Member News

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 16, 2020) — Volunteers of America, the non-profit parent organization of Cape Coral’s Gulf Coast Village, has opened The Preserve, a three-story, 118,000-square-foot skilled nursing and assisted living community at the new Hope Preserve Campus in south Fort Myers.

Located at 14750 Hope Center Loop, at the corner of Six Mile Cypress Parkway and Plantation Road, The Preserve offers 75 private skilled nursing suites for senior residents with specialized or advanced health care needs, as well as 21 boutique assisted living apartments and 17 memory support suites.

“The Preserve is a critical resource for post-acute care, offering high-quality medical services, rehabilitative care and social programs,” said Kevin Ahmadi, area director of operations for Volunteers of America, the non-profit organization that sponsors The Preserve. “The community offers an intimate, boutique-style setting, providing a continuum of care and personalized services all delivered with exceptional hospitality. Residents can rest assured that as health needs change, additional care is available on site.”

Life at The Preserve is focused on comfort, security and wellness. Residents enjoy multiple restaurant-style dining venues, courtyards, libraries, technology rooms and unsurpassed therapy amenities enhance private suites with screened lanais at The Preserve.

The Preserve offers a resident-centered care model. Highly-trained staff members and licensed professionals provide continuous medical support and foster a culture of caring and hospitality, creating specialized programs focused on rehabilitative and restorative care.

Resident units are designed around four “neighborhoods,” each offering its own social, dining and staff support areas. A dedicated memory support neighborhood caters specifically to residents with dementia needing a secured living setting in addition to 24/7 medical assistance. Within The Preserve’s Occupational and Physical Therapy Suite is a Balance and Vestibular Retraining Center that provides therapeutic intervention for residents exhibiting symptoms of balance control, vertigo and dizziness.

The Preserve is the first building at the Hope Preserve Campus designed to include multiple facilities and organizations dedicated to care for seniors and for people with clinically complex illnesses. It’s all part of one of the area’s first medical mixed-use projects that will include retail, hospitality and other uses with diverse senior medical services unrivaled in Southwest Florida.

About Volunteers of America

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, faith-based organization dedicated to helping those in need live healthy, safe and productive lives. Since 1896, our ministry of service has supported and empowered America’s most vulnerable groups, including veterans, seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth, men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families, those recovering from addictions and many others. Through hundreds of human service programs, including housing and health care, Volunteers of America helps more than 1.4 million people in over 400 communities. Learn more at www.voa.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 15, 2020) – As a precaution and in support of community efforts to suppress the spread of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC) will be closing its day training programs from March 16th through Monday, March 30th, 2020.  Staff at LARC will be monitoring developments between now and March 30th and share additional plans as they are finalized.
 
This update is based on current information as of Sunday, March 15. LARC continues to monitor guidelines from the Center for Disease Control (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html), the State of Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities and local government.
 
“LARC has had no known cases of staff, clients, visitors or program participants who have been exposed to or are exhibiting symptoms consistent with those of COVID-19,” said Kevin Lewis, Executive Director of LARC.  “This decision is based on several factors, including the organization’s practice to follow the procedures of the Lee County School District, statewide and national efforts to reduce the potential spread of COVID-19 and the mission we have to support our vulnerable population and their families.  We ask your assistance and cooperation in these efforts – working together is the best way to protect everyone’s health and well-being.”
 

1. The most effective prevention strategies to date include good personal hygiene such as frequent and effective handwashing, minimizing touching of others when possible, social distancing, not sharing food or drinks, and covering your mouth/nose when coughing or sneezing.
2. People exhibiting signs of illness are asked to stay home in order to avoid the risk of infecting others.  These signs can include dry coughs, a fever or signs of other illnesses (such as a sore throat) that may be infectious.
3. Participants, employees and families are urged to follow current guidelines (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html) with respect to their activities or to seek medical attention if symptoms emerge.

 
Updates will be provided on LARC’s Facebook page, website (www.larcleecounty.org) and personal communication, including email and phone calls.
 
For further information contact Kevin Lewis at (239) 334-6284 x210, (239) 989-1005 or [email protected]
 
About LARC
Established in 1954, LARC Inc.’s mission is to empower and support individuals with disabilities and their families to reach their full potential. LARC is a 501(c)3 that provides programs and services for approximately 300 local men and women annually. The nonprofit offers youth programs, vocational training, community residential services, and a vast array of other state-of-the-art community inclusion services on a full-time, year-round basis.  LARC’s main campus is located at 2570 Hanson Street, Fort Myers, and has a satellite campus in Bonita Springs.  LARC also operates two Residential Group Homes located in Cape Coral and North Fort Myers.
 
