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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Dec. 20, 2019) – The 10th annual Golisano Children’s Hospital Fashion Show raised more than $119,000 to support Kids’ Minds Matter, the pediatric mental and behavioral health movement in Southwest Florida.
The high-spirited affair, held Dec. 6 at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, attracted more than 470 guests and featured a gourmet luncheon, fashion show and multiple fundraising opportunities.
Upon entering the foyer outside the ballroom, attendees had a chance to participate in the auction for chances to win items like hotel stays, handbags, artwork, social outings and more. Another unique fundraising attraction was the flower wall, where guests selected a flower and won a corresponding prize, which included purses, jewelry, picture frames and gift baskets.
More than a dozen models participated in the fashion show, including representatives and physicians from Lee Health, community leaders representing supporting business, as well as current and former Golisano Children’s Hospital patients Kayden and Brantley Sellick, Lucas and Skye Saunders, Arianna Llechu, and Sophia Cameratta. Models sported apparel from 16 local and national clothiers, including White House | Black Market, Brodeur Carvell, Dillard’s, Mondo Uomo, Evelyn & Arthur, Gigi’s Children’s Boutique and more.
Residents of the Pelican Landing community created the Fashion Show in 2010 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. For the third consecutive year, the Fashion Show directed its philanthropy toward mental and behavioral health. Kids’ Minds Matter is the region’s strategic solution to improve access to families seeking pediatric mental and behavioral health services. Guests also supported four Fund-A-Need initiatives: music therapy sessions, teen care packages, behavioral health therapy toys, and the behavioral health center.
The event was supported by an anonymous philanthropic presenting sponsor. Gold Runway Sponsors were Marty and John Howard, and VaNita and Jim Laurito. Silver Runway Sponsors included Angie Nichols, Carol Wood and Claire McMahon Team (John R. Wood Realtors), Don Blake (Picket Fence Appraisals), Kathie and Dave Shellenbarger, Pat Smart, Cameratta Companies, Dorothy Daly (In Memory of Marian Niehaus), Nancy Near and Friends, Seminole Casino Hotel, Stock Development, Dr. Michael Gressel and Cheri Bush, and Key Private Bank. Bronze Table Sponsors include Altaira Social, Bank of America Private Bank, Bob and Gail Hanson, Mary McVay, Maryanne Kennedy (Downing Frye Realty, Inc.), Sandra and Jack Adams, Amy Quaremba and Friends, Diane Lepola (UBS Financial Services), Genesis Wealth Management (UBS Financial Services), Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa, Vi at Bentley Village. Magazine sponsor was èBella Magazine.
Over the past nine years, the Fashion Show has raised more than $900,000 to support Golisano Children’s Hospital and its initiatives. For more information about the Golisano Children’s Hospital Fashion Show, other special events, and ways to support world-class pediatric health care in Southwest Florida, visit LeeHealthFoundation.org/Golisano.
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 three years. It is the only recognized children’s hospital in Southwest Florida and provides specialized care for kids 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.