Member News

September 20, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA – Looking for a place to bring your kids for Halloween?  Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) is hosting family-friendly Halloween events this October.
Local families are invited to trick-or-treat and enjoy spooky activities for free at the Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus, Charlotte Campus, Collier Campus, or Hendry/Glades Curtis Center.
“The Southwest Florida community looks forward to our Halloween nights every year and we’re excited to welcome them back to one of our three campuses or regional center,” said Dr. Sholondo Campbell, Director, Office of Student Engagement. “Our students are responsible for coordinating much of what happens at these events, and they bring their friends and families to join in the fun.”
FSW student clubs and organizations decorate rooms, build haunted houses, and even perform as ghosts or monsters. Guests of our Halloween events can also expect to enjoy costume contests, games, face painting, crafts, treats, and more.
Thomas Edison (Lee) Campus
“Fright Night”
Tuesday, Oct. 30
6-8 p.m.
Building U, Room 102
8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers
(239) 489-9246
* NOTE: After 8 p.m. the event will only be open to current FSW students.
Charlotte Campus
“Haunted College”
Friday, Oct. 26
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Building O
26300 Airport Road, Punta Gorda
(941) 637-5634
Collier Campus
“Haunted Happenings”
Wednesday, Oct. 31
6-9 p.m.
Building N, Room 148
7505 Grand Lely Drive, Naples
(239) 732-3706
Hendry/Glades Curtis Center
“Haunted Happenings”
Thursday, Oct. 25
5-8 p.m.
Building B Community Room
1092 East Cowboy Way, LaBelle
(863) 674-6001
Reach out to individual FSW locations for more details. Only children 12 and under are permitted to wear masks and/or carry fake weapons. Please refrain from wearing inappropriate costumes.
Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
 
 

