(Fort Myers, FL) March 8, 2019– Guests went “loco for Coco” at the 25th Annual Storybook Ball honoring Kellie Burns and benefiting Ronald McDonald House Charities® Southwest Florida. 300 guests arrived in colorful evening resort attire to celebrate family, love, music and Mexican culture themed to the Disney movie “Coco.” NBC-2 News anchors Rachel Pierce and Peter Busch emceed the evening honoring their colleague along with celebrity auctioneer Jay Severson.
Piñatas hung from the light fixtures, beautiful guitar and flower arrangements graced the auction area, sugar skull characters posed for photos, and an authentic mariachi band provided a fun and festive sound while guests enjoyed cocktails and perused silent auction tables.
In the popular photo area, guests were wowed by a colorful Mexican serape backdrop, adorned with paper flowers crafted by a very gracious mother staying at the Fort Myers Ronald McDonald House with her son while he is undergoing treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Dance music for the evening was provided by local up and coming favorite, Karribean Groove. In an emotional testimonial, one of the band members spoke about his own experience with Ronald McDonald House, due to his daughter’s battle with Spina bifida.
All proceeds support Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southwest Florida in its mission to create, find and support programs that directly impact the health and well-being of children and their families.
Since its founding in 1996, Ronald McDonald House Charities has helped thousands of children and their families in Southwest Florida through the Ronald McDonald House, Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® Program, Ronald McDonald Family Room® in the Golisano Children’s Hospital.
For information on sponsorship opportunities for 2020, contact Amy Blanco at 239-437-0202.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 7, 2019) – Preparation can be the difference between success and failure for manufacturers. That’s why the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association, or SRMA, is helping businesses find ways to continue generating revenues in a crisis. A roundtable discussion on disaster readiness and business continuity is set for Wednesday, March 13 from 8-9:30 a.m. at CareerSource on 4150 Ford St. Extension in Fort Myers.
Amy Lee, director of business continuity strategy for FloridaMakes, will be the keynote speaker for the event sponsored by Entech. She’ll leverage more than 15 years of experience in manufacturing leadership and her work with Fortune 500, mid-sized and emerging technology companies to delve into risk assessments and more.
“Whether we like it or not, unforeseen events happen to every manufacturer,” SRMA Executive Director Neil Kagan said. “The question is how you respond to them and maintain production. We’ll look at how to do that.”
The cost to attend is $10 for SRMA members and $20 for non-members. Payment is accepted at the door or on srma.net.
A week later, the SRMA and board member Bob Ferris are inviting manufacturers to step away from the machines for an after-hours social on Wednesday, March 20 at 5:30 p.m. The networking event is at Boston Beer Garden on 2396 Immokalee Road in Naples, with half-price drinks until 8 p.m. and a 50-50 raffle for a chance to win a dinner for two.
“You’ll build connections that will help your business, and you’ll get to enjoy yourself while doing so,” Kagan said.
The After Hours Social is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. Payment is accepted at the door or on srma.net, which also has information on a litany of other SRMA member benefits.

About the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association

The purpose and objective of the Southwest Regional Manufacturers Association is to bring together manufacturers to encourage the economic development of Southwest Florida through manufacturing, and to act as a forum for the expression and exchange of ideas and information among its members. The SRMA provides an advocacy platform for the general welfare of its members in the face of economic, civic and educational challenges. It encourages cooperation, information sharing and mutual aid, fostering social relationships and community involvement. Visit srma.net for more information.

(Fort Myers, FL) March 6, 2018– 22 local celebrities painted 22 platters for Ronald McDonald House Charities® 22nd Anniversary and will celebrate “Eat. Clay. Love… Once Again” on March 28th at the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Myers. The event begins at 5:30 pm with hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, followed by an auction of the platters and a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Brian Roland of CRAVE Culinaire. Complimentary valet parking will be available.
Featured Artists:

