Busy week ahead for Spirit of the Holidays
Officials from the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and Red Coconut RV Park are gearing up for a busy week ahead to help make sure that several Beach area children have a Merry Christmas this year.
The Spirit of the Holiday committee has three events scheduled beginning Tuesday for fundraising and aiding in the gift-giving process.
On Dec. 6, the long-standing annual Spirit Auction benefit dinner will be held at South Beach Grille at 7205 Estero Blvd. The fundraiser will include a bistro-style dinner with either salmon or steak as the main entree, live auction, silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Cost to attend the fundraiser is $25 per person.
South Beach Grille generously contributes back $10 from each dinner to the cause on an annual basis. Last year, nearly 130 people attended the event and the live auction alone raised nearly $10,000. The committee received requests to aid 72 children and 35 families.
This year, officials from Spirit of the Holidays, a committee spun from the FMB Chamber Foundation, have already received requests to help out nearly 30 children. If you or someone you know with children needs assistance for Christmas, visit Red Coconut or the FMB Chamber office for an application. The deadline for assistance applications is Dec. 9.
“We are still getting requests in on a daily basis,” said Chairperson Amy Jane Mellott. “If you need help, please get your applications in so that we can get them organized and processed.”
On Dec. 10, residents and visitors can drop by Red Coconut RV Park for the Spirit Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Local Fort Myers Beach Fire Fighters and Red Coconut officials will be cooking all the pancakes you can eat and provide orange juice and coffee. K-Kids, a youth club of current Beach school fifth graders sponsored by the Beach Kiwanis, will seat the hungry customers.
The cost of the breakfast is $5.
“We are still seeking food donations for the pancake breakfast. So far, Sun Harvest has donated eight gallons of orange juice and Costco is looking into what they can give,” said Mellott. “We need paper products, coffee products, just-add-water pancake mix. We would love it if some our our local restaurants can help out with these items.”
On Dec. 14, there will be a Gift Wrapping Party at Red Coconut RV Park. Volunteers, food donations, wrapping paper, gift bags, boxes and bows are still needed for this notable cause. The event begins at 5:30 p.m.
On Dec. 23, the FMB Fire District will gather their service vehicles to deliver the gifts to those who have sent in their requests. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and at least one of the elves will be riding on the lead fire truck.
This year, there are several businesses that are assisting with hosting giving trees. If you would like to help put a smile on a Beach child’s face for Christmas this year, stop by one of the following locations and pick an ornament or drop off a gift: Red Coconut; FMB Chamber, Century 21 Tri Power; Bennett Chiropractic; BB&T; Munch Box; Fish Tale Marina; VIP Realty; Moss Marina; Zushi Zushi; Lorrie Wolf Gifts by the Sea; Surf Club; or Merlots Bar & Grille.
“Last year, we had such a huge response to the giving trees. Most of the toys that were wrapped were from the giving trees,” said Mellott. “The giving trees will be up until Dec. 19. Even after the gift-wrapping party, we will still be taking in gifts to handle last-minute forms that are filled.”
Your investment can help make many families’ Christmas holiday a little brighter, so contribute by calling Mellott at 463-7200 (ext. 207) or the chamber office at 454-7500 before Christmas Day.