 
 
 
 

More than 4,000 Lee County residents will be impacted by Executive Order 20-52.
 
The Lee County Tax Collector is urging Lee County residents to call or visit the official website before coming to any of its locations. Many services can be accomplished online or over the phone and do not require an in-person visit. Visit www.leetc.com or call 239-533-6000 with any questions prior to your visit.
 
About Lee County Tax Collector
The Lee County Tax Collector (LCTC) exists to serve the citizens of Lee County. The office takes pride in organizational excellence and offering exemplary customer service and operates by the credo of “We’ve got your back.” The LCTC operates leetc.com, the official interactive website of the tax collector, which allows county residents to quickly and easily take care of motor vehicle and vessel registration, pay property taxes, make appointments for concealed weapon permits and more. The agency operates seven service centers open daily throughout the county to provide efficient, convenient services. The LCTC works to provide innovative and quality service that supports the growth and sustainability of the community. For more information, visit leetc.com or follow Lee County Tax Collector on social media.
 
Josh Milton, Vice President of Media Relations
CONRIC PR & Marketing
5237 Summerlin Commons Blvd, Suite 307
Fort Myers, FL 33907
239-690-9840 ext. 1004
[email protected] | ConricPR.com
 
 

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (March 13, 2020) – Effective immediately, the Seminole Tribe of Florida will temporarily close the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum and Billie Swamp Safari, which are located on the Big Cypress Reservation.
 
The closings are out of an abundance of caution due to the COVID-19 virus, Staff at both venues are being scheduled, accordingly.
 
The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is home to more than 180,000 unique artifacts and archival items. Visitors can learn about the Seminole people and experience their rich cultural and historical ties to the Southeast and Florida.
 
Billie Swamp Safari covers 2,200 acres of untamed Florida Everglades preserved in its pristine state by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Guests can experience the wonders of nature via airboat rides and swamp buggy tours. Additionally, there are animal exhibits and shows.
 
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 6, 2020) – Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are now available for the eighth annual “Breaking Par at Grandezza” Gala Dinner & Golf Tournament to benefit Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida and its flagship program, the CEO Academy at Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). The two-day event will be held March 19-20 at The Club at Grandezza, 11481 Grande Oak Blvd. in Estero.

Since 1919, Junior Achievement’s mission has been to empower young people to own their economic success, plan for their futures and make smart academic and economic choices. For over 100 years, Junior Achievement has relied on dedicated volunteers and fundraising to carry out that mission.

Event festivities will kick off with an elegant Gala Dinner starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, featuring delicious cuisine amid an incredible live and silent auction. The signature Shotgun Scramble Golf Tournament, which features students from the PGA Golf Management Program at FGCU, will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 20. The two-day event wraps up with an awards ceremony and scrumptious buffet, and an opportunity to win fabulous prizes.

“Breaking Par at Grandezza” serves as the primary funding source for the CEO Academy. In partnership with FGCU, the CEO Academy is a “model” weeklong shark tank-style summer camp for Southwest Florida’s rising high school juniors and seniors, and led by Dr. Sandra Kauanui, director of the Institute for Entrepreneurship at FGCU.

Over the past seven years, “Breaking Par at Grandezza” event proceeds have contributed more than $382,000 in funding to support Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida’s CEO Academy as well as its educational in-class and after-class programs at schools throughout Southwest Florida.

Tickets for the March 19 Gala Dinner are $100, and registration for the Shotgun Scramble and Awards Ceremony is $150. To purchase tickets or for sponsorship opportunities, please visit https://www.juniorachievement.org/web/ja-swflor/ja-golf-event. For more information, visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].

About Junior Achievement:

Junior Achievement is the world’s largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. Junior Achievement programs are delivered by corporate and community volunteers, and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Today, JA reaches more than 4.8 million students per year in more than 107 markets across the United States, with an additional 5.2 million students served by operations over 100 other countries worldwide. Locally, Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida partnered with more than 270 classroom business volunteers during the 2018-2019 school year to provide nearly 70,200 hours of instruction to nearly 12,500 students in 520 classes throughout Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties. For more information on Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, visit www.JASWFL.org, call 239-225-2590 or email [email protected].

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Media Contact:

Emily Golden, Priority Marketing, [email protected], 239-267-2638 or 239-565-1595 (cell)

Please note the following events at Shell Point Retirement Community have been canceled.