• Armando Llechu, Chief Administrative Officer- Golisano Children’s Hospital
• Barbara Fewster, Artist and Retired RMHC Board Member
• Brian Roland, Chef and Owner- Crave Culinaire/Venue Naples
• Chris Spiro, Chief Creative Officer- Spiro & Associates
• Cindy McCurry-Ross, Executive Editor and VP of Content at The News-Press Media Group
• Doug MacGregor, Arts in Healthcare Coordinator- Lee Health
• Jenna Persons, Attorney and Counsellor at Law- Strayhorn & Persons, P.L.
• Laura Ragain, Executive Director- Ronald McDonald House Charities Southwest Florida
• Mark Loren, Owner- Mark Loren Designs
• Mayor Joe Coviello
• Diane Coviello
• Michele Eddy, Community Volunteer
• Mike Dolch, Senior Events Manager- Hyatt Regency Coconut Point
• Phil Borchman, Editor- Gulfshore Business
• Rachel Pierce, NBC2 News Anchor
• Rebekah MacFarlane Barney, Chief Operating Officer of Prima Luce and Co-owner of MacFarlane Barney Development
• Richie Castiano, Owner- The World-Famous Cigar Bar
• Sawyer Smith, Attorney- Wilbur Smith Attorneys at Law
• Shannon Yates, Chef/Owner- Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery, Beastie Bar, and Danger Danger.
• Stefanie Ink-Edwards, Director of Development & Community Outreach- Community Cooperative
• Stephanie Davis aka Downtown Diva- Social Commentator and Event Photographer at Florida Weekly
• Tia Knapp, Owner- Cone 06 Pottery Painting Studio

Tickets are $150 per person. To reserve your seat and for more information, please visit www.rmhcswfl.org/events or call Amy at 239-437-0202.
About Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Southwest Florida
Since its founding in 1996, Ronald McDonald House has served thousands of families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Glades and Hendry counties, and other states and countries. Here, families find a “home away from home” while their children are undergoing medical treatment at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. Additional thousands are served by the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile® program, two mobile healthcare units providing medical and dental services to underserved children, and by the Ronald McDonald Family Room®, located in Golisano Children’s Hospital.

American Legion bringing Vietnam War memorial to Fort Myers
Exhibit to honor fallen veterans, help local charities
FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 5, 2019) – A testament to service members who made the ultimate sacrifice is coming to JetBlue Park. The Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall will be on display Sept. 7-8 from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day, courtesy of the Rabe O. Wilkison American Legion Post 38 and the Colonial Charitable Foundation.
The mobile wall replicates the iconic black granite memorial in Washington, D.C. at three-fifths its size. Etched into the traveling monument are more than 58,000 names of those who gave their lives or remain missing.
“Many who lost loved ones in Vietnam have a hard time getting to Washington, but the traveling wall allows them to easily connect with this stirring reminder of their valor,” Post 38 Cmdr. Kevin Boyd said. “It’s an opportunity for everyone to pay respects, to learn our history, and to honor these courageous men and women who gave their lives for our country.”
Those in attendance will be able to touch the wall and rub pencil over paper where their loved ones are listed, just as many do to preserve a memento of the wall in Washington. An area for solemn reflection will be set up nearby.
Money from the sale of food and beer at the event will go toward local charities that promote education, fight hunger and support veterans. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting George Tice at [email protected] or 239-738-0601, or Jim Squadrito at 401-261-9096 or [email protected].
The wall will be on display 100 years to the week that Post 38 was founded, which happened just months after the first American Legion post was established in Washington. Now the largest veterans service organization in the U.S., the American Legion has events planned throughout the country this year to mark its centennial.
Visit centennial.legion.org to find out about the legacy of the American Legion, and go to travelingwall.us to learn about the mobile exhibit.
About The American Legion Post 38
The American Legion was chartered and incorporated by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization devoted to mutual helpfulness. Months later, on Sept. 5, 1919, Post 38 in Fort Myers became the first American Legion post in southern Florida. Named the Rabe O. Wilkison Post after a Fort Myers man who lost his life bravely fighting in World War I, the organization welcomes veterans from all branches of the U.S. armed forces to continue serving God, country and community. Members seek to serve the underserved by raising money to award scholarships to Southwest Florida children, giving aid and assistance to veterans in need, and supporting a number of other community programs and projects. Visit post38-swfl.org to learn how to join.
About Colonial Charitable Foundation
The Mission of the Colonial Charitable Foundation is to support local charities, programs and individuals in the greater Fort Myers and Lee County area that may not be served by other organizations. The Foundation is funded through the generous support of the Colonial Country Club community and other local individuals and businesses.

