenings at gathercape.com and fathomsrestaurant.com
 
About Gather and Hoffman Group Holdings
With decades of experience, Hoffman Group Holdings LLC (HGH) is a hospitality company that owns Gather at Tarpon Point Marina and Fathoms Restaurant & Bar and The French Press at Cape Harbour Marina. The mission of HGH is to continue to grow as one of the most competitive and performance driven companies, with respect and support to the Cape Coral and Southwest Florida community. Timothy and Meredith Hoffman, in partnership with Chef Benjamin Voisin and Valeria Zanella Voisin, are the leading minds behind this group of highly acclaimed eating establishments. Timothy and Meredith own also Montpelier Plantation & Beach, a Relais & Chateaux property in Nevis, West Indies.
 
 

Naples, FL – This year’s Iron Joe Turkey Ride was the biggest in 14 years with over 350 participants. The weather was perfect, the routes were well-marked, the food was delicious, the beer was ice cold, the band was top notch, the staff and volunteers ran the event seamlessly, and the guest speakers made everyone laugh and cry. Participants rode either 62 , 40, or 20 miles, and adults and children alike enjoyed the  5-mile Family Fun Ride and scavenger hunt.
 
Naples Pathways Coalition, non-profit event host, was pleased to have special guest Bill Conner at the ride. In 2017, he went on a 2,600-mile Ride for Life to honor his daughter and encourage people to sign up to become organ donors. Mark Barber, another special guest, had joined Bill on the last 66 miles of his ride to Fort Lauderdale, just a year after receiving a heart transplant. Mark drove over from the east coast to join Bill at the Iron Joe Turkey Ride and gave a heart-warming introduction before he addressed the large crowd. (video link below). Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency was on-site at the ride to answer questions about organ donation and helped numerous people sign up to become organ donors after hearing from Bill Conner and Mark Barber.
 
Naples Pathways Coalition is grateful to title sponsor, Florida Community Bank; presenting sponsors Fit & Fuel Café and Food & Thought Organic Café; silver sponsor, the Kelleher Firm; and beer sponsor Momentum Brewhouse. Bike shops Naples Cyclery and Cycle followed the cyclists by vehicle to fix flat tires and provide other assistance. Many thanks also go out to numerous volunteers who helped make this another world-class experience for our participants.
 
Facebook link to Mark Barber and Bill Conner speak to the 350+ participants after the ride: https://www.facebook.com/mark.barber1/videos/10217382554457431/UzpfSTExNTkxOTE3Mjk6MTAyMTcyMDAxNjQ5MzM3Mzk/
 
YouTube link to view Bill Conner meet the recipient of his daughter’s heart, Loumonth Jack, Jr.:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POar-gS8izk
 
About Naples Pathways Coalition: Naples Pathways Coalition, Inc. is a private, 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established in 2005. Its mission is to create safe, bikeable and walkable communities in Collier County. It is funded through membership, private donations, corporate sponsorships, fundraising events and grants.
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Naples Pathways Coalition
300 Fifth Ave. South
Suite 101, #464
Naples, FL 34102
Call or text: 239.777.7718
[email protected]
www.NaplesPathways.org
 

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (Nov. 30, 2018) – Sullivan State Farm will be bringing many smiles to hundreds of children and families in the Cape Coral community this holiday season.
State Farm agents Dawn and Michael Sullivan at 2708 Santa Barbara Blvd., #120, Cape Coral are collecting new, unwrapped toys and gifts through Dec. 16 to benefit Alexander’s Toy Drive in conjunction with the Cape Coral Police Department.
The Sullivan Agency will serve as a drop off point for those wishing to donate a new, unwrapped toy appropriate for a six-year-old boy in memory of Alexander. Sullivan State Farm agents Dawn and Michael Sullivan and their staff will also be donating gifts to the cause. Toys will be donated to the Cape Coral Police Department in Alexander’s name.
Some of the toys the drive hopes to collect include:
Arts and crafts supplies, bikes, scooters, skateboards, board games, cards, puzzles, books, journals, action figures, gift cards, headphones, speakers, Lego sets, movie and theme park tickets, musical instruments, new or refurbished electronics, remote control vehicles or drones, sports equipment, and video games.
On Dec. 14, 2013 Rachel and Ryan Gentile tragically lost their infant son Alexander in an accidental drowning. That Christmas, they decided to donate all of his toys to a little boy his age. They’ve carried on that tradition each year since, proudly supported by the Sullivan Agency.
 