• FGCU Wind Orchestra concert, March 19
• Two-Dimensional Art Show and Sale, March 20-21
• Peter Bergin concert, March 25
• Jay Saccaro Medical Breakthroughs seminar, March 30

Lani Kai Island Resort continues to host #1 Spring Break party in SWFL
Spring Break 2020 has already been off to a busy start – and that will continue at the Lani Kai Island Resort through the entire month of March.
The Cincinnati Firemen still have several benefit variety shows remaining on the specialty stage through March 19 (no show March 16), and several other special events are coming up within the next couple of weeks.
Double DJs continue scratching the latest mixes and tracks from the sand while hosting plenty of beach games and tournaments – including the ONLY resort where you can play life-sized beer pong, and many special events coming up, including:

• Foreign Fantasy Night with the Naples Hammerhead Rugby Team
  Friday, March 20, 8 to 11 p.m.
  A spicy evening hosted by the Hammerhead Rugby Team, featuring a variety show that raises funds for their non-profit endeavors. Takes place in the Sabal Palm room, $10 entry at the door that goes to the rugby team’s non-profit charity, cash bar all evening. 21+ show.

• Sunset Sound Stage meet-and-greet with Afro B and 105.5 The Beat


Saturday, March 21, from 6 to 8 p.m.

105.5 The Beat, Southwest Florida’s Party Station is bringing the BUZZ Artist Afro B to the Lani Kai Saturday, March 21. Come out and watch the afrobeats superstar perform just in time to catch a sexy Southwest Florida Sunset on Fort Myers Beach with a performance from Afro B bringing the party to the 239 – followed by a meet-and-greet in the Lani Kai’s Sabal Palm room after that. No cost to attend, all ages welcome.
 

• Utopia Bash hookah afternoon in Key West Cove

Sunday, March 22, 3:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Come out to the Lani Kai’s all-new Key West Cove for Utopia Bash featuring DJ Daddie Fresh and freshly packed hookahs by the Mystic Martian Hookah Company. This is a 21+ event with NO cost for entry.
Sunset Sound Stage meet-and-greet with Skip Marley and 105.5 The Beat

Saturday, March 28, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

Skip Marley (grandson of Bob Marley) will perform live on the beach stage of the Lani Kai Saturday, March 28, hosted by 105.5 The Beat, Southwest Florida’s Party Station. This On The Verge artist Skip Marley will perform just in time for the beach’s legendary sunset, and then head up to the Sabal Palm room for a meet-and-greet. Admission is free for all ages.
And enjoy these continued daily events throughout the rest of March:
• Double DJs all day long from our beach stage, featuring DJ G-Ride and DJ TK and guest DJs from around Southwest Florida, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Double DJs all night long in our ground-level Club Ohana nightclub, also featuring guest DJs from around Southwest Florida, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Beach games and tournaments in the sand all day, including life-sized beer pong, hula hoop competitions, potato sack races, cornhole tourneys, water balloon contests, bean-bag and horseshoe contests, spike ball, life-sized Jenga tourneys and more –– all for prizes.
• Various strong-man and strong-woman competitions for prizes
• Tug of war competitions for prizes
• More live remotes from some of the most popular radio stations around
• Never a charge to get into any of our regular events or venues. If drinking, wristbands are needed with proper ID, 21 and up; please party responsibly.
For a complete list of ongoing Spring Break activities taking place at the iconic Spring Break Central resort on Fort Myers Beach, or for your very own official Lani Kai Spring Break merch, visit LaniKaiIslandResort.com or call 239-463-3111.

FWC staff is taking a precautionary step to help curb the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) by postponing the last 3 scheduled stakeholder meetings related to chronic wasting disease (CWD). The postponed meetings are as follows: March 23 in Milton, March 24 in Panama City, and March 25 in Tallahassee.
The FWC already has conducted 5 of the 8 planned meetings to seek feedback on a draft rule amendment, which if passed, would prohibit importing or possessing carcasses or certain carcass parts from all members of the deer family originating from outside of Florida. This rule amendment is being proposed to reduce the risk of CWD being introduced into or spread throughout Florida.
We’ll follow up with more information regarding the status of these postponed meetings. In the meantime, we invite you to share your feedback using the online commenting tool. Learn more about this proposal: https://myfwc.com/hunting/deer/cwd/
For updates about COVID-19, please visit http://www.floridahealth.gov/diseases-and-conditions/COVID-19/.

Agencies and designers recognized for creative excellence in advertising
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 13, 2020) — The local advertising industry’s best shined bright at the ADDY Awards Gala held on Saturday Feb. 29 at the Holiday Inn Fort Myers Airport-Town Center. Nearly 150 people gathered to recognize the top submissions from the close to 200 projects entered into the American Advertising Awards competition.
The American Advertising Federation–Southwest Florida chapter hosted MAD MEN & WOMEN – Legends of Advertising to honor the region’s top agencies, advertisers, producers, and independent professionals. The organization also saluted the original “Mad Woman,” Southwest Florida’s own Myra Janco Daniels.
ADDY® Awards were given to the following agencies and designers:
Myra Janco Daniels Best of Show

• Sherri Morrison Creative Design
• Client: Naples Children & Education Foundation

People’s Choice Award

• Priority Marketing
• Client: SWFL Children’s Charities, Inc.