FORT MYERS | NAPLES, Fla.  The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Florida Southwest Chapter is now accepting Allied Membership Applications for 2019. Allied members may be individuals who otherwise are not eligible to join the AIA, or businesses who support the architectural profession, either through goods or services, or simply a shared interest in our built environment. The chapter hosts many events throughout the year including monthly breakfast meetings for the Naples and Ft. Myers sections, Continuing Education classes and presentations, a lecture series, and our Annual Design Conference and Design Awards. Allied membership is separate at each level of the AIA: national, state, and local. Supporting the local chapter with your membership will provide the most direct connection to the community where you do business. More information on Allied Membership Benefits, levels of Membership and The 2019 Allied Membership Application can be found on the website at www.aiaflasw.org.
About AIA Florida Southwest
AIA Florida Southwest is a Chapter of The American Institute of Architects, serving nearly 200 members and the communities of Charlotte, Glades, Hendry, Lee, and Collier Counties. The mission of the organization is to orchestrate and unite the architects of Southwest Florida to promote the profession; to advance the science and art of planning and building; to coordinate the building industry and architectural firms to ensure the advancement of building standards, and to make the profession of ever-increasing service and value to society.  Please visit the AIA Florida Southwest website at www.aiaflasw.org.
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Mar. 4, 2019) – Choice and creativity are the hallmarks of the more than 120 official specialty license plate designs available in Florida. The Kids Tag Art program was created to keep those qualities around for generations to come. The Lee County Tax Collector’s Office presented checks totaling $34,400 to 48 Lee County public schools and honored nearly 100 children as part of a recent ceremony celebrating Kids Tag Art, a partnership between Lee County Tax Collector’s Office and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools.
 
The program encourages fifth-grade students to come up with front-end license plate designs, with this year’s “Sizzle N’ The Arts” theme serving as a prompt. The winning designs will be sold at leetc.com, with proceeds going toward the schools. The Tax Collector’s Office also sells sponsorships of the program, raising even more money that goes to fund elementary-level art classes.
 
“It’s heartwarming to see how Kids Tag Art inspires so many young minds here in our community,” Lee County Tax Collector Larry Hart said. “The program helps offset a lack of funding for art education, and it also shows students how they can apply their art in commerce, as witnessed by all the plate designs we have for sale.”
 
Two students from each of the participating schools received the Award of Distinction for their designs during the ceremony held at school district headquarters on Feb. 27. The Award of Distinction-winning designs will be available for purchase at leetc.com starting March 13 for $20 plus $7.50 shipping and handling. The designs can also be purchased as a mug or a mousepad.
 
Hart’s favorite design will also be for sale on leetc.com later in March. He’ll honor the student designer with the Tax Collector Choice Award in a surprise ceremony at the student designer’s school.
 
AAA – The Auto Club Group is the program’s Premier Sponsor. Prominent Sponsors are Sam Galloway Ford, eGOV and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Several other community sponsors support Kids Tag Art, including the Cape Coral Community Foundation, Chris-Tel Construction, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, Miami Heart Research Institute, Lee County Electric Cooperative, Merrill Lynch, and Strayhorn & Persons, P.L.
 
Sponsorships for next year’s Kids Tag Art program are available by calling the Lee County Tax Collector’s Communications Department at 239-533-6060. Call Beverly Burke of The Foundation for Lee County Public Schools Inc. at 239-337-0433 for program information.
 
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.
 
 

FORT MYERS, FL (February 24, 2019) – The Laboratory Theater of Florida’s award-winning education department will be holding a Spring Conservatory Camp March 15th – 22nd for students aged 9 – 14.
 
Spring Conservatory provides the opportunity to sharpen the budding actor’s theatrical skill sets. Our educators are all teaching and/or theater professionals. Students will be able to learn about and participate in all aspects of creating a theatrical performance. Whether it is on acting on stage, working behind the scenes, creating sets, or helping with tech, the Spring Conservatory covers it all.
Each day will offer a different intensive lesson. This is a hands-on, interactive camp with theater professionals; a completely immersive experience that has proven to be both successful and enjoyable by previous campers. Spring Conservatory runs from 9 am – 4 pm each day and is $150 for the entire theatrical experience, but campers may opt to attend for only the skills they need to enhance. The daily rate is $45/day. Sibling discounts are available for both the entire experience as well as for daily classes.
 
