The Heights Foundation’s Black Jack, Black Cats and Boo’z Raises $18,200 Event Benefits Programs for At-Risk Kids in Harlem Heights

(Fort Myers, Fla. – October 29, 2019) — The Heights Foundation’s Black Jack, Black Cats and Boo’z raised $18,200 to benefit educational programs for at-risk kids in Harlem Heights.  The event, held Saturday, October 26, 2019 at The Heights Center, featured casino games including Black Jack, Craps, Roulette and Poker.
Guests enjoyed live music, a spooky signature cocktail, a silent auction, raffle and door prizes.  Event sponsors included Golisano Children’s Hospital, LEE HEALTH, entech, Mutual of Omaha and Pristine Landscape.  Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Fort Myers, and Fine Folk Pizza provided food for the event.  The emcee was Gina Birch.
Bryan and Christina Filson were awarded best overall costume and most creative costume.  Armando and Tamara Llechu were voted best couple.
“We had a fun evening featuring casino games, costumes and cocktails,” said Kathryn Kelly, President and CEO of The Heights Foundation. “In addition to having a great time, guests supported educational programs at The Heights Center including after-school, summer camp, our charter school and early learning center.”
For more information about The Heights Foundation visit www.heightsfoundation.org or call (239) 482-7706.
 About the Heights Foundation and the Heights Center
The Heights Foundation works to build self-sufficient families in the Harlem Heights neighborhood.  The mission is to support education and wellness, promote family and community development, and provide the benefits of enrichment and the arts.  The Heights Center, supported by The Heights Foundation, is a place for Education, Opportunity, and Enrichment.   GLAD Kids is a child care and pre-k center serving more than 80 children birth-five.  The Harlem Heights Community Charter School currently serves kindergarten through third grade and will expand to serve up to fifth grade.
Harlem Heights was originally settled as a rural agricultural community.   Approximately 780 children live in a mixture of single-family homes and multi-family apartments. Demographically, the population is approximately 70% Hispanic, 20% African-American, and 8% Caucasian. The poverty rate for children in Harlem Heights is more than twice the county average, with family income 40% below the county average. Families are not able to easily access family support services located in downtown Fort Myers, and benefit greatly from programs located within the neighborhood.