Fort Myers, Fla (September 17, 2018) – Offshore Sailing School CEO and President, Doris Colgate, announced the company is heading into its 55^th Anniversary Year in 2019, launching course specials and exciting events and programs throughout 2019.
“Steve Colgate and I never imagined what began as an idea on the back of a cocktail napkin in 1964, to start a sailing school in City Island, New York, would thrive for 55 years, allowing us to teach more than 150,000 adults and families how to sail, race and charter on their own. And for all these years, the enthusiastic support and loyalty from our graduates and colleagues in the sailing industry, has enabled us to make our livelihood enjoying the sailing lifestyle, and sharing our passion with family and friends,” Doris Colgate said.
The Colgates recently hosted three generations of family members on a catamaran sailing vacation in the British Virgin Islands. Steve and Doris Colgate created the idea of flotilla sailing vacations decades ago, working with founders of The Moorings and have personally hosted over 100 Colgate Sailing Adventures™ trips to such exotic ports as Tonga, Spain, Greece and the like.
Offshore Sailing School just kicked off a year-long celebration with 15% savings through its Year End Sailing Special on Learn to Sail, Fast Track to Cruising®, and Live Aboard Cruising courses at three premier resort locations on Fort Myers Beach, Captiva Island, and in downtown St. Petersburg, Fla. The company offers certification course packages aboard its 48’ Leopard catamaran from the Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village in Cape Coral, Fla. and training aboard Power Catamarans on Tortola, but those courses are not part of this special.
Next up will be Women’s Weeks in November 2018 and January 2019. These Fast Track to Cruising® courses are for women, taught by one of the company’s female instructors at the Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina on Fort Myers Beach, Fla. In December 2018, the company will host its 3^rd Annual Racing Clinic on Fort Myers Beach, Fla., featuring US Sailing National Coach of the Year and Olympic Sailing Team Coach, Morgan Reeser, among other winning coaches.
The company will hold a record six Colgate Sailing Adventures flotilla vacations in 2019, including the unique, behind-the-scenes “Insider’s Guide to the BVI,” hosted by Offshore Sailing’s popular Caribbean Manager, “Dutch” Jongkind. “Both of the company’s bases at The Moorings in Road Town, Tortola, and the Marriott Autograph Collection Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina, are operational, a credit to the resilience of the residents, workers and visiting tourists to the beautiful British Virgin Islands. The Caribbean islands are very popular cruising grounds for sailors from around the world,” Steve Colgate expressed. Five additional trips will embark from St. Lucia, Grenada, Spain, Agana and Dubrovnik, Croatia. These extraordinary, fun trips are hosted by husband and wife, Nate and Heather Atwater. Nate was the company’s manager in New York several years ago. The company’s flotilla trips in 2018 sold out in Belize, the Greek Islands, and Tahiti.
Also in April 2019 the company will host its 19^th Annual Performance Race Week on Captiva Island, Fla., in conjunction with North Sails’ NorthU.
The company’s 55^th Anniversary Year celebration culminates with its Supporting Sponsor role at the 22^nd Hobie 16 World Championship being held November 1-16, 2019 at one of Offshore Sailing School’s partner resorts, South Seas Island Resort, on Captiva Island, Florida.
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“What makes Offshore Sailing School unique is that we offer turn-key course packages for US Sailing Certification. That means that students receive textbooks in advance, classroom and on-water training by a US Sailing-certified instructor aboard a Colgate 26 (designed for training by Steve Colgate) or 40’-50’ cruising yachts and catamarans, resort accommodations with resort taxes and amenity fees, US Sailing certification, logbook and diploma, graduate lifetime discounts and benefits,” added Doris Colgate.
A full-time Fleet Maintenance Manager keeps Offshore Sailing’s fleet in tip-top shape in Florida, while charter company partners at The Moorings look after the BVI fleet.  The Fast Track to Live Aboard Cruising® course includes all provisions aboard the boat for the week, except two dinners ashore. The company’s most popular combination course provides three US Sailing certifications, Basic Keelboat, Basic Cruising, and Bareboat Charter Cruising, enabling one to skipper a boat up to 50’ upon completion.
In addition to US Sailing certification courses, other Offshore Sailing School activities include 2-hour sailing lessons for resort guests and the public, ‘Tweens & Teens family sailing packages where up to three children ages 7-17 can learn for free with two paid adult tuitions, and team building, leadership development sailing programs and group regattas.
Offshore Sailing School was founded in 1964 by Olympian, America’s Cup Sailor and National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee, Steve Colgate. The school provides a full range of sailing and boating instruction with US Sailing & Powerboat certification – from beginning sailing to racing, advanced cruising, and passage making – at six locations in Florida and the British Virgin Islands. Offshore Sailing School continues its decades-long commitment to the national Leukemia & Lymphoma Society by supporting 40 Leukemia Cup Regattas across the country and LLS Fantasy Sail weekends. The company also supports several other philanthropic causes and organizations located in the areas where its employees live, work and play.
For more information and hi-res images, contact Beth Oliver, Director of Sales and Marketing at 239-985-7516.
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2018) – CONRIC PR & Marketing has promoted Jaimie Miller, APR to vice president of marketing, recognizing her commitment to the continued success of CONRIC and its clients. In her new role, Miller will take on leadership responsibilities and continue to work directly with the CONRIC team to develop, implement, manage and expand the firm’s marketing footprint with regional and national clients.
Miller has helped the award-winning firm serve clients with dedication and attention to detail since joining the team. She has focused on public relations and marketing strategy, project management, client relationship management, business development and branding for the firm’s diverse client base.
“As we continue to grow our reach to serve more nationally recognized companies, it’s with great pleasure that we promote key individuals within our agency, such as Jaimie Miller,” said Connie Ramos-Williams, founder and chief marketing officer of CONRIC PR & Marketing. “Jaimie truly leads by example, understands the value of our company culture and maintains a loyal commitment to the success of our clients.”
The Minnesota native has cultivated a spirit of creativity, outreach and collaboration between members of the firm, clients and the Southwest Florida community. An accredited public relations professional certified by the Universal Accreditation Board, Miller has the tools and skillset to help deliver measurable results.
“I believe great marketing creates an experience for people. It should engage all senses and evoke emotion,” Miller said. “I’m proud to be part of a team that believes in this philosophy and my goal is to continue raising that bar every day.”
Miller graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a focus in public relations. She previously worked as the marketing director for Gulfshore Life magazine and in the same capacity for Riverchase Dermatology. She serves as the vice president of membership for the Southwest Florida chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and volunteers in the United Way ReadingPals Program.
Miller often speaks at community events, like the Goodwill SWFL MicroEnterprise Program, to share her marketing expertise with local business owners and inspire them to success. She will participate in the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer’s in November at North Collier Regional Park to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research.
CONRIC PR & Marketing
Recognized as one of the leading public relations, marketing and advertising agencies in Southwest Florida, CONRIC PR & Marketing was founded by Connie Ramos-Williams in 2007. The award-winning, full-service agency provides strategic brand awareness campaigns, integrated public relations programs, marketing development and consulting services, advertising campaigns, media buys, custom and niche publishing, creative writing and design, digital marketing strategies, website development, and crisis communications strategy and implementation. The firm serves clients in many industry sectors including banking, legal, medical, government, nonprofit, hospitality, manufacturing, construction, building and development, real estate, professional association, and salon and spa. CONRIC is a recipient of multiple Image Awards from the Southwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association and Golden Image Awards from its statewide chapter, and Charlie Awards from the Florida Magazine Association. For more information, call 239-690-9840 or visit ConricPR.com.

