Scott Fischer Charities presents $60,000 to Valerie’s House to help children coping with grief and loss

Scott Fischer Charities presents $60,000 to Valerie’s House

to help children coping with grief and loss

FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 7, 2022) — Scott Fischer Charities proudly helped to raise $60,000 for Valerie’s House to assist with its mission of helping children and families work through the loss of a loved one together and go on to live fulfilling lives. The donation was originally $20,000 raised through the generosity of sponsors and golfers at the 25th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational organized each year by Scott Fischer and Lisa Sands. Upon learning of Valerie’s House and empathizing with its mission, two additional donors matched that amount, tripling the total donation to $60,000.

“We were so amazed by the generosity of Slaw Dog Invitational sponsors and golfers that resulted in a record-breaking 25^th anniversary charity golf event,” said Fischer, founder of Scott Fischer Charities and owner of Scott Fischer Enterprises. “To be able to triple the amount of our donation to Valerie’s House is just incredible and will truly have a greater impact on these children and their families who are suffering unimaginable loss. To know that they are not alone, and that together we can help them through one of the most challenging times of their lives is so important as they try to move forward.”

The vision of Valerie’s House is that no child will grieve alone. With locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Charlotte County, and Pensacola, Valerie’s House is a special place where children connect with one another and learn the tools to heal after they have experienced the death of someone they love, and that loss doesn’t have to limit their dreams. The dedicated staff and many of the volunteers have lived this journey and genuinely want to help children find hope.

“All of our resources go directly to providing a safe place for children to share, grieve, and grow, and that includes programs for the parents or caregivers in the family too,” said Angela Melvin, founder of Valerie’s House. “Our services are free of charge for grieving families, and children can remain in the program for as long as they need. The generosity of the community through volunteering and donations like this make all the difference in the world.”

Fischer and Sands have carried on the invitational tournament in memory of Paul Sands and his legacy impact on the community. What started on a whim as two close friends reflected on the upcoming holidays after a round of golf, has grown into one of the most highly anticipated annual charity golf tournaments. The first Slaw Dog Invitational raised $5,000, and by 2021, $106,000 was raised in its 25th year with proceeds split between three local charities.

Generous donations have helped to consecutively surpass the event’s annual fundraising goals. David and Charlyn Veracka, representing the entire Rockstar Harley-Davidson family, upped the game by donating $50,000 in 2020, and then matching up to the first $50,000 raised in 2021 to help the event set another record.

The 25th Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational was held on Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the Cypress Lake Golf Club.

Scott Fischer Charities

Scott Fischer Charities is a 501(c)(3) organization founded by Scott Fischer in 2007 out of his passion for his community. The organization has raised and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to support causes and organizations such as Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Any Soldier, REIS Scholarship Fund, Junior Achievement, United Way, PACE Center for Girls, as well as countless other groups supporting veterans, children and the disabled. For more information, visit https://www.sfe-us.com/community-outreach/.

About the Annual Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational

The Paul Sands Memorial Slaw Dog Invitational is an annual golf tournament held every December at the beautiful Cypress Lake Golf Club in Fort Myers to benefit youth charities in Southwest Florida. Paul Sands, a prominent community figure and successful commercial real estate broker with a love for slaw dogs, initiated the tournament with a desire to help local youth around the holidays. Today, his dear friends Scott Fischer and Lisa Sands continue the event in his memory. It has since grown to be one of the most impactful and highly anticipated tournaments in the area, raising nearly $400,000 since its inception in 1996. For more information about the Slaw Dog Invitational, visit https://www.sfe-us.com/slaw-dog-invitational/.

About Valerie’s House

Founded in 2015 by Angela Melvin, Valerie’s House remains the only grief support program in Southwest Florida focused solely on helping children grieve. Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children to bond and heal together following the death of an immediate family member. With programs and venues in Fort Myers and Naples, Valerie’s House helps children and families throughout Lee County, Naples and Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency supported through generous donations from the community. To learn more, visit www.ValeriesHouseSWFL.org or email [email protected].