Best of Print Award

• Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Client: Conservancy of Southwest Florida

Judge’s Choice Award

• Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Client: Conservancy of Southwest Florida

• Wilson Creative Group
• Client: Pete’s Pizzeria

• Wilson Creative Group
• Client: Wilson Creative Group

 
Best of Digital

• Vectra Digital
• Client: Rosati’s Pizza

 
Best of Electronic Award

• Priority Marketing
• Client: Captiva Cruises

 
Best of Public Service Award

• Celsius Marketing | Interactive
• Client: Cape Coral Animal Shelter

 
Gold Awards

• Celsius Marketing | Interactive
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Mnemonic Agency
• Naples Zoo
• Priority Marketing
• Pushing the Envelope, Inc.
• Sherri Morrison Creative Design Group
• Vectra Digital
• Wilson Creative Group

 
Silver Awards

• AAF-Southwest Florida
• Celsius Marketing | Interactive
• CONRIC PR & Marketing
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida
• Hodges University
• House of Digital
• Local Guides Inc.
• Main Sail Video Productions, Inc.
• Naples Zoo
• NOISE Inc.
• Priority Marketing
• Quenzel & Associates
• Spiro & Associates
• Waterman Broadcasting
• Wilson Creative Group

Conducted annually by the AAF, more than 40,000 entries are submitted each year into the nationwide ADDY Awards. The local ad club phase is the first of the three-tier, national competition. Concurrently, across the country, local entrants vie to win ADDY Awards recognition as the very best in their markets.
At the second tier, local ADDY winners compete against winners from other local clubs in one of 15 district competitions. District ADDY winners are then forwarded to the third tier, the national stage of the American Advertising Awards. Entry in your local ad club competition is the first step toward winning a national ADDY.
Entering the ADDYs supports the advertising industry. AAF uses the proceeds to enhance advertising through programs such as public service, internships, advocacy groups, advertising education and consumer awareness.
ABOUT THE AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION
Established in 1905, the American Advertising Federation acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.” Commonly known as AAF, its membership comprises the nation’s leading advertisers, agencies, and media companies, a national network of local clubs representing 40,000 advertising professionals, and more than 200 college chapters with 5,000 student members.
The American Advertising Federation-Southwest Florida chapter is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization serving Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, and Glades counties. This passionate group of advertising industry leaders better known as AAF-SWFL performs community service, support and education. The organization also exists to provide industry advocacy and knowledge sharing. AAF-SWFL hosts a number of programs and initiatives that support its membership through government relations, professional development, advertising education, mentorships, workplace diversity and inclusion, and recognition of excellence. To become a member, please email the AAF-SWFL membership team at [email protected] or visit aafswfl.com.
 

WASHINGTON – SBA Administrator Jovita Carranza issued the following statement today in response to the President’s address to the nation:
“The President took bold, decisive action to make our 30 million small businesses more resilient to Coronavirus-related economic disruptions. Small businesses are vital economic engines in every community and state, and they have helped make our economy the strongest in the world. Our Agency will work directly with state Governors to provide targeted, low-interest disaster recovery loans to small businesses that have been severely impacted by the situation. Additionally, the SBA continues to assist small businesses with counseling and navigating their own preparedness plans through our network of 68 District Offices and numerous Resource Partners located around the country. The SBA will continue to provide every small business with the most effective and customer-focused response possible during these times of uncertainty.”
Process for Accessing SBA’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Disaster Relief Lending
• The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.
• Any such Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance declaration issued by the SBA makes loans available to small businesses and private, non-profit organizations in designated areas of a state or territory to help alleviate economic injury caused by the Coronavirus (COVID-19).
• SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance will coordinate with the state’s or territory’s Governor to submit the request for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance.
• Once a declaration is made for designated areas within a state, the information on the application process for Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance will be made available to all affected communities.
• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance and can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing.
• These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses without credit available elsewhere; businesses with credit available elsewhere are not eligible. The interest rate for non-profits is 2.75%.
• SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years. Terms are determined on a case-by-case basis, based upon each borrower’s ability to repay.
• SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are just one piece of the expanded focus of the federal government’s coordinated response, and the SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible.
For additional information, please contact the SBA disaster assistance customer service center. Call 1-800-659-2955 (TTY: 1-800-877-8339) or e-mail [email protected].
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.