Dr. Jeff Allbritten, President, Florida SouthWestern State College, and Dr. Michael Martin, President, Florida Gulf Coast University, will sign a new partnership strengthening ties, easing the transition from FSW to FGCU, and improving the path of higher education for students in southwest Florida.
 WHAT:          Destination FGCU: FSW/FGCU Transfer Program
 WHEN:          Friday, Sept. 28, 1:30 p.m.
 WHERE:        Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall Lobby
8099 College Parkway, Fort Myers
 WHO:            Dr. Jeff Allbritten, Florida SouthWestern State College
Dr. Michael Martin, Florida Gulf Coast University
 Media interviews will be granted following event.
Media Contacts:
 
Jennifer R. Young
Interim Media Liaison
Florida SouthWestern State College
239-489-9101
[email protected]
Kyle McCurry
Director, Media and Public Relations
University Marketing and Communications
Florida Gulf Coast University

1. (239) 745-4507 | m. (828) 508-4073

[email protected]
 
 
 
 
 
 

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 25, 2018) – Dress for Success SW Florida’s Entrepreneurial Spirit Program (E$P) is just days away, with limited space still available for those that wish to attend. The Entrepreneurial Spirit Program provides future women business owners with the tools and support they need to succeed in their career.
The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. at 8961 Conference Drive in Fort Myers. The E$P Dream Team includes four prominent women in the community, who will each cover specific topics that will help inspire and prepare future business owners:

• Angela Cooley, partner at Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A., will discuss business accounting.
• Christina Harris Schwinn, partner at Pavese Law Firm, will discuss legal documentation and incorporation.
• Barbara Melvin, vice president and community lender at First Florida Integrity Bank, will discuss small business lending and SBA loans.
• Connie Ramos-Williams, president and chief marketing officer of CONRIC PR & Marketing, will discuss new business branding and marketing.

