‘Summer Bash’ to benefit kids in need
A fundraiser at a Cape Coral brewery this weekend will benefit Lee County children in need.
The Summer Bash event will take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Big Blue Brewing, at 4721 S.E. 10th Place. Proceeds from the event will help Eva’s Closet & Foundation in Fort Myers.
According to its website, the non-profit organization provides free school uniforms, clothing, shoes, household items, baby supplies and food to Title 1 schools, children and families in Southwest Florida. Founder Jessica Goodall explained that she has a voucher program in place with the school district.
“Every month, I help sometimes over 60 families and well over 100 kids,” she said.
Eva’s Closet assists the needy, as well as foster families, domestic violence victims and more.
“I help a lot of variety of populations in need,” Goodall said.
Saturday’s fundraiser will be a first for the organization.
“The idea is to raise funds for my organization and also to collect back-to-school supplies, so it’s kind of a combination event,” she said.
Some of the needed items include backpacks, school uniform clothing and school supplies, such as markers, notebooks, pencils, highlighters and crayons, which will be distributed to the families.
“The most effective items are new backpacks and school uniform clothing,” Goodall said.
She noted that gently-used school uniform clothing will be accepted.
“As long as it’s in wearable good condition,” Goodall said.
As for supplies, things like notebooks, highlighters and crayons are in high demand.
During the fundraiser, there will be a silent auction and raffle drawings.
Some of the items up for grabs include artwork, gift certificates to restaurants, jewelry from Dunkin’s Diamonds, tickets to The Florida Aquarium in Tampa and the Escape Room Adventures in Fort Myers, a Palm City Brewing gift basket, gift certificates for an airboat company in Everglades City and more.
“I try to do a mix of different stuff,” she said.
There will also be a 50/50 raffle.
Live music will be provided by the Cape-based band MFYF.
“It’s mostly classic rock type of stuff,” Goodall said.
Face painting will be available on site, with a portion of the sales going to the cause.
“She’s giving 20 percent of the proceeds to me,” she said.
There will be water balloons and a watermelon eating contest for children.
“The kiddos can just eat it, too,” she said.
At about 2 p.m., Big Blue Brewing will offer a tour of its brewery.
“The tour is free,” Goodall said.
She encouraged the public to come and show their support.
“Everybody who supports us allows us to continue doing our work,” Goodall said.
For information, contact 239-339-3216 or evasclosetinc@gmail.com. People can also visit: www.evas-foundation.org/ or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/evasclosetflorida/.
Eva’s Closet and Foundation is at 16331 Old US 41, Suite 101, Fort Myers.