Friday, March 15: How to Audition
Monday, March 18: Movement Day
Tuesday, March 19: Props and Costumes
Wednesday, March 20: Acting and Memorization
Thursday, March 21: Lighting and Sound
Friday, March 22: Set design and construction
Registration is required. For registration forms please call The Laboratory Theater of Florida’s Education Department at 239-841-4250 or register online at www.laboratorytheaterflorida.com
 
ABOUT THE LABORATORY THEATER OF FLORIDA
The Laboratory Theater of Florida, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is dedicated to the promotion of the performing arts, through live performance, education, community outreach, experimentation, and the development of ensemble work. The company features ensemble productions, produces classic works, takes artistic risks, which both feature and challenge local performers. For more information visit www.LaboratoryTheaterFlorida.com or the physical location at 1634 Woodford Avenue, in the Fort Myers River District.
 
Laboratory Theater of Florida Logo
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Feb. 27, 2019) – A former “American Idol” finalist will serenade tennis fans at the Madisen’s Match VIP Hospitality Terrace. Sam Woolf, whose smooth voice carried him into the top five during the 2014 season of “American Idol,” will perform exclusively for VIP Hospitality Terrace passholders from 5-7 p.m. March 18 prior to the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pro Tennis Classic.
 
Woolf is a highly collaborative singer-songwriter known for his original compositions and pitch perfect vocals. He co-headlined the 2015 Lakewood Ranch Winterfest with the Doobie Brothers, War, and Jefferson Starship. His debut EP, “Pretend,” hit No. 9 on the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
 
“We’re thrilled to have Sam here with us for the first time. He has such an amazing voice,” Madisen’s Match founder Duane Chaney said. “We’re always looking for ways to give our fans something new, and we’re really excited about the new VIP Hospitality Terrace.”
 
Terrace passholders will receive complimentary food and drinks from the Timbers, LYNQ, the Prawnbroker, University Grill and Society. Celebrity pros may make appearances on the terrace before their matches in the Golisano Children’s Hospital Pro Tennis Classic, which features Mike and Bob Bryan, Sam Querrey, Taylor Fritz, Robby Ginepri, Mikael Pernfors and Don Johnson.
 
Terrace passes are included with Fort Myers Land Rover Baseline Club and Court Side Club seating. Passes are available for $75 to all other Golisano Children’s Hospital Pro Tennis Classic ticketholders. Visit http://www.madisensmatch.com/vipseating and http://www.madisensmatch.com/vipterrace to purchase.
 
Proceeds from all Madisen’s Match events benefit local cancer treatment programs. Madisen’s Match has raised more than $1 million since it began in 2009 as a tribute to Madisen Abramson, Chaney’s niece, who was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor at age 3.
 
Visit madisensmatch.com to learn more about the event and samwoolfmusic.com to hear why Woolf is winning so many accolades for his music.
 
About Madisen’s Match
Duane Chaney established Madisen’s Match in 2008 after his 3-year-old niece, Madisen Abramson, was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Inspired by Madisen and determined to help others, Chaney created Madisen’s Match to use tennis as a way to raise funds for pediatric and adult cancer charities. To date, the events have raised more than $1 million to benefit national and Southwest Florida-based charities like the Brain Tumor Navigator Program at the Regional Cancer Center, Barbara’s Friends – The Golisano Children’s Hospital Cancer Center Fund, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, and the Tim and Tom Gullikson Foundation. For more information, visit madisensmatch.com.
 
 

Note to Media: Nearly 100 creative kids will receive awards, and local schools will get much-needed funding. The fifth-graders created winning designs for decorative front-end license plates in their art classes through the fourth annual Lee County Tax Collector Kids Tag Art program. The Tax Collector’s Office is presenting a $34,000 check to the School District of Lee County with money raised through sponsorships and the sale of the tags. Award of Distinction certificates will go to two students from each of the 48 participating schools.
We look forward to seeing you there.
WHAT: Kids Tag Art award and check presentation ceremony.
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 5 p.m.
WHERE: Lee County School District headquarters, 2855 Colonial Blvd., Fort Myers.
WHY: To help fund art education and honor student creativity.
CONTACT: Josh Milton, CONRIC PR & Marketing, 239-690-9840, [email protected]. Media who attend should call Angie Filian at 973-568-5065 to gain access to the building.