About the Sullivan State Farm Agency
Established in 2007, the Sullivan State Farm Agency is the office of State Farm agent Michael Sullivan and State Farm agent Dawn Sullivan. The family-focused business specializes in helping families and small business owners find the insurance coverage to protect their loved ones at every stage in life. For more information about Michael Sullivan, visit mikesullivan1.com. For more information about Dawn Sullivan, visit dawnsullivan.net. To contact the office, call 239-541-3276.
 

We will be hosting a food drive for the Buckingham Exceptional Center (BEC) this holiday season. BEC is a K-12th Grade Lee County School for special needs children.
You can drop off non perishable items such as boxed macaroni and cheese, canned soups, packaged tuna, juice boxes, apple sauce, granola bars, etc. to our Fort Myers office location from now until the end of the year (Friday, December 28th deadline).
Our Fort Myers office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5:30pm. Contact our Fort Myers office with any questions at 239-689-8570 located at 2132 McGregor Blvd.
 
 
 
Cindy Palmquist
Licensed Agent
The Thompson Agency, Inc
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA (November 27, 2018) Kids in Southwest Florida have good reason to have an even merrier Christmas this year. Stockings 4 Kids, an event founded by business trainer Lee Knapp, will share the magic and love of Christmas by providing 2,500 children in our community with Christmas stockings full of toys and treats.
The event found its origins in a local soup kitchen where Knapp volunteered and overheard a conversation between mothers who didn’t have any money to purchase their children Christmas presents. She stuffed 100 stockings, brought them back to the soup kitchen and it was a big hit! That was in 2008. Now in its 10th year, the goal is to bless 2,500 kids with toy-filled stockings. With the assistance of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, these stockings will be distributed to 25 United Way charities.
“We love sponsoring this event because not only will many kids receive gifts, but numerous children and their parents get to experience the joy of giving,” says Mike Clark, President of United Mechanical.
Clark is referring to 100 kids who volunteer to stuff stockings, also known as Santa’s Elves. The elves learn about the importance of reaching out to help other children and experience the loving feeling of making a difference for another child.
To make the whole event work, Stockings 4 Kids reaches out to the Southwest Florida community for donations, sponsorships, and volunteers. Each stocking costs $15 and 100% of all donations goes toward the cost of the stockings and their contents. The United Way of Lee County also partners with the event to provide tax deductions to donors.
“For the past few years, United Mechanical has provided warehouse space and decorated it so that it looks like Santa’s workshop for stuffing day,” said Knapp. “This year the United Way will provide space for Santa’s Elves to pack. We’re grateful for the United Way and the UMI team for their contributions to reach our goal this year.”
On Friday, December 7, 2018 from 5:30 – 8:00pm, event organizers are inviting donors to an open house where they can get a sneak peak of Santa’s Workshop. It will be held at the United Way Corporate Office at 7273 Concourse Dr in Fort Myers. To donate, visit Stockings4Kids.com. To attend the open house, RSVP here. Donors are encouraged to bring guests so that more people come to learn about this holiday project. Finally, Stuffing Day takes place Saturday morning December 8th in the same building.
ABOUT UNITED MECHANICAL, INC.
Since 1988, United Mechanical has provided businesses and residents of Fort Myers AC repair, HVAC installations and replacements, indoor air quality improvements, and air conditioning maintenance. They have been the Stockings 4 Kids event sponsor since 2014.