Spirit of the Holidays events offer support
There will be three events on Fort Myers Beach in the upcoming weeks that will serve as fundraisers for children who need assistance during the holiday season.
Spirit of the Holidays officials, including folks from the Red Coconut RV Park, Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce and the Fort Myers Beach Fire Department, are hoping Beach residents and business members will attend one or all of the benefit events and get into the spirit of helping children in need of assistance for the Christmas holiday season.
On Tuesday, Dec. 6, South Beach Grille will host the annual Spirit Auction at its 7205 Estero Blvd. location. The benefit dinner at 6 p.m. has offered a live auction, a silent auction as well as a regular raffle and a 50/50 raffle in the past. South Beach Grille has given back $10 from each paid dinner to the cause.
On Dec. 10, come out and support the annual Spirit Pancake Breakfast at Red Coconut RV Park at 3001 Estero Blvd. Members of the RV park, local chamber and Beach Fire Department will be cooking or taking donations in the clubhouse from 7 to 11 a.m. for the all-you-can-eat fundraiser.
Then, four days later on Dec. 14, come out to the RV park clubhouse to help in the annual Gift Wrapping Party by aiding in packaging gifts for the needy children. Officials will begin the process at 5:30 p.m. that evening
Proceeds from all the island fundraisers go to the Spirit of the Holidays, a committee spun from the Greater Fort Myers Beach Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation and begun by Red Coconut RV Park Owners Fran and Tom Myers.
Last year, organizers aided more than 70 children and 35 families.
This year, those needing assistance can stop by the FMB Chamber office at 17200 San Carlos Blvd or Red Coconut RV Park at 3001 Estero Blvd. to pick up a form.
Spirit of the Holidays Chairperson Amy Jane Mellott would like to see Beach residents and businesses continue to help in the annual cause.
“Your investment can help make a families’ Christmas holiday a little brighter,” she said. Those wishing to contribute can call Mellott at 463-7200 (ext. 207) or the chamber office at 454-7500 before Christmas Day.
Besides the three events, several businesses are assisting the committee by hosting giving trees. They include Red Coconut, 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 and Merlots Bar & Grille.
If you would like to help make a Beach child’s Christmas this year, please stop by one of the following locations and pick an ornament: Note: some businesses may not have ornaments up until late November.
If you or someone you know with children needs assistance for Christmas, please stop by the Fort Myers Beach Chamber at 17200 San Carlos Blvd or Red Coconut RV Park at 3001 Estero Blvd. to pick up a form. The deadline for assistance applications is Dec. 9.