All attendees will receive a certification of completion. A suggested donation of $25 to Dress for Success includes continental breakfast and lunch. Limited seating is available, and reservations are required. For more information or to RSVP, call 239-689-4992.
The program is proudly sponsored by CONRIC PR & Marketing, Markham Norton Mosteller Wright and Company, P.A., First Florida Integrity Bank and Pavese Law Firm.
About Dress for Success SW Florida
Dress for Success SW Florida is part of a global movement for change, empowering women to obtain safer and better futures. Since starting operations in 1997, Dress for Success has expanded to more than 150 cities in 23 countries and has helped more than 1 million women work towards self-sufficiency, while providing career wardrobes, employment counseling and mentoring. The Fort Myers location of Dress for Success SW Florida is 12995 S. Cleveland Ave. Suite 153, Fort Myers in the Pinebrook Plaza. The Naples location is 2950 Tamiami Trail N #200, Naples. For information on Dress for Success SW Florida, email [email protected], call (239) 689-4992 or visit swflorida.dressforsuccess.org.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (Sept. 24, 2018) – While other restaurants have been scaling back in the off-season, Society is continuing to grow and is in immediate need of additional employees.
 
On Wednesday, October 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Society located at the Bell Tower Shops, will be hosting a job fair to interview potential employees. This modern American restaurant features multilevel dining and bar options from al fresco dining on the patio, banquette seating in the main dining area, the vibrant rooftop Treehouse with live music as well as their private dining spaces.
 
According to Brad Cozza, owner/partner of Society, they will be hiring for all including hosts, cocktail servers, servers and server assistants, bartenders, barbacks, dishwashers, back of house positions and more.
 
“With our expanded entertainment schedule and hours and our growing dining, private banquet and party business, we are in immediate need of additional friendly, qualified staff to help us meet the needs of our patrons,” said Cozza.
 
Society serves lunch daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. with light bites available from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Dinner is served from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with a late-night-bites menu available on weekend nights.
For more information, visit www.societyfortmyers.com or call 239-334-0900.
 
 
 
 
Contact: Melinda Isley, APR, m.creativepr, 239-274-7736, cell: 239-565-1630, [email protected]
 

SEPTEMBER 24, 2018 – FORT MYERS, FLA. – Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) welcomes the Black Maria Film Festival back to the college for its 37th anniversary tour at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13, at the FSW Thomas Edison Campus, Rush Library Auditorium, Building J, Room 103. Tickets are $10 for the general public, free for FSW students with their Buc Card, and $5 for FSW staff and faculty. Tickets must be purchased at the door in cash.
 
Founded in New Jersey in 1981 to honor Thomas Edison’s pioneering spirit in cinema, this festival celebrates the creative vision of contemporary independent directors by showcasing an eclectic variety of bold short films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes the Black Maria as an Academy Award qualifying festival.  Its annual collection of cutting-edge films travels across the nation to universities, museums and other venues. Festival organizers work directly with the host institution to select a variety of short narrative, experimental, animation and documentary films that are tailored to their particular audience.
 
“This year’s festival selections were curated by students who are currently taking film classes at the college or who are affiliated with our Honors Scholars Program,” said Dr. Wendy Chase, program coordinator, FSW Honors Scholar Program. “They selected these particular films in hopes that they will provide a platform to engage in civil conversations about pressing issues of social justice. The students will facilitate a discussion following the screening.”
 
Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit FSW’s Sustainability Club, which is currently focused on designing a food forest on campus and addressing issues of food insecurity.
 
This year’s films are:
 
“The Driver is Red” – Animation
15 min. by Randall Christopher, San Diego, Calif.
Set in Argentina in 1960, this true crime documentary follows the story of secret agent Zvi Aharoni as he searched for a mysterious man named Ricardo Klement. What he discovered in the remote outskirts of Buenos Aires would send shockwaves around the world.
 
“Mama” – Narrative
10 min. by Mert Canatan, Valencia, Spain
Life can change in a blink of an eye, a thin line separates heaven from hell. You may never know when you have to leave your safe zone until you get the hit and everything that used to be there, is gone in the next minute. This is the story of a Syrian refugee girl, who crossed that thin line and saw her entire life altered forever.
 
“Little Fiel” – Documentary
17 min. by Irina Patkanian, NY, N.Y.
When the Civil War in Mozambique began in 1975, Fiel dos Santos was three years old. He had a large family of five siblings and numerous cousins. Toward the end of the war, Fiel found himself living alone in a dilapidated house with no electricity or water at the age of 14. To overcome depression and madness he started drawing on the walls of the house. Today Fiel is a renowned sculptor and visual artist. He is one of four artists from Mozambique who created Tree of Life a sculpture commissioned and then installed in the British Museum in 2005. Fiel dos Santos is the only member of his family who hasn’t shot a gun. His life’s work is to destroy guns and turn them into art.
 
“Ginevra” – Animation
4 min. by Tess Martin, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Based on Percy Shelley’s poem “The Dirge,” “Ginevra” depicts the aftermath of the murder of a young woman. As her distraught mother looks on, she learns that life after death involves a transition she never could have imagined.
 
“Analog Orange” – Experimental
3 min. by John Hawk, Agua Dulce, Calif.
Lyrical video abstraction created utilizing antique video synthesizers, referencing art forms from Buddhist, Islamic, Native American and 20th century modernist traditions. The process of working with these real-time video synthesizers is intuitive and very similar to improvising on a musical instrument. This all makes for a workflow that constantly produces the unexpected and in so doing becomes a real joy.
 
“Dandelion” – Animation
3 min. by Lisa Talentino, Torino, Italy
The double time Bourrée dance is full of romantic meaning. Dancers come close, reaching towards each other, then they turn away, find and avoid each other, without ever touching. The dandelion flower is a spring oracle. The legend says that lovers give their wishes to the flower and then blow them away to make them come true. “Dandelion” is an antique dance and courting ritual – a dandelion flower to blow desires.
 
“Lady Eva” – Documentary
11 min. by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Honolulu, Hawaii
In the Kingdom of Tonga, the last remaining monarchy in the Pacific, traditional culture clashes with modern religious zealotry. On the eve of the biggest day in her life, a young transgender beauty contestant is given an ultimatum by her Mormon family. They tell her, “If you choose to participate in that pageant, you can pack your bags and get out of this house.” Fiercely determined, Lady Eva takes off on a journey to become her true self – with a little inspiration from Tina Turner along the way.
 
“Lion in a Box” – Documentary
4 min. by Melanie Brown, Los Angeles, Calif.
This first-person documentary recounts one woman’s military training, and the battles she endured to achieve her goals. Created in a short film class for veterans, Brown uses voice-over, photomontage and animation to tell her story. “Lion in a Box” shines a light on the traditional definitions of sacrifice and combat.
 
“Red Lopez” – Narrative
15 min. by Stephen Frandsen and Hadleigh Arnst, Brooklyn, N.Y.
“Red Lopez” is a narrative short about a Mexican-American outlaw who sparked one of the greatest manhunts the West has ever seen. Based on the real-life story of Rafael ‘Red’ Lopez, the film takes us back to 1913, and another immigrant, Julius Sorenson, who emigrated from Denmark. Sorenson, one of the deputies involved in the manhunt, is given the chance to prove himself in his adopted country as he pursues his nemesis.
 
“Insecta” – Experimental
5 min. by Ramey Newell, Vancouver, BC, Canada
“Insecta” questions humans’ relationship with the natural world through the dual lenses of scientific inquiry and the aesthetics of documentary filmmaking. Utilizing archival video and narration in conjunction with original laboratory photography and rhythmic insect sound compositions, the film constructs an increasingly unsettling portrait of human callousness toward non-human animals in our compulsive quests for knowledge and domination of the natural world.
 
“Sans Chlorophyll” – Animation
3 min. by Phil Davis, Baltimore, Md.
A short experimental film created using hundreds of scanned and photographed leaves animated and choreographed in time to an original banjo score by the filmmaker.
 
For more information, contact Dr. Chase at [email protected] or (239) 489-9470, or visit www.blackmariafilmfestival.org.
 
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Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
 
 
 
 

Fort Myers, Florida – Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A., is pleased to announce that Best Lawyers in America® has named Beth Vogelsang the “2019 Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Fort Myers.” Only a single lawyer in each specialty in each community is being honored as the “Lawyer of the Year.” She was also named “Family Law Lawyer of the Year in Fort Myers” in 2015 and 2017.
Vogelsang is Chair of Henderson Franklin’s Family Law Department and a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee. She has more than thirty years of experience practicing law, and has been Board Certified as a Marital and Family Law Specialist since 1992. Vogelsang handles divorce matters of all sizes and her clients come from different walks of life including business owners, professional athletes, physicians, lawyers, teachers, managers, homemakers and retirees. Vogelsang also represents clients needing prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Vogelsang has received much recognition for her work in the divorce and family law field. She has been honored by Florida Super Lawyers magazine (2012-2018) and named one of the Top 50 Women Attorneys in the State. Vogelsang has also been recognized by Best Lawyers in America every year since 2013. She also holds the highest AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell.
Vogelsang received her undergraduate degree from Pepperdine University (B.A., cum laude, 1982) and her law degree from the University of Miami School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude, 1985). She may be reached at 239-344-1302 or by email at [email protected].
Henderson Franklin is the largest, locally-based law firm between Tampa and Miami with over 55 attorneys dedicated to providing a wide range of legal services in the areas of business and tax planning, estate planning, family law, business and civil litigation, eminent domain, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, employment law, real estate, and land use and environmental law. Since 1924, Henderson Franklin has been assisting clients to build their homes, businesses, and communities in Southwest Florida. Henderson Franklin operates offices in Fort Myers, Bonita Springs, Naples and Sanibel Island. For more information on Vogelsang or Henderson Franklin, please visit www.henlaw.com.
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SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 – LaBelle, FLA – Born in Italy to a Jewish mother and a Roman Catholic father, Holocaust survivor Cesare Frustaci will share his story at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) Hendry/Glades Curtis Center, Building A-114, 1092 E. Cowboy Way, LaBelle. The event is free and open to the public.
 
At just two years old, Frustaci’s family was ordered to leave Italy. The family went to Hungary where he and his mother were forced to live inside a Yellow Star house within a Jewish ghetto. Hoping to save him, his mother sent him out onto the streets with only a piece of bread and his baptismal certificate. Frustaci will share his experiences during this time as a child in the Holocaust.
 
Following Frustaci’s presentation, Sam Parish, director of Operations/Educational Specialist at The Holocaust Museum and Education Center, will discuss how persuasion affected the Holocaust.
 
For more information, contact Pam Macander, senior staff assistant, at 863-674-6000.
 
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Florida SouthWestern State College is Southwest Florida’s largest and one of the most affordable institutions of higher education. Annually serving nearly 22,000 students globally, FSW offers a variety of nationally-ranked, career-focused academic programs with two- and four-year degrees, and professional certifications. Students are also active in clubs and programs catered to their interests. FSW debuted its intercollegiate athletics program in January 2016. Visit www.FSW.edu for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Note to Media: Blessings in a Backpack is partnering with local Alliance Financial employees to pack over 500 bags of food for students at Tice Elementary School in Fort Myers.
Local dignitaries will take part, including Bonita Springs Mayor Peter Simmons, Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, Chief Assistant State Attorney Amira Fox, and Fort Myers City Councilwoman Gaile Anthony.
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.
The Media Alert is attached.
WHAT: Corporate packing event
 
WHEN: Thursday, September 27, 3 p.m.
 
WHERE: Alliance Financial, 14021 Metropolis Ave., Fort Myers
 
WHY: It’s increasingly difficult for Southwest Florida parents to feed their children. Inflation, job loss and low wages are profound challenges for many. Blessings in a Backpack works to provide food on the weekends for elementary school children who would otherwise